2019 Hyundai IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2019 Hyundai IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID has 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: while my wife and i were driving on the interstate, all dashboard warning lights came on at once, and the car began rumbling at regular intervals as it tried and failed to switch from electric vehicle (ev) mode to hybrid ev (hev) mode, and the engine wouldn't start. at the same time, the power steer.
19
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
TRANSMISSION
4 complaints- • While my wife and I were driving on the interstate, all dashboard warning lights came on at once, and the car began rumbling at regular intervals as it tried and failed to switch from electric vehicle (EV) mode to hybrid EV (HEV) mode, and the engine wouldn't start. At the same time, the power steer
- • In the middle lane of a multiple lane highway, it suddenly gave a very confusing warning on the dashboard. It lost power and slowed down quickly to below 40 mph. It didn't help to press down the gas pedal. I was forced to switch from the middle lane to the passing lane in order to reach the shoulder
- • Many times, when I back out of my driveway into the intersection in front of my house the vehicle hesitates for several seconds when shifted from Reverse to Drive. I am in a situation where I cannot accelerate if needed out of the intersection. This is a safety issue in my opinion. The dealer was no
“While my wife and I were driving on the interstate, all dashboard warning lights came on at once, and the car began rumbling at regular intervals as it tried and failed to switch from electric vehicle (EV) mode to hybrid EV (HEV) mode, and the engine wouldn't start. At the same time, the power steer”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
4 complaints- • In the middle lane of a multiple lane highway, it suddenly gave a very confusing warning on the dashboard. It lost power and slowed down quickly to below 40 mph. It didn't help to press down the gas pedal. I was forced to switch from the middle lane to the passing lane in order to reach the shoulder
- • While driving the transmission started driving rough and the car was stuck in ev mode. Wouldnt even go back to hybrid mode. I kept driving until all my battery range was exhausted and lost acceleration and had to pull over the side of the highway. It was late at night so there was no one around or b
- • Following a 12V auxiliary battery replacement at Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai [XXX] , April 3, 2026), the battery hold-down bracket was left completely unsecured. The retaining bolts were absent, (later found loose in the cargo tray area). The battery terminal cover was also improperly secured. I retu
“In the middle lane of a multiple lane highway, it suddenly gave a very confusing warning on the dashboard. It lost power and slowed down quickly to below 40 mph. It didn't help to press down the gas pedal. I was forced to switch from the middle lane to the passing lane in order to reach the shoulder”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints- • APPARENTLY, A FRONT-END COLLISION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN $1232 IN DAMAGE TO BODY PARTS, ANTI-COLLISION RADAR, AND ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL. ASTONISHINGLY, THE BUMPER AND EVEN THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUSTAINED ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WHAT
- • Many times, when I back out of my driveway into the intersection in front of my house the vehicle hesitates for several seconds when shifted from Reverse to Drive. I am in a situation where I cannot accelerate if needed out of the intersection. This is a safety issue in my opinion. The dealer was no
“APPARENTLY, A FRONT-END COLLISION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN $1232 IN DAMAGE TO BODY PARTS, ANTI-COLLISION RADAR, AND ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL. ASTONISHINGLY, THE BUMPER AND EVEN THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUSTAINED ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WHAT”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
2 complaints- • APPARENTLY, A FRONT-END COLLISION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN $1232 IN DAMAGE TO BODY PARTS, ANTI-COLLISION RADAR, AND ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL. ASTONISHINGLY, THE BUMPER AND EVEN THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUSTAINED ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WHAT
- • Supplemental to my complaint filed April 18, 2026 regarding Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai (dealer code OR035). The dealership's Service Manager (Robin Farr) provided me with an HMA training report from Hyundai's internal system. Every staff member is listed at "Certified": the baseline tier. No one is a
“APPARENTLY, A FRONT-END COLLISION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN $1232 IN DAMAGE TO BODY PARTS, ANTI-COLLISION RADAR, AND ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL. ASTONISHINGLY, THE BUMPER AND EVEN THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUSTAINED ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WHAT”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
2 complaints- • Seat belts are stuck and most times does not get intact or reset after you get out of car seat. It has been happening over a month.
- • The rear driver's side seat belt completely detached from the shoulder attachment point.
“Seat belts are stuck and most times does not get intact or reset after you get out of car seat. It has been happening over a month.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 19 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: While my wife and I were driving on the interstate, all dashboard warning lights came on at once, and the car began rumbling at regular intervals as it tried and failed to switch from electric vehicle (EV) mode to hybrid EV (HEV) mode, and the engine wouldn't start. At the same time, the power steer
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: In the middle lane of a multiple lane highway, it suddenly gave a very confusing warning on the dashboard. It lost power and slowed down quickly to below 40 mph. It didn't help to press down the gas pedal. I was forced to switch from the middle lane to the passing lane in order to reach the shoulder
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: APPARENTLY, A FRONT-END COLLISION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN $1232 IN DAMAGE TO BODY PARTS, ANTI-COLLISION RADAR, AND ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL. ASTONISHINGLY, THE BUMPER AND EVEN THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUSTAINED ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WHAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: APPARENTLY, A FRONT-END COLLISION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN $1232 IN DAMAGE TO BODY PARTS, ANTI-COLLISION RADAR, AND ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL. ASTONISHINGLY, THE BUMPER AND EVEN THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUSTAINED ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WHAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Hyundai IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID — Year Comparison
How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 6
- Injury reports
- 4
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2019 Hyundai IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID