2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid problems
The Hyundai Ioniq is a compact five-door liftback manufactured and marketed by Hyundai. The nameplate Ioniq is a portmanteau of ion and unique. It is marketed as the first Hyundai automobile to be offered without a standard internal combustion engine, but rather sold in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric variants.
The Ioniq Hybrid debuted in South Korea in January 2016, with all three variants debuting at 2016 Geneva and New York auto shows. The hybrid variant launched in its home market in February 2016, followed by the electric model in July 2016. The plug-in hybrid version followed in February 2017.
From its first model year (2017) through the 2019 model year, the Ioniq Electric had been the EPA's most efficient vehicle with a rated fuel economy of 136 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (24.8 kWh/100 mi; 15.4 kWh/100 km). The Ioniq Blue Hybrid version has been rated at 4.1 L/100 km (58 mpg‑US), making it the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle to be mass-produced.
Following its discontinuation in South Korea in 2021, production of the Ioniq ended in July 2022 in favour of battery electric lineup of Ioniq-badged models starting from the Ioniq 5 hatchback and Ioniq 6 sedan with Ioniq 7 to follow.
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Common 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid problems
The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2018 has been praised for its fuel economy, stylish design, and comfortable interior. However, some owners have reported specific problems related to the vehicle's engine, electrical systems, and interior quality.
One common issue among Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2018 owners is engine problems. Some owners have reported intermittent engine issues, where the engine orange light and the HEV triangle would come on without warning, indicating a problem with the hybrid system.
Another issue related to the engine is a coolant leak that affects early Ioniqs built between 4 October 2016 and 31 March 2017. This issue is related to coolant that might leak into the electric power control unit, which could cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
In addition to engine problems, some owners have reported issues with the car's electrical systems. One owner reported that the speakers suddenly stopped working, with no sound from media, radio, or car SatNav, although the onscreen system seemed fine. The issue was resolved by leaving the car for a couple of hours and starting it up again.
The interior quality of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2018 has also been criticized by some owners. The car's focus on being lightweight to improve fuel economy often means lots of plastics for the interior, which can make the car feel like an economy car, especially in base trim levels.
Despite these issues, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2018 has a splendid reliability record, with Hyundai finishing seventh out of 32 manufacturers in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey.
In summary, while the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2018 has been praised for its fuel economy, stylish design, and comfortable interior, some owners have reported specific problems related to the vehicle's engine, electrical systems, and interior quality. These issues include intermittent engine problems, a coolant leak that affects early Ioniqs, issues with the car's electrical systems, and criticism of the car's interior quality. Despite these issues, the Ioniq Hybrid has a strong reliability record, with all issues being fixed under warranty.
What is the recall on the 2018 Ioniq?
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ioniq HEV and Ionic PHV vehicles previously recalled under recall number 18V-704. The Power Relay Assembly (PRA) located underneath the rear seat may overheat.
What is the battery issue in Hyundai Ioniq hybrid?
The automaker says the 12-volt battery drain has been caused by two different unrelated issues. The main one is "overactive unauthorized Bluelink use by 3rd party apps that is waking up the car too often." Basically, unauthorized third-party Bluelink apps are requesting information too frequently from the Ioniq 5.
Why is Hyundai discontinuing Ioniq hybrid?
Is the IONIQ still being built? No, in July 2022, production of the original Hyundai IONIQ ended at the Ulsan plant in South Korea. Why was the original IONIQ discontinued? The worldwide discontinuation of IONIQ represents a long-planned decision by Hyundai to meet changing consumer demands in the automotive sector.
How long does a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid battery last?
between 3 to 5 years
Your 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid battery will generally last between 3 to 5 years, but that can fluctuate heavily depending on weather conditions type of battery, battery size, and driving habits. Even still, just because your battery isn't absolutely dead, doesn't mean it's operating perfectly.
