5 Common Failures Of The Hyundai Ioniq: Problems, Complaints And Opinions
Since its debut in 2016, the Hyundai Ioniq has carved a niche for itself on the automotive scene, surpassing certain established hybrids. But just like any other vehicle, it has been reported with some problems and here you will learn about the common Hyundai Ioniq failures.
It is a comfortable and classy car that does well on the road. However, you also have its faults like engine problems and malfunctioning electrical issues. Keep reading this post and find out about the Hyundai Ioniq failures that have been reported.
Common Hyundai Ioniq Faults
In this post we will talk about the good and the bad of the Hyundai Ioniq, but we will start with the problems. Although this vehicle is considered one of the best, we are going to break down some of the most common failures and among them are:
1. You lose power going uphill
Some Hyundai Ioniq owners have complained that their vehicles lose power when going uphill. Unfortunately, going uphill requires the car to have enough power to allow acceleration.
There are many reasons why this can happen, including faulty components. Take a look at the possible reasons why your car is losing power and what you can do about it.
1- The battery charge was depleted
When the Ioniq’s battery runs out of charge, the car will have some trouble going uphill. This is because the traction battery is not providing enough power to your car.
In some cases, the car may even start to go downhill. On fully electronic Hyundai Ioniqs, this problem is caused by the battery not being charged. The solution is simple. Make sure your battery has enough charge. Also, if your battery is starting to wear out, you’ll need to buy a new one.
2- Clogged fuel filter
If the battery is not the problem, then a clogged fuel filter could be the culprit . A clogged fuel filter will not allow enough fuel to get to the engine for uphill driving.
There are certain signs to look out for that will tell you that the fuel filter is clogged. If you notice one of these problems, act immediately:
3- Low engine performance
If you’ve noticed that when you accelerate the engine randomly sputters, hesitates, or overloads, check the fuel filter.
Although the engine will not have any problems during normal driving, when the engine is under stress, such as driving uphill, a clogged fuel filter will prevent the engine from getting enough oil.
4- Difficult start
Does your car give you problems when you try to start it? A clogged fuel filter can’t stop your car from starting, but it can slow it down.
This is because it reduces fuel pressure, making the engine take longer than normal to start.
5- Stagnation
Constant stops while driving, especially at low speeds, could indicate a dirty fuel filter. In some cases, the car will stall.
Depending on the severity of the clogging, the car can start immediately without any significant loss of power. As the obstruction worsens, the detention becomes excessive.
6- Failure of the fuel pump
A clogged fuel pump is not allowing the engine to get enough fuel. To compensate for low fuel pressure, fuel pump pressure will increase, causing the pump to overheat, become noisy, and even prematurely fail.
Also, if the fuel filter happens to let dirt and debris through, all that dirt can clog the fuel injectors, preventing them from opening or closing. This can lead to many other problems while driving.
7- Misfiring or random idling
Low fuel pressure due to a clogged filter leads to a lean fuel condition or an engine misfire. This can lead to rough idling, poor fuel economy, or even engine backfiring.
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 every 2 to 3 years.
Of course, your driving habits, where you live, and other factors will help determine when you should change your filter. Check your car manual for that information. Replacing the fuel filter is not that expensive.
2. Problems with the transmission
Another failure that has been reported in the Hyundai Ioniq is with the transmissions. Some of these problems are caused by not servicing the car as often as it should. Some common transmission problems are as listed below.
These are some of the common faults with the Hyundai Ioniq transmission.
1- Transmission slippage during gear change
Gear slippage can be caused by a dirty transmission or insufficient transmission fluid. In order for your car to stay in the correct gear, the transmission has to develop enough pressure.
When dirty, debris and contaminants will restrict the flow of transmission fluid, preventing this. You will need to take the car to a mechanic to clean out any dirt and contaminants that have built up in order to rectify the fix.
2- Problems when changing gear
This problem can be caused by dirty transmission fluid. A transmission that has a lot of mud or dirt in it will cause slow response, causing gears to shift late when driving.
3- Strange noises
A vehicle’s transmission that contains mud or dirt will show signs similar to insufficient levels of transmission fluid. If while driving your vehicle, you notice the transmission squealing, stop the vehicle and inspect the transmission fluid levels while the engine is still running.
The liquid should be bright red in color. When it has mud or dirt on it, it will have a black or brown color.
The good thing is that no recall has occurred due to the Hyundai Ioniq having a faulty transmission. In addition, these problems can be easily fixed through a car service. A simple fluid change should rectify the problem.
3. Electrical equipment malfunction
Although the Hyundai Ionic has proven to be a reliable electric vehicle, some owners have reported some failures with electrical equipment.
Let’s dive into those problems and their solutions.
1- Short circuit
Short circuit problems in the lithium ion battery pose a fire hazard. A short circuit can occur when you are driving or even when the car is parked. The driver will smell a smoke, melting or burning smell before the battery fire breaks out.
