2021 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.
Social links
Common 2021 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid problems
The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2021 is a popular choice among car buyers due to its eco-friendly nature and fuel efficiency. However, like any vehicle, it has its fair share of issues reported by owners. Here are some of the most common problems with the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2021 based on complaints from owners:
- Coolant leak: There has been a recall for early Ioniqs built between 4 October 2016 and 31 March 2017 related to coolant that might leak into the electric power control unit. This can result in engine overheating and potential damage to the electrical system. If you suspect your car might be affected by this recall, contact your local Hyundai dealer for further assistance.
- Risk of power relay fire: Some examples of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2021 may suffer from a faulty power relay that could, in extreme circumstances, catch fire. Hyundai dealers are to replace the power relay and inspect the power cable and relay assembly for any damage and replace if necessary.
- Intermittent engine problems: Some owners of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2021 have reported intermittent engine problems, such as the engine orange light coming on without warning and the car lurching as if an invisible force is putting on the brakes gently. These problems can be caused by issues with the hybrid engines not communicating properly with each other, as well as unknown faults (codes 047200 and 047100).
- Speaker problems: On rare occasions, some owners have reported that the speakers in their Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2021 will suddenly stop working, with sound from media, radio, and car SatNav not working, although the onscreen system seems fine. This issue can be resolved by leaving the car for a couple of hours and starting it up again.
While these issues can be concerning, it's important to note that the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2021 has a splendid reliability record and finished seventh out of 32 manufacturers in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. Additionally, all issues should be covered by the five-year manufacturer's warranty, so defects shouldn't be a major issue for owners.
Is Hyundai Ioniq hybrid a good car?
If you're looking for an alternative to the Toyota Prius then the Hyundai Ioniq is a good car well worth considering. The Hyundai has a more responsive gearbox that makes it a touch nicer to drive, while the Prius counters with slightly better fuel economy.
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.
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.
How long does the Ioniq Hybrid battery last?
Many Ioniq owners have reported that their vehicle's batteries have continued to work normally after about eight years and 100,000 miles.
2021 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
Negative 2021 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid car reviews
Positive 2021 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid car reviews
-
Congratulations on your new 2019 Hyundai Ionic Hybrid in blue! It's great to hear that you're enjoying the car and its features. The bright blue color is really attractive and the hatchback design is a personal favorite of mine too. The car is also very fuel-efficient, with an estimated average of 55 mpg, which is the best in its class! The car is comfortable and quiet inside, although the basic driver's seat doesn't have the lumbar adjustability you had in your previous car. However, the SEL or Limited models may have this feature. It's also worth noting that the hybrid comes with a lifetime warranty on the battery for the original buyer, which is a fantastic value. Thank you for recommending this hybrid, it sounds like a great choice!
-
Hey there! It's been a year since my initial review and overall, I'm much happier with my 2019 Ioniq Limited. I haven't had any problems since the one below (whew!). The only disappointment I have is the low MPG in winter. I understand that a hybrid will lose some efficiency in colder temperatures, but when temps are between -20 & 30, I'm only getting high 30's to mid 40's. However, summer MPG is awesome and at times I'm exceeding the Max for a Limited (57 MPG!). I have experienced some noticeable slipping when the transmission shifts, but it doesn't happen often and otherwise seems strong. As a high miles driver, after a year, I have about 42k miles on it. Seems to be going good, I will drive it until the wheels fall off! I had a 2019 Ioniq Select but decided to trade up to a 2019 Ioniq Limited. I drove it for 4 days and 468 miles, but unfortunately had to call Hyundai Roadside Assistance because it wouldn't start. Bluelink showed
-
If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend finding an Ioniq with the Ultimate package. The benefits of this package, which costs $2000, are definitely worth it. While it's important to note that the 55+ mpg advertised may not be entirely realistic, I have found that I average around 48-52 mpg. The Prius may be a more accurate representation of mpg. Overall, the Ioniq is an excellent vehicle that offers a better ride and feel than the Elantra and even the Sonata. Lastly, I wanted to express my gratitude for the research and assistance provided by edmunds.com in helping me find the best price for my car. Thanks to their help, I was able to negotiate the price down below the suggested retail price and even purchase an extended warranty. Thank you again for your assistance!
-
The car is good, but there are some things about the drive that you have to get used to when switching from a regular car to this hybrid. I have never driven another hybrid car, so I cannot compare it to another hybrid, but there were things that I had to get used to. Other than that, the car is great with great gas mileage. I went on a road trip and was averaging 54 mpg, even on a slight incline with off and on traffic. I was still impressed.
-
I'm trying my car but so far I'm having lots of fun. I leased because of the warranty, price and the possibility to change to a hybrid, and I'm in love with it. I'm having fun. Super safe car!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid problems:
Recurring engine problems with Ioniq Hybrid 68 | Hyundai IONIQ ...
Jan 9, 2020 ... ... 2021 not a problem with it at all over the three year lease period. But since Feb 2022 the engine light has come on 9 times now and been ...
2021 Hyundai IONIQ Problems, Issues & Complaints | Lemberg Law
Aug 22, 2023 ... From electrical system issues to trouble with the service brakes, there have been a lot of defects that affect safety. Additionally, the engine ...
Thinking of purchasing 2019 Ioniq Electric - Hyundai IONIQ Forum
Oct 30, 2023 ... Based on my own experience and from what I read on the various forums I frequent, these are extremely reliable cars. The only problem was the ...
Hyundai ioniq 2021 plugin hybrid. First, it said key not detected now ...
Mar 12, 2024 ... ... issues with these parts, leading to a flat 12V battery. Common Battery Problems and Solutions: A broader look at Hyundai IONIQ battery issues ...
Randy Gleichner 2025-04-01
I am disappointed that both the 2019 SEL and 2020 Limited models required major work before reaching 30,000 miles, despite financing around $64,000. However, I am grateful for the comfortable ride and efficiency of the car. It has taken me to various destinations, including Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee, the coast, and the mountains. The car is stylish, well-built, and solid. It is also well-appointed and has great features such as a sound system, ApplePlay, and adaptive cruise control. Although I have had some issues with the transmission and fuel injector, I appreciate the great customer service from the dealership. I hope the car lasts through the warranty and financing period. For background, I have owned three hybrids previously and enjoyed them very much. After researching and price shopping, I chose to purchase the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq SEL, which had excellent rebates and came with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and a lifetime warranty on the hybrid battery. I brought up my concerns to a service advisor once again, and they kindly agreed to resurface the rotors. After the rotors were resurfaced, I requested that they take the car for a test drive and decelerate from 60 to 40 mph, and let me know what they heard. They performed the test as I described and determined that there was a problem. Although they weren't sure if it was the hybrid system or the transmission, my car was in their shop for two weeks (give or take a day), and the transmission was replaced under warranty. I was pleasantly surprised when Hyundai corporate reached out to me to ensure that I was satisfied with the service that the dealership was providing, and that I was still satisfied with my car. The great service at my Hyundai dealership (Johnson Hyundai in Cary, NC) did their best to bridge the gap between what I was sold and what I received. Although Hyundai declined to offer an extension on the warranty, I received a response from corporate after a lengthy delay in responses on their part. Since I did not respond to them within 48 hours of the receipt of their e-mail, they deemed the case closed. In conclusion, I hope that the little car improves with age, and I am once again satisfied with my purchase. However, I cannot recommend this car to anyone in good faith. It will have to make it to 100,000 miles without so much as a misfire for me to be able to recommend it. The car has great features and the efficiency is the best in the class, but there's a reason that Hyundai priced it so low and offered incentives. Live and learn. Here's hoping that the little car improves with age.However, I have only been able to establish a first-name basis with the service department and dealership managers so far.
Jeromy Prosacco 2025-03-20
After driving 7000 miles, mostly on the freeway, I have noticed that the transmission struggles to find the correct gear on steeper hills or bridges. It is important to note that you may not achieve the advertised mileage at highway speeds of 70mph. While the interior can be noisy in the back seat area, both the interior and exterior are very nice. Unfortunately, there is no jack provided for a flat tire, and you must use a fill kit which can result in a costly bill to replace the tire and pressure sensor. Although the Sirius radio is costly and not worth the price unless you drive constantly, I still prefer it over a CD. It is important to note that it can be costly to have pay-to-play radio that sits in the driveway. Overall, I like this vehicle more than the Prius we had. However, it may take some time to get used to it, especially if you live in an area with hills. I would recommend this vehicle for those who live in flat areas. Good luck with your choice! Best regards, Agnes.
Jovani Jaskolski 2024-11-27
I've been driving my 2020 Ioniq for a year and a half now, and while I've had some issues with the electronics, I still have a soft spot for this car. Unfortunately, my infotainment system and backup camera have each been replaced twice already, and the front proximity sensors also failed. It's been in the shop half a dozen times or so, and I'm currently waiting to hear back from Hyundai about potentially buying it back. Despite these issues, I still think it's a beautiful car that drives well. However, I have noticed that it hasn't quite lived up to the EPA rated 55mpg, hovering around 42mpg instead. This is comparable to what my 2008 Prius was getting when it was 12 years old, which is a bit disappointing. I'm considering a hybrid SUV instead, but I'm hesitant to go with another Hyundai. I've even had trouble finding a dealership willing to take my Ioniq in trade due to its issues. Hopefully, Hyundai will come through and buy it back.
Matteo Windler 2024-07-04
I am 5'5 and unfortunately find the seats uncomfortable as they do not provide adequate support for my back, causing me neck and back pain. Additionally, the back windshield is too small and rounded, creating corner blind spots. When I first got the car, I almost reversed into another car due to these blind spots. It's ironic that my husband initially dismissed my concerns and told me I just needed to get used to the car, but months later he was involved in a collision while reversing due to the same blind spots. I emphasized to him that cameras alone cannot be relied upon and he now agrees with me.
Wilfrid Medhurst 2024-06-19
The fuel economy of this car is impressive due to its lightweight construction. However, some of the parts, such as the splash guard, are made of fragile materials and can be expensive to replace. The SEL trim comes with great features like Lane Change Assist, Lane Assist, and a sunroof, which are definitely worth the extra cost. Although the car can be a bit uncomfortable and noisy, there are other options available in the market that are more affordable and still fuel-efficient, such as the Elantra, Toyota Corolla, or Honda Civic. If you're looking for a hybrid, the Ioniq is a good option as long as it's priced at CAD$20K or less.