2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Ioniq hybrid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-28
- VIN: KMHC75LCXJU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The clutch failed and the clutch and I believe the clutch actuator had to be replaced. It was not available for inspection upon request. My safety and the risk of others were compromised by the constant jerking and sputtering, of the gears that took place during vehicle operation. My acceleration was laggy and at some points nearly unresponsive. The vehicle was inspected by service technicians. A warning light saying: Warning please check Hybrid Driving System, Do not drive vehicle was illuminated. Mid to late October 2023
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-24
- VIN: KMHC75LC4JU
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: 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.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-28
- VIN: KMHC75LD4JU
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was discovered that both the passenger’s side front and rear carpets had become soaked with water and condensation from the operation of the air conditioning unit. The contact was also concerned that mold was present due to the failure. The local dealer was contacted and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 12,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-30
- VIN: KMHC65LC9JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: There is a defect with the transmission control module (TCM) and dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This defect prevents the car from properly accelerating from a stop. The defect manifests in the following ways when pressing the accelerator: unresponsive or sluggish acceleration, jerking, shuddering, failure to shift, stalling and complete loss of power. Typically, the TCM defect manifests in two ways: shuddering/delayed brake release, which has happened over 20 times and loss of power/engine revving out of gear which has occured three times. These issues are unpredictable, unrepeatable and dangerous. I usually experience them while waiting at stop lights in busy intersections. Delayed and unpredictable acceleration and shifting could cause a traffic accident. I've notified the dealership three times and had it serviced once by licensed Hyundai technicians at the same dealership. They couldn't replicate the issue and claimed they had never heard of the problem. There are no warning lights when this issue occurs and the dealship said there were no diagnostic codes indicating the problem. Defective TCM & DCT software is a known issue that resulted in a recall campaign for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. This issue has been documented in the following vehicles: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco, 2017 Hyundai Sonata Eco, 2016 – 2017 Hyundai Tucson, 2016 Hyunda Veloster Turbo. Hyundai issued the following service bulletins informing dealerships about the TCU software issue specific to the Tucson: #5NP-X7J3D-10, TSB# 16-01-035, #5NP- S9D9P-10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-12-25
- VIN: KMHC05LC9JU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: VEHICLE BATTERY IS DEPLETED AND NEEDS SERVICING OR REPLACEMENT.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-05-13
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KMHC75LCXJU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE CAR SHIFTS FROM DRIVE MODE INTO SPORT MODE BY ITSELF WITHOUT THE DRIVER MANUALLY MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO SPORT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, BUT ALWAYS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND ALWAYS IN A LOW GEAR( USUALLY FIRST GEAR ). IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN MAKING A TURN AND GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD , USUALLY WHEN THE CAR STARTS TO MOVE AFTER BEING STOPPED LIKE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I CAN GET THE CAR TO GO BACK INTO DRIVE MODE BY PHYSICALLY MOVING THE GEARSHIFT INTO SPORT MODE AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE MODE AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE MOST RECENT EPISODE OF THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE. I WAS HALFWAY INTO THE GARAGE WHEN THE CAR SWITCHED TO SPORT MODE BY ITSELF. THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION INSTANTLY STARTED MOVING FASTER AND IN SECONDS IT HIT THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-06
- VIN: KMHC75LC6JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEB 2018 WITH THE A/C WORKING ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SETTINGS ON THE CLUSTER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ESCALATED INTO A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ON DEC 6 THE RKE FAILED (BATTERY ON FOB STRONG) AND A RE-START ON CAR DID NOT WORK, UNTIL THE SPARE KEY WAS TRIED. SINCE DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH EITHER KEY, THE SAFETY ISSUE REMAINS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE SENIOR CITIZEN OWNER WHO MIGHT GET CAUGHT AGAIN WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE CAR AND WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING ENGINE. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SHOWS ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY IN UNPROVOKED BEEPS OF THE PASSENGER DOOR, AS WELL AS IN THE CLUSTER SETTINGS. *JS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-11-08
- VIN: KMHC65LC2JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: MANY ISSUES: 1. GETS STUCK IN PARK. 2. BACK UP CAMERA FUZZY EVEN AFTER CLEANED. 3. APPLE CAR PLAY DROPS OUT. AND OR SWITCHES FROM TO CURRENT PHONE CALL. 4. TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM IS MESSED UP. THE TIRES SYSTEM DOESN'T TELL YOU WHEN THE TIRES ARE BELOW 30LBS. THESE ARE JUST A FEW ISSUES.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-11
- VIN: KMHC75LCXJU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE EVERY TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. SOMETIMES THE CLICKING NOISE WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED AND LOCKED. THE FIRST TIME THE CLICKING STARTED, I PARKED MY CAR AND A WARNING "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" APPEARED BRIEFLY IN MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY BUT THE CLICKING PERSISTED. THE PEDAL FELT SLUGGISH WITH NOT MUCH RESISTANCE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-31
- VIN: KMHC75LC7JU
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING (SMART CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED BY THE WEATHER), I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING OK. I CANCELLED DUE TO TRAFFIC AND REENGAGED WITHOUT ISSUE. WHEN I REQUESTED ADDITIONAL SPEED WITH THE INCREASE CONTROL, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AND CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I EXPECT THIS FIXED AND WILL CONTACT THE NHTSA AND ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IT IS ONLY DUE TO MY ABILITY TO QUICKLY REACT DID I AVERT AN ACCIDENT IN SNOWY CONDITIONS! ***** I AM CHECKING THE NO CRASH BUTTON ONLY BECAUSE MY QUICK ACTION AND RESPONSE AVERTED AN ACCIDENT, BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! *****
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-30
- VIN: KMHC75LCZJU
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING (SMART CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED BY THE WEATHER), I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING OK. I CANCELLED DUE TO TRAFFIC AND REENGAGED WITHOUT ISSUE. WHEN I REQUESTED ADDITIONAL SPEED WITH THE INCREASE CONTROL, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AND CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I EXPECT THIS FIXED AND WILL CONTACT THE NHTSA AND ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IT IS ONLY DUE TO MY ABILITY TO QUICKLY REACT DID I AVERT AN ACCIDENT IN SNOWY CONDITIONS! -SCOTT
2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ioniq HEV and Ionic PHV vehicles previously recalled under recall number 18V-704. The Power Relay Assembly (PRA) located underneath the rear seat may overheat.
