I see posts saying not to worry ... but, USA 2025 Kona EV - orange light on dash is randomly/intermittently on (mostly) in evenings, even after driving 25-35 miles during the day. I know it may be normal and only be the big battery charging the 12v battery. However, I also read where it could be the signal that something is wrong with 12v battery or system. BACKGROUND: I owned a 2022 Kona EV for 40 months, where the comparable green light was on the front in the "H" emblem. For 2.5+ years, I would find it on quite often (and I drive nearly every day) and was generally told not to worry. However, when recall occurred to drain/replace fluids from big battery, when I picked up car, the dealer said 'Oh, we found your 12v battery had a couple bad cells and we replaced it on warranty.' For the next year, I NEVER saw the green light on again. I had dealer check 12v battery and (supposedly) the 12v system shortly after buying this 2025 car and they said "no problem detected." But, orange light randomly continues. I am keeping a log with pics and circumstances and currently have about 8 random entries over 5 weeks. Before I challenge the dealer again (also have a persistent rattle they couldn't duplicate) on both orange light and rattle, does anyone have comments/perspective on my orange light in light of my 2022 experience with its green light and ultimate resulting find of a bad battery?
Mosh1
The factory Rocket battery is pretty wimpy. Our car that we purchased use at 3 years old and 30K miles, came with a Hyundai branded 26R battery. No problems. Orange light comes on occasionally.
The factory battery is pretty wimpy. Not alot of CCA amps I suspect due to the way the battery is constructed. Hyundai has decided that the EV doesn't need alot of amps to fire up the safety systems and close the traction battery contactors so the battery doesn't have alot of extra capacity.
Once the 12V Rocket battery has died once or twice or the 12V battery has some age on it, it'll never have the same charge capacity and it will require more charging to stay full and it won't be able to power the car's systems if loads are left on for very long such as open doors, etc.
We bought our car ('21 Kona 64KWH) with 30K miles on it at 3 years of age. Someone prior to our ownership installed a Hyundai branded 26R battery. We never have any problems with low battery, episodes where we are stranded b/c the EV systems won't fire up b/c of a low 12V battery, etc. I can leave doors and hatchback open for an hour or more while I detail the car.
As long as the car is under warranty and you have the patience to visit the dealer - I'd hold Hyundai to the terms of their warranty. When you get tired of it all, just go to any auto parts store and buy a 26R battery and let them install it. No more problems. Check with Hyundai, the parts counter might even have a 26R battery at a competitive price. In my town the Honda dealer actually beat the Auto Zone price once or twice in the 26 years we've owned our CRV. WalMart or Sam's Wholesale are other sources that seem to sell solid batteries. My father had a battery he claims was 12 years old from WalMart in a GMC SUV. Maybe, maybe. Mostly I see 6-8 years from 12V lead-acid batteries in our part of the world.
I see our Kona charge the 12V occasionally but the car always functions correctly. I just don't worry about the little yellow/green light anymore. The traction battery isn't losing any range to topping off the 12V battery. It always goes when I press the start button.
The factory battery is pretty wimpy. Not alot of CCA amps I suspect due to the way the battery is constructed. Hyundai has decided that the EV doesn't need alot of amps to fire up the safety systems and close the traction battery contactors so the battery doesn't have alot of extra capacity.
Once the 12V Rocket battery has died once or twice or the 12V battery has some age on it, it'll never have the same charge capacity and it will require more charging to stay full and it won't be able to power the car's systems if loads are left on for very long such as open doors, etc.
We bought our car ('21 Kona 64KWH) with 30K miles on it at 3 years of age. Someone prior to our ownership installed a Hyundai branded 26R battery. We never have any problems with low battery, episodes where we are stranded b/c the EV systems won't fire up b/c of a low 12V battery, etc. I can leave doors and hatchback open for an hour or more while I detail the car.
As long as the car is under warranty and you have the patience to visit the dealer - I'd hold Hyundai to the terms of their warranty. When you get tired of it all, just go to any auto parts store and buy a 26R battery and let them install it. No more problems. Check with Hyundai, the parts counter might even have a 26R battery at a competitive price. In my town the Honda dealer actually beat the Auto Zone price once or twice in the 26 years we've owned our CRV. WalMart or Sam's Wholesale are other sources that seem to sell solid batteries. My father had a battery he claims was 12 years old from WalMart in a GMC SUV. Maybe, maybe. Mostly I see 6-8 years from 12V lead-acid batteries in our part of the world.
I see our Kona charge the 12V occasionally but the car always functions correctly. I just don't worry about the little yellow/green light anymore. The traction battery isn't losing any range to topping off the 12V battery. It always goes when I press the start button.
Found a whole lot (not on this forum) by googling this issue. Possibly most important was a reference to TSB# 24-01-090H, which was stated most dealers, as end of Dec 24, hadn't received. My service manage couldn't find it today either and finally located it by google. It was about a software update for multimedia keyboard logic improvement (see attached). However, my car (2025 Kona EV) was updated either by my recent update or by factory. Results of test also attached. However, I am still frequently experiencing orange light. So, a new battery 700 miles ago didn't solve the problem even though it was a battery upgrade over the factory. -
![Image]()
![Image]()
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