As much as the Hyundai Ioniq has been reported as a safe and reliable car, this issue led to the recall of some 82,000 2019 and 2020 model year vehicles to keep consumers safe.
2- The battery does not charge
There are certain reasons why your car may refuse to charge. Among them are:
3- Defective electricity in your house
Check the charging light to make sure electricity is going through the charging port.
Is there power at the socket? Plug something else into the outlet, like a phone charger, to make sure the outlet has power. If the phone charges, the charging cable may draw too much power.
Another problem could be that the circuit has tripped. If it has tripped, there is probably an overload in the circuit. But if that’s not the problem, check the cable.
Despite the fact that the charging cable is made of resistant materials, it must also be taken care of. Repeatedly stepping over the cable will eventually damage it. The solution in this case is to simply replace the cable.
4- A problem with your Hyundai Ioniq
If there is power and the cable is not the problem, the car could be the problem. Once the charging cycle begins, you will hear the charging port and cable get blocked or snagged. Your car and the charger have to be synchronized before charging begins.
The charger basically confirms with the vehicle’s on-board computer that all is well before releasing power. But if the charging cable is not locked, the charging will not occur.
The culprit could be a failed actuator, which means the fuse has blown. If you have the necessary knowledge, you can change it or take the car to a mechanic for help.
5- Extreme weather conditions
One of the challenges electric vehicles face is that they generally do not handle extreme weather conditions well. When temperatures are too low, they may take longer to charge and in some cases not fully charge.
Hyundai Ioniq vehicles use lithium-ion batteries. If the ionized liquid in the battery freezes certain cells, the battery will die, so it will not be able to receive a charge.
4. Irreplaceable headlight
The headlights on the Hyundai Ioniq are irreplaceable. So even if you’re not a fan of halogen lights, you’ll have to stick with them because you can’t change them.
5. Updated maps and GPS not working
Another common problem with the Hyundai Ioniq is that when the navigation system or the map is updated, it refuses to work. Customers say that once someone downloads the latest GPS software update, it doesn’t show the maps. Other consumers have also claimed that their cars came without pre-installed navigation or maps.
You can fix the problems by resetting the electronic control unit while the car battery is disconnected. If the problem persists, go to the dealer for help with the problem. The good thing is that this fault will not cost you anything to fix.
However, when buying the car, it is a good idea to check that everything works, including the maps and the navigation system.
1- Sudden reduction in power and acceleration
One of the things you look for in a vehicle is performance. For this reason, it can be a great upset when you accelerate and feel that the vehicle loses power . There are even car owners who have claimed that they felt that the car had suddenly turned off.
This problem is due to a manufacturing fault and has been detected in about 2,679 units or 1% of Hyundai Ioniq Electric vehicles. It occurs when the vehicle’s security mode automatically engages, causing a sudden loss of power and acceleration.
If you encounter this issue, check with your dealer to see if the model you have has been recalled.
The good and the bad of the Hyundai Ioniq
Like every motor vehicle, the Hyundai Ioniq has its pros and cons.
Advantages of the Hyundai Ioniq:
Since you know what are the common faults of the Hyundai Ioniq, it is only fair that you also read everything about the advantages of the Ioniq.
1- Excellent security features
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States gave the Hyundai Ioniq high marks in crash test evaluations. Both the plug-in hybrid and the hybrid have some amazing features, like automatic emergency braking on pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane keeping assist.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor are also found on these models.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop and go function automatically adjusts the speed of your car based on the vehicle ahead, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
2- Great fuel savings
Considering that a good MPG is around 50-60, the Hyundai Ioniq has outdone itself in terms of fuel economy. Fuel economy for this vehicle is around 58 MPG.
3- Comfortable and with enough space in the trunk
The trunk is spacious, with 43,000 cubic centimeters. This advantage is due to the fact that the lithium-ion battery is located under the rear bench, which allows manufacturers to maximize boot space. Rear legroom is decent enough to allow for comfort.
4- Great infotainment system
All 2019 models feature an impressive infotainment setup. The car has a 10.25-inch touch screen located on the dashboard, and users can customize the screen with different widgets for various functions such as navigation and audio control.
Best of all, the display is connected to the cloud, which means you can get traffic news and live updates on available charging points.
Disadvantages of the Hyundai Ioniq
Most notorious problems in the Hyundai Ioniq are the following:
- Loses power on climbs
- transmission problems
- Electrical equipment malfunction
- Updated maps and GPS not working
- Sudden reduction in power and acceleration
What do the complaints and reviews say about the Hyundai Ioniq?
The comments and opinions about this car vary, some of them say:
“The Hyundai Ioniq is efficient and has excellent technology. However, it is slow, plus the climate controls should be easier to use.”
“The Hyundai Ioniq might be the most exciting hybrid around, and it’s highly efficient and interestingly understated.”