- Consequence: An overheated PRA increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the main relay or PRA, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 232. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 18V-704. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and 2018 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
- Consequence: The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 178.
Negative 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid car reviews
Positive 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid car reviews
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Great car so far! The gas mileage is phenomenal - over 500 miles on the first tank of gas.
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Overall, this is an excellent vehicle that is easy to drive and has outstanding safety features. Additionally, it boasts great MPG.
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This car has good gas mileage, especially in the summer, averaging around 55-57 mpg. However, during the winter, the gas engine needs to work harder, causing a drop in fuel efficiency by 5-10 mpg. To combat this, using the seat heat can help. When driving, it's recommended to use sports mode to heat the engine faster and shift to auto if more heat is needed. In sports mode, acceleration responds well at freeway speeds and during merging. However, breaking in sports mode is not very responsive, so it's important to increase the distance to stop. At times, there may be a fuel smell when driving in sports mode. I had issues with the backup camera screen going blank, but I found that the radio was the issue and it was replaced under warranty. It's worth noting that the brake response is not as good as other cars in this segment, which could be related to the vehicle's lighter weight and poor friction between the tires and road. If braking faster at speeds of 35-45 mph, the brakes will definitely screech. Overall, this car is a compromise for mileage, but it's still a great option for those looking for fuel efficiency.
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Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that there's only a little bit of wind noise. Hope that helps!
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Just wanted to say that your car is amazing! It's impressive that it has lasted for 150,000 miles and is still going strong.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid problems:
2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Recalls/Common faults/Upgrades | Hyundai IONIQ Forum
Mar 20, 2017 ... Recalls/Common faults/Upgrades · 1. Media unit replacement / recall · 2. Brake binding issue · 3. Squeaky noise from front door (both?) · 4.
The 10 best and worst things about the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq plug-in ...
Feb 10, 2018 ... Hybrids are not known for being sporty cars, but the Ioniq gives sporty a go with its drive modes. Choose Eco for the best possible fuel ...
Recurring engine problems with Ioniq Hybrid 68 | Hyundai IONIQ ...
Jan 9, 2020 ... We purchased an Ioniq hybrid (not plug-in) in September 2018, brand new 68 plate. Overall, it is a lovely car and very comfortable to drive.
Just bought 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid : r/Hyundai
Aug 21, 2023 ... Hey guys so I made a pretty rash decision and just bought this car off the lot yesterday. Anyone else here owned one and whats your thoughts ...
Other years of Hyundai Ioniq hybrid
Are you having problems with your 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid?
Dylan Howe 2024-07-07
The size is not ideal for my needs and I found the frequent activation of the gas engine to be unsatisfactory.
Alvah Senger 2024-06-07
I really appreciate your feedback on the Ioniq! I can definitely understand where you're coming from with the rear window. The horizontal line created by the hatch lock can be quite distracting.
Rodrigo Glover 2024-06-05
During the first week of owning my car, a rock or pebble hit my front windshield and caused a crack. Unfortunately, the same thing happened again the following month, resulting in another crack. By the third month, it happened yet again. While this is certainly frustrating, I am confident that I will be able to find a solution to this issue.
Ruben Reilly 2024-01-20
I am the owner of a 2018 Hyundai Ioniq with Nystec features. While the car has impressive features, it is often plagued by issues such as a loud ride and frequent wonder. Despite reporting these issues to Hyundai directly and the dealership, I have not received satisfactory resolution. Overall, this has been a disappointing experience.