2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Brake Software Recall (20V748)
Hyundai Motor America · 8,176 vehicles · Reported December 1, 2020
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 8,176 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance. Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 20V748 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 20V748000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 199 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 1, 2020 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Vehicles | 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric |
| Units affected | 8,176 |
| Component | Service Brakes, Hydraulic > Power Assist > Electric > Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric in recall 20V748?
The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Kona Electric with recall 20V748?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Kona Electric shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 20V748?
Recall 20V748 covers 8,176 vehicles: 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric.
NHTSA lists 8,176 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hyundai | Kona Electric |
What is the fix for the Kona Electric brake software recall?
Yes. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.
When was recall 20V748 announced?
Hyundai Motor America reported recall 20V748 to NHTSA on December 1, 2020.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2020 | Hyundai Motor America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 20V748000. |
This recall was filed 71 months ago. If your Kona Electric was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Kona Electric is part of recall 20V748?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 20V748 is open on your Kona Electric, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Kona Electric vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Kona Electric owners do about recall 20V748?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 20V748000 applies to your Kona Electric.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Hyundai dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Kona Electric owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the brakes.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the brakes have been filed since recall 20V748 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 26 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the brakes. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric: 26 complaints in total, 2 about the brakes
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
After powering on the car, the dashboard displayed multiple brake system warnings, including the brake system warning light and a message on the LCD display that read "Check regenerative brakes." A Hyundai dealer replaced the integrated electric brake unit assembly (invoice attached).
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11669350, filed June 25, 2025
Check regenerative brake warning comes on and the emergency brake applies while driving also when I come to a stop. When I started my car the immediately the light came on. When I cut my car off the light clears. It happens when I’m braking. The regenerative brake light warning is becoming more frequent.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11468863, filed June 12, 2022
Can recall 20V748 make my Kona Electric a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this software recall means their Kona Electric qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Brake defects are safety defects. California's lemon law presumption can apply after two repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, when the manufacturer has been notified directly.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Kona Electric been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Hyundai Kona Electric recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 20V748
Is the 20V748000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Kona Electric is part of recall 20V748000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 20V748000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Hyundai. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.