What year Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2017 and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the two highest in the lineup, driven by electrical, engine, and fuel system complaints.

Which Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid year is best?

2018 and 2021 rate Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 0 and only 13 complaints each, the fewest reported issues among the six model years covered.

Does the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid have a recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2017 Ioniq Hybrid, covering a Power Relay Assembly overheating risk and a hydraulic clutch actuator seal leak.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid reliable?

It has the highest complaint index (100) of any Ioniq Hybrid year, with owners reporting engine surges, unintended acceleration, and electrical lighting failures, plus a recall for loose rear lug nuts.

How many complaints does the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid have overall?

NHTSA lists 124 total complaints and 4 recall campaigns across the 2017-2022 Ioniq Hybrid model years, with Electrical System (34%) and Engine (27%) as the top problem areas.

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2017–2022)

The 2017 and 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100 (the worst in the lineup) plus fire and unintended-acceleration reports. The 2018 and 2021 model years rate Best, with indexes of 20 and 0 and far fewer complaints.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2017 Avoid 2019 Best 2018 Best 2021

Model years: 6; 2017–2022
NHTSA complaints: 124
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 16
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Electrical System

Ioniq Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2017	Avoid	80	41	4	3	3	Electrical System	—	—
2018	Best	20	13	2	0	2	Engine	—	—
2019	Avoid	100	16	5	1	1	Engine	—	—
2020	Good	40	17	3	1	0	Electrical System	—	—
2021	Best	0	13	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2022	Caution	60	24	2	0	0	Brakes	—	—

Ioniq Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Index 100 · 16 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2019 Ioniq Hybrid ranks worst of all years for complaints, with a complaint index of 100 despite only 16 total complaints. Engine issues dominate at 56% of complaints, including reports of unintended acceleration and sudden noises while parked or maneuvering at low speed. Electrical System complaints, at a median of 33,500 miles, include full lighting failures leading to crashes. A recall addresses loose rear lug nuts that could let a wheel detach. Five crashes and four injuries were reported for this year, the highest injury count in the lineup.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Index 80 · 41 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2017 Ioniq Hybrid has the second-highest complaint index (80) of the lineup and 41 total complaints, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 37% of complaints. Owners reported unexpected engine surges while shifting into drive, cabin smoke and fires linked to the Power Relay Assembly, and a hydraulic clutch actuator oil leak. Three separate recalls cover the PRA overheating risk and the HCA seal. Failures ranged from as early as 7,500 miles for engine issues to over 120,000 miles for fuel system complaints, showing problems across the ownership span, not just early on.

2017 electrical system problems →

Most common Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System42 (34%)
Engine34 (27%)
Brakes31 (25%)
Other23 (19%)
Fuel System16 (13%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain14 (11%)
Steering6 (5%)
Lane Departure5 (4%)
Structure & Body5 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2017 and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the two highest in the lineup, driven by electrical, engine, and fuel system complaints.
Which Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid year is best?: 2018 and 2021 rate Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 0 and only 13 complaints each, the fewest reported issues among the six model years covered.
Does the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid have a recall?: Yes. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2017 Ioniq Hybrid, covering a Power Relay Assembly overheating risk and a hydraulic clutch actuator seal leak.
Is the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid reliable?: It has the highest complaint index (100) of any Ioniq Hybrid year, with owners reporting engine surges, unintended acceleration, and electrical lighting failures, plus a recall for loose rear lug nuts.
How many complaints does the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid have overall?: NHTSA lists 124 total complaints and 4 recall campaigns across the 2017-2022 Ioniq Hybrid model years, with Electrical System (34%) and Engine (27%) as the top problem areas.