40 of the
199 complaints filed about the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
are about the electrical system —
20% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic failure of the hybrid drive motor rotor, transmission, and engine clutch, resulting in a $14,993 repair quote. This is a direct consequence of a failed remedy for NHTSA Recall 18V260 (Hyundai Campaign 176).In February 2020, a dealer performed an 'inspection/cap' remedy under Campaign 176. However, this did not permanently fix the manufacturing burrs on the hydraulic clutch actuator housing. Over time, the inner oil seals degraded exactly as warned in the original defect report. Hydraulic fluid leaked into the electric stepper motor, causing an electrical short circuit that destroyed the entire hybrid powertrain. The vehicle lost propulsion and threw a severe Hybrid Warning Light on the dashboard. This represents a complete failure of a mandated safety recall remedy, introducing an active electrical short circuit and a severe vehicle fire hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11751771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine Code: P090A01 The Hyundai IONIQ Blue lost reverse and while driving I experienced loss of power only to regain then lose then regain (a bucking motion). The drive significantly declined. Fortunately, I was able to get back home without injury. Vehicle towed to dealership where it currently sits.
NHTSA complaint #11744771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While attempting a slow right turn from a complete stop at an intersection, I heard a loud thunk sound followed by an immediate loss of power steering response. The steering wheel spun freely with little resistance while the front tires did not respond proportionally. I was able to safely pull over. Upon restarting the vehicle it produced an abnormal wheezing sound suggesting additional mechanical stress. At the time of the failure the vehicle had approximately 40,000 miles, which I believe represents a premature failure for a safety-critical steering component. The vehicle was brought to a Hyundai dealership for inspection. The dealer pulled diagnostic fault codes, found none, performed a 20-minute test drive, and returned the vehicle stating they could not find anything wrong. No physical inspection of the steering components was performed. The failure condition — a slow full-lock turn from a complete stop — was never specifically replicated during the dealer's test drive. The problem has not been confirmed or repaired by the dealer. The vehicle is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of other drivers was put at risk by the sudden and unexpected loss of steering control. No warning lights appeared prior to or during the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11737339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The charge controller failed twice and one of the times I was out on a dangerous road where there wasn’t a safe spot to pull over. It was very sketchy.
NHTSA complaint #11728257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Electric parking break and auto hold sensor lights on dash, manual indicates malfunction. Hyundai service center has investigated and replaced the faulty sensor but issue still remains.
NHTSA complaint #11724369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a red traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power relay assembly (PRA) located underneath the rear seat had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired, but the mechanic overrode the computer system. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V459000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that the VIN was previously included in the recall; however, the recall was marked as complete after the vehicle passed the inspection test. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer, Keyes Hyundai of Mission Hills(10240 Sepulveda Blvd, Mission Hills, CA 91345), where it was diagnosed that the power relay assembly (PRA) located underneath the rear seat and the 12-Volt battery had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a goodwill discount could be provided at the dealer's discretion. A case was filed. The contact stated that after the manufacturer contacted the dealer, the dealer doubled the cost of the repair and provided a goodwill discount. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #11672051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid VIN: [XXX] that is covered under Recall 232 (NHTSA 22V-459) related to a defective Power Relay Assembly that poses a fire risk. I brought this issue to Hyundai 3 years ago and was told my vehicle was serviced. That turned out to be false. Recently, my car stalled on the road due to the exact electrical issue covered in Recall 232. I had it diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who confirmed it’s tied to the recall. I had the vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealership to have it repaired, but they: •Refused to prioritize the recall inspection •Attempted to charge me $230 for diagnostics •Told me it would take a week or more just to inspect the vehicle •Denied the urgency of the recall, despite the known fire hazard I informed the dealership service manager Tom Swire I was recording, and he still refused to put his denial in writing. I have the recording. Due to their refusal, I was forced to tow the vehicle to a second dealership at my own expense. Hyundai Corporate has opened a case file, but told me I must wait 2–3 days just to speak with a case manager despite this being a federally mandated safety recall tied to real-world safety fire risk. I am requesting NHTSA review this case and hold Hyundai and its dealership accountable for failing to honor Recall 232 within a reasonable and safe timeframe. I am also seeking reimbursement for towing and other out-of-pocket costs caused by their mishandling of this urgent safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11671675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had issues with the car losing speed and start to flutter. The last time it did this it locked up my steering wheel and engine cut off this has been an ongoing issue with this car only had it less than a year and the dealership cannot remedy the issue there is some kind of electrical issue because all lights come on car has less than 50k moles on it this is my 5 visit to the dealership with no resolution have contacted the manufacturer
NHTSA complaint #11658566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The "Auto Hold and EPB" yellow indicator light constantly turns on, which, according to the owner's manual, suggests a sensor issue. When I press Auto Hold after starting the car, the light comes on immediately. Even if I don’t press the Auto Hold button, the light still turns on. Yesterday, after driving approximately 9 miles, the light came on again and began beeping every 7 to 8 minutes while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11649909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Electric Parking Break and Auto Hold lights, with system disengage. History of electrical short in codes system. Falls under Hyundai technical service bulletin # 23-BR-001H. Dealer ship refuses to repair if lights are not currently on. According to bulletin must be repaired if on or in history. Same Issue as NHTSA # 11617668 and NHTSA# 11633119
NHTSA complaint #11637638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The hold app doesn't work very well. Since first check up in 2022, I mentioned to garage that I have to push on button every time I need to use it as opposed to pressing on it and removing it when desired. However, not the main issue. I get in the car, Auto Hold (which usually appears when I press the button) will suddenly pop on my screen but won't work. The break won't hold, it's just there. It scares me that it has something to do with the breaks themselves in the long run. I've spoken about it twice before and the garage stated that they couldn't see it so couldn't do anything about it. The issue popped on my dashboard one day and I drove straight to the dealership. They said they had no loaner and would call me. This was more than a month ago. I'm tired of trying to get them to address the issue and hoping that I'm not the only one having it.
