Hyundai Ioniq: common faults & what to check

Which Hyundai Ioniq are you looking at?

3 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Hybrid

2 variants documented

2017–2022AE2017–2022AE1.6 hybridHybridDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: © M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

2017–2022AE2017–2022AE1.6 plug-in hybridHybridDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: © M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

Electric

1 variant documented

2017–2022AE2017–2022AEEV 28/38.3kWhElectricDocumented issues5 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: © M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Hyundai Ioniq

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Hyundai Ioniq before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Ask for a battery state-of-health (SOH) readout, ideally from a Hyundai dealer or an EV specialist.

  See why

  Electric Ioniq high-voltage battery / BMS charging concerns

  The fully electric Ioniq shares battery-management technology with the Kona Electric, which was subject to a major global recall for a rare fire risk from LG-supplied cells and needed battery-management (BMS) software updates. Only a small number of Ioniq Electric were named in the fire recall, but any imported EV should have had the BMS updates applied and its battery health checked. An out-of-warranty high-voltage battery is extremely expensive, so state of health matters more than anything else on this car.

  What you would notice

  • Reduced range compared to when new
  • Charging slower or stopping early
  • Battery or 'check EV system' warning lights
  • Charge limited to 80-90% by dealer software

  Typically $8,000–$20,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Confirm recall 21V944000 (Hyundai recall 215) was completed via service history or Hyundai dealer VIN lookup.

  See why

  EPCU ground wiring fault causing fail-safe and power surge

  Certain 2017-2019 Ioniq Electric vehicles were found to have an unstable electrical ground connection within the Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) system. The faulty ground can cause the vehicle to enter fail-safe mode with reduced acceleration, and in specific conditions while in fail-safe, the vehicle may unexpectedly accelerate after the accelerator pedal is released. This creates a significant loss-of-control risk. NHTSA issued recall 21V944000 (Hyundai recall 215) covering 2,679 vehicles. Remedy involves EPCU software update and repair of the ground wiring at no charge.

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle enters reduced-power fail-safe mode without warning
  • Unintended acceleration after releasing the accelerator pedal
  • Multiple warning lights on the instrument cluster
  • Loss of full drive power requiring tow

  Typically $0 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Ask for the service history and look for a Hyundai dealer invoice or note showing recall 11D044 / REC-001706 or a high-voltage battery replacement.

  See why

  Ioniq Electric (AE EV) battery cell defect in a small batch of 2019-2020 cars, fire risk, battery replacement recall (REC-001706)

  A small batch of 2019 to 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric (AE EV) cars were built with high-voltage battery cells from one LG Chem plant whose anode tabs were folded incorrectly, which can cause an internal short circuit and a fire. Hyundai Australia recalled 208 cars in August 2021 (REC-001706, campaign 11D044) and replaces the whole battery pack free of charge. This is separate from the later battery management software recall REC-006587. A car that has had this recall done will have a new battery pack. Most Ioniq Electrics are not part of this recall; a Hyundai dealer can tell from the VIN.

  What you would notice

  • Usually no warning before the recall is done
  • Battery or electrical system warning light
  • Burning or chemical smell near the floor of the car

  Typically $0 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Request a battery State of Health (SOH) diagnostic from a Hyundai dealer or EV specialist.

  See why

  28 kWh HV battery pack capacity degradation in older Ioniq EV

  The first-generation Ioniq Electric (AE) used a 28 kWh LG Chem battery pack with an 8-year/160,000 km capacity warranty (80% retention). Real-world data from NZ/AU Ioniq EV owners shows many early examples (pre-2019) losing 20–30% of usable capacity by 80,000–120,000 km, reducing effective range from ~200 km to 140–160 km. Degradation is accelerated by repeated DC fast charging, high ambient temperatures, and storage at full or empty states. Battery capacity can only be properly assessed with a diagnostic tool reading State of Health (SOH).

  What you would notice

  • Significantly reduced range compared to rated specification
  • Battery capacity gauge showing fewer bars than when new
  • Faster-than-expected charge times (less energy accepted)
  • Range estimate well below 180 km on a full charge

  Typically $4,500–$12,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  During the test drive, pay close attention to pull-away from rest: any shudder, vibration, or hesitation through the driveline is a red flag.

  See why

  DCT clutch pack wear and judder under 80,000 km

  The Ioniq Hybrid uses a 6-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) paired to the Kappa 1.6 GDI engine and integrated electric motor. The clutch packs are prone to premature wear and heat-induced judder, particularly during low-speed manoeuvres and in hot ambient conditions where the clutch fluid loses effectiveness. Owners report shuddering on pull-away from rest and hard or flaring gear changes. Fault codes P0811 (excessive clutch slippage) and P17EB are associated with this failure. Forum data places complete clutch pack failure at 80,000–120,000 km, though shudder can begin much earlier. The vehicle may show no fault codes for thousands of kilometres despite measurable clutch wear.

  What you would notice

  • Judder or shudder during low-speed acceleration from a standstill
  • Hard or harsh gear changes particularly between 1st and 2nd gear
  • Clutch slip sensation during moderate acceleration
  • Transmission warning light with fault codes P0811 or P17EB

  Typically $2,500–$6,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Ask if it has ever been jump-started or left the owner stranded.

  See why

  12V auxiliary battery goes flat and leaves the car dead

  The Ioniq's small 12V battery powers the door locks, computers and the relays that 'boot up' the hybrid/EV system, and it drains flat far more often than a normal car. Owners report walking out to a car that won't unlock or wake up, sometimes only days after it was driven, because control modules stay awake or the DC-DC converter isn't topping the 12V up properly. It strands you but is rarely expensive if the battery itself is still good. On the electric Ioniq this can be an early sign of the same charging-unit family of faults that plague the newer EVs.

  What you would notice

  • Car completely dead, won't unlock or start
  • Needs a jump-start after sitting a few days
  • Warning about 12V battery on the dash
  • Electronics reset or clock lost

  Typically $250–$600 to put right.

Hyundai Ioniq service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Hyundai Ioniq. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Hyundai Ioniq’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• EV Battery Replacement Cost
• DSG and Dual-Clutch Gearbox Repair Cost

Other Hyundai models