Hyundai Ioniq Problems: 5 Most-Common Issues (Explained)

Since its debut in 2016, the Hyundai Ioniq has made its mark in the car scene and outdone certain established hybrids.

It is a comfortable and classy car that performs well on the road.

But just like any other vehicle, the Hyundai Ioniq has been reported to have some problems, such as engine issues and malfunctioning electrical problems.

Let us break down some of the common problems with the Hyundai Ioniq.

#1 Loses Power When Going Uphill

Some Hyundai Ioniq owners have complained that their vehicles lose power when going uphill.

Unfortunately, traveling uphill requires the car to have enough power to allow for acceleration.

There are many reasons this could happen, including faulty components.

Possible Problems and Solutions

Take a look at the possible reasons your car is losing power and what you can do about it.

• You Have Ran Out of the Battery Charge

This is also a general problem with fully electric cars.

When the Ioniq’s battery runs out of charge, the car will have some challenges going uphill.

That is because the traction battery is not providing enough juice to your car.

In some instances, the car can even start going downhill. In fully electronic Hyundai Ioniqs, this problem is caused by an uncharged battery.

The solution is simple. Ensure your battery has enough charge. Also, if your battery is starting to get worn out, you will have to get a new one.

A new battery will cost you about $2000-$4000 depending on your specific model, location, and the mechanic you hire for the job.

• Clogged Fuel Filter

If the battery is not the issue, then the culprit could be a clogged fuel filter. A clogged fuel filter will not allow enough fuel to get to the engine for an uphill drive.

There are certain signs you need to watch out for that will tell you your fuel filter is clogged.

If you notice any of these signs, take action immediately.

• Poor Engine Performance

If you have noticed that when you accelerate, the engine randomly sputters, hesitates, or surges, check your fuel filter.

Although your engine will not have any issues during normal driving, when the engine is under stress, such as driving uphill, the clogged fuel filter will prevent the engine from getting enough oil.

• Hard Starting

Has your car been giving you problems when you try to start it? A clogged fuel filter cannot stop your car from starting, but it can delay it.

That is because it reduces fuel pressure, causing the engine to take longer than usual before starting.

• Stalling

Constant stalling as you drive, particularly at low speeds, could indicate a dirty fuel filter. In some instances, the car will stop.

Depending on how severe the clog is, the car can start immediately without any significant loss of power. As the clog becomes worse, stalling becomes excessive.

• Fuel pump failure

A clogged fuel pump will not allow the engine to get enough fuel.

To make up for the low fuel pressure, the fuel pump pressure will increase, leading to the pump overheating, becoming noisy, and even premature damage.

Also, if by any chance the fuel filter allows dirt and debris to pass through, all that dirt can clog fuel injectors, preventing them from opening or closing.

This can lead to many other issues as you drive.

• Random misfire or rough idle

Low fuel pressure due to a clogged filter leads to a lean fuel condition or engine misfire. This can lead to rough idling, poor fuel mileage, or even engine backfire.

The solution for a clogged fuel filter is to replace it. Manufacturers recommend replacing the fuel filter every 30,000 to 40,000 miles or 2 to 3 years.

Of course, your driving habits, where you live, and other factors will contribute to when you should change the filter. Check your car’s manual for that information.

Replacing the fuel filter is not that costly. On average, it will cost you about $100 to $200, depending on the Hyundai Ioniq model.

#2 Problems With the Transmission

Another problem that has been reported on the Hyundai Ioniq is with the transmissions. Some of these issues are caused due to not servicing the car as often as you should. Some common problems with transmission are as listed.

Possible Problems and Solutions

Here are some of the common problems with a Hyundai Ioniq transmission.

• Transmission Slipping During Gear Change

Gear slippage can be caused by a dirty transmission or insufficient transmission fluid. For your car to stay in the right gear, the transmission has to develop enough pressure.

When it is dirty, debris and contaminants will restrict the flow of the transmission fluid, hence preventing this.

You will need to take the car to a mechanic to flush out the dirt and contaminants that have built out to rectify the solution.

• Problems Shifting Gears

This problem can result from a dirty transmission fluid. A transmission that has a lot of sludge or dirt will lead to a sluggish response, causing the gears to change late when driving.

• Strange Noises

A vehicle transmission containing sludge or dirt will show similar signs to insufficient transmission fluid levels. As you drive your car, you may notice the transmission grinding.

Stop the vehicle and inspect the transmission fluid levels as the engine continues running.

The fluid should have a bright red color. When it has sludge or grime, it will have a black or brown color.

The good thing is that we have not experienced any recalls due to the Hyundai Ioniq having a faulty transmission. Also, these problems can be easily fixed through car servicing. A simple fluid change should rectify the solution.

This will cost you about $350-$400, but if the transmission has been damaged and needs replacing, you will have to spend about $300-$4000.

#3 Electrical Equipment Malfunctioning

Despite the Hyundai Ionic proving to be a reliable electric vehicle, some car owners have reported a few electrical equipment problems.

Possible Problems and Solutions

Let us dive into those problems and their solutions.