NHTSA complaint #11579021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shortly after purchasing my Ioniq (roughly 2 months into ownership) my dashboard started beeping with warning signs for my EPB and auto-hold brake. I panicked and parked my car and tried to turn off the functions because I thought I had accidentally turned them on but they wouldn’t turn off. This would continue at random for roughly 7 more months until it would stay on for weeks at a time. I was told there was nothing the dealership could do about it and was asked about my oil changes. I get my oil changes within the intervals set for the vehicle and it does not seem to affect if the lights come on or off. They beep constantly and also the EPB and Auto-hold features do not work when the light comes on, the fail. It’s a safety risk as when I do try to engage them they don’t work and makes me fearful that they will short and work at random times which is a huge concern.
NHTSA complaint #11546636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My lcd screen constantly goes black. A couple times the steering wheel locked the wipers and washer fluid went off at the same time. I had to hit the brakes and power the car on and off to reset it while making a turn. When having my window motor replaced for the SECOND time my dash where the speed is at all when black while driving on the freeway. I had to pull over and restart the car. My paint and my clear coat is separating on my trunk. It looks white not oxidation just separating and white. My driver side door button to lock the car kept getting stuck and was locking and unlocking. this left the possibilities of my car getting stolen from the door lock and the window motor leaving my window half down. My safety and the safety of others is obviously at risk with the electrical malfunctions. My local dealership left my issue’s unresolved for currently FIVE months with little to no compensation. I guess the life of my family and everyone else on the road is only $420.
NHTSA complaint #11541573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the electronic parking brake and auto hold indicator lights erroneously activated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 16,000.
NHTSA complaint #11541595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, all lights, including the headlights. As a result, the vehicle veered off the roadway into a ditch, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a sign. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital and treated for intracranial hygroma, hematomas in both legs, burns, and various bruising. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic but instead towed to a towing yard. The vehicle was not repaired upon being declared a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #11540839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’m driving with cruise control on the highway at 65 and all of a sudden it shuts off. The check cruise system light comes on along with a triangle with an exclamation point in the middle of it in the lower left side of dashboard and the letters EPB lights up on the lower right side of dashboard.
NHTSA complaint #11536725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
***2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ TURNS ITSELF ON, WITHOUT HUMAN ASSISTANCE OR MODERATION. HUMAN DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN THE CAR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, MEANING IT COULD OCCUR 24/7, SANS DRIVER, AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE.*** *Months of random electrical odd events. Example: the car does not know it’s off or Not shifting correctly *June 6, 2023 - 8am - I entered the car and got settled. The steering wheel is locked…it was not like that the last time I was in the car. I turned the car on, shifted to reverse, and the steering wheel remained locked. I couldn’t fix it so I decided to get out of the car and call for service. *June 6 2023 - Attempting to leave the car. Put the car in park, set the parking break, turned car off, and opened door to get out. When my left foot touched the pavement the Ioniq turn itself back on. I thought I had messed up but nope. I took several videos. I could not leave the car bc it would NOT STAY SHUT OFF. *June 6, 2023 - Called Hyundai service. They could do nothing but had service drivers out and I would get a call back, meantime I had to stay inside the running car. I kept trying the ignition button to get it to stay off. FINALLY randomly unlocked the steering wheel so I drove to the service center. *June 6, 2023 - Hyundai has had my car for 7 days without being officially written up and service started. I cannot get an update from them and have no loaner. I will be taking an UBER there tomorrow to check in person.
NHTSA complaint #11526534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2019 hyndai ioniq electrical system stopped working and results in the front door claiming that is not open. An internet search showed that this is common many hyundais and in particular the ioniq. The issue with this is 1) there is no way to know how bad this electrical issue, 2) since the door may or may not be open, the risk of the door opening while driving is present, and 3) all other notifications on my dash are no longer usable; i have no way of knowing fuel left, mpg, or any other safety warnings on the dash. Finally, the issue creates a constant beep that does not stop. This is a safety issue seeing as it is so loud, it makes being aware of the sounds around us nearly impossible to hear.
NHTSA complaint #11512872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on the freeway when my car started smoking. Pulled over immediately and 30 seconds later the entire front of the car was engulfed in flames. I hadn’t received a second recall notice, but I did take it in the first time when a fire risk was mentioned.
NHTSA complaint #11498124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.