Used Hyundai Ioniq 2017-2022 reliability
Category: Electric car
The well-built and versatile Hyundai Ioniq is great value as a used buy and that goes for all of its versions.
What should I look for in a used Hyundai Ioniq saloon?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
Check the bodywork for scuffs picked up in city centre car parks and look at the operation of all the seats. Some of the plastics in the interior can show marks if it has had a hard life. Make sure all the electrical features work, because there's plenty of them. However, all Ioniqs at the moment will still be covered by the five-year manufacturer's warranty, so defects shouldn’t be a major issue.
What are the most common problems with a used Hyundai Ioniq saloon?
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. Contact your local Hyundai dealer if you think your car might be affected by this.
Risk of power relay fire: There's a possibility that some examples 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.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Hyundai dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Hyundai Ioniq saloon reliable?
The Hyundai Ioniq hybrid and plug-in hybrid are both reliable, but the electric version isn't, as shown in our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey.
Starting with the former two, they ranked second out of 29 cars in the family car class. Its reliability score of 99.2% puts it above many rivals, like the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla. It's only second to the 2011-2019 BMW 1 Series.
A mere 3% of examples reported on for our survey had any problems. Bodywork and the sat-nav/infotainment system were the only areas of concern, with all issues dealt with swiftly at no cost to owners. All cars remained driveable, and remedial work took a day or less, with Hyundai and its dealers covering the cost of all work required to sort things out.
The electric model, on the other hand, came 19th out of 20 cars in the electric car class. Its score of 75.5% is, to put it frankly, terrible and means rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID 3 are more reliable. The only electric car that's less reliable is the Porsche Taycan.
The 12-volt battery was the biggest headache, followed by motor and non-motor electrics. Although all repairs were done for free, 60% of faulty cars were stuck in a workshop for more than a week.
As a car brand, Hyundai managed a good seventh place finish out of 32 manufacturers. Its overall reliability rating of 94.3% makes it more reliable than Kia but less reliable than Toyota.
Used Hyundai Ioniq: owners' reliability data
As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared their experiences with the Hyundai Ioniq, covering hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models. A majority highlighted the vehicle's robust reliability, noting few mechanical issues. Common praises were for the car's durability and the low frequency of repairs needed. However, some owners reported electronic-related faults, particularly with the infotainment system and battery management in the electric versions.
Feedback on dealer services was mixed. Several readers appreciated the professionalism and responsiveness of Hyundai dealerships, especially when handling warranty claims. Others, though, pointed out inconsistencies in service quality, with a few dealerships reportedly lacking in communication and efficiency when addressing faults.