• Short Circuit

Short circuit problems in the lithium-ion battery pose a risk of fire. An electrical short can happen when one is driving or even when the car is parked.

A driver will smell smoke or a melting or burning odor before the battery fire occurs.

As much as the Hyundai Ioniq has been reported as a safe and reliable car, this problem led to the recalling of about 82,000 vehicles of the 2019 and 2020 models to keep consumers safe.

• Battery Not Charging

There are certain reasons why your car may refuse to charge. They include:

• Faulty Electrics In Your Home

Check the charge light to be sure that electricity is going through the charge port.

Is there power in the socket? Plug something else in your socket, like a phone charger, to be sure the socket has power. If the phone charges, then it is possible that your charging cable demands too much power.

Another issue could be that the circuit tripped. If it has tripped, then there is probably a circuit overload. But if that is not the issue, check your cable.

Despite the charging cable being made of strong materials, it also needs to be cared for. Driving repeatedly over the cable will damage it eventually. The solution here is to simply replace the cable.

• A problem with your Hyundai Ioniq

If there is power and your cable is not the problem, your car could be the issue. Once you start the charge cycle, you will hear the charge port and the cable locking or engaging. Your car and the charger need to sync before charging begins.

The charger basically confirms with the vehicle’s onboard computer that everything is good before releasing power. But if the charging cable fails to lock, charging will not happen.

The culprit could be actuator failure, meaning the fuse was blown.

If you have the skills, you can change it or take the car to a mechanic for assistance.

• Extreme weather conditions

One of the challenges facing electric vehicles is that they generally do not handle extreme weather conditions well. When the temperatures are too low, they may take longer to charge and, in some instances, fail to charge completely.

Hyundai Ioniq vehicles use Lithium-Ion batteries. If the ionized liquid in the battery freezes a certain cell, then the cell will die, hence it is unable to receive charge.

#4 Irreplaceable Headlight

The Hyundai Ioniq headlights are irreplaceable.

So, even if you are not a fan of halogen lights, you will need to stick with them because you cannot change them.

#5 Updated Maps and GPS Not Working

Another common problem with the Hyundai Ioniq is that when you update the navigation system or map, it refuses to work.

Customers say that once someone downloads the latest GPS software update, it does not show maps.

Other consumers have also claimed that their cars came without navigation or maps pre-installed.

Possible Solutions

You can rectify the issues by resetting the electronic control unit while the car’s battery is disconnected. If the problem persists, go to the dealership so that they help you with the issue. The good thing is that this problem will not cost you anything to fix.

However, as you buy your car, it is wise to check that everything works, including maps and the navigation system.

• Sharp Reduction in Power and Acceleration

One of the things we look for in a vehicle is performance. So it can be such a downer when you are accelerating only to feel like the vehicle is losing its power. There are even car owners that have claimed it felt like the car had been turned off suddenly.

This problem is because of a manufacturing fault and has been witnessed in around 2679 units or 1% of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric vehicles. It happens when the vehicle’s fail-safe mode automatically engages, resulting in a sudden loss of power and acceleration.

If you are facing this issue, check with your car dealer to see if there has been a recall on the model you own.

Pros and Cons of the Hyundai Ioniq

Let’s start with the advantages.

Pros

• Excellent Safety Features

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Hyundai Ioniq great scores in the crash test evaluations.

Both the plug-in hybrid and the hybrid have some amazing features, such as automatic emergency braking on detecting a pedestrian, automatic high beams, and lane-keep assist. Rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring are also found in these models.

The Adaptive cruise control (ACC ) with stop-and-go feature automatically adjusts the speed of your car based on the vehicle in front, hence reducing the risk of accidents.

• Great Fuel Economy

Considering that a good MPG is about 50 to 60, the Hyundai Ioniq has outdone itself in terms of fuel economy. The fuel economy for this vehicle is about 58 MPG.

• Comfortable With Enough Boot Space

The boot is spacious, measuring 443 liters.

This advantage is because the lithium-ion battery is located under the rear bench, allowing manufacturers to maximize boot space. The legroom at the back is decent enough to allow for comfort.

• Great Infotainment System

This has been in all models from 2019, which have an impressive infotainment setup. The car boasts a 10.25-inch touchscreen located on the dash, and users can customize the screen with different widgets for various functions such as navigation and audio control.

Even better, the screen is connected to the cloud, meaning you can get news on traffic and live updates about the available charge points.

Cons

• Loses power when going uphill
• Problems with the transmission
• Electrical equipment malfunctioning
• Updated maps and GPS are not working
• A sharp reduction in power and acceleration

For a more comprehensive list of problems with hybrid cars, click here.

What Do the Reviews Say?

“The Hyundai Ioniq is efficient and has excellent tech. However, it is slow, plus the HVAC controls should be easier to use.”

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/ioniq/

“The Hyundai Ioniq might be the most exciting hybrid, and it is very efficient and interestingly unassuming.”

https://www.caranddriver.com/hyundai/ioniq

What Is the Resale Value of the Hyundai Ioniq?

GO BACK: See problems for all Hyundai models.

Resources

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/ioniq/

https://www.caranddriver.com/hyundai/ioniq

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.