AI Damage2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-IN Hybrid reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-IN Hybrid filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 9 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 40% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 40% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 20% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Installing a car seat and the belt buckle failed. The plastic part split and no longer holds the belt together. This was under regular pressure with standard leverage that the car seat design calls for. Nothing was ever on top of the buckle and it is not damaged in any other way at all other than the failure.
Auto Hold/EPB lights come one while driving. Deactivates cruise control of on. Turns off auto hold. Ongoing issue with many reports but no recall or dealership knowledge. Ongoing issue since purchase.
Press brake pedal." This message randomly appears while driving or stopping, and it deactivates the Auto Hold and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) functions. In some cases, the car rolls after stopping because the system fails to hold the vehicle.
During a highway trip that was bumper to bumper traffic at approximately 15mph, the car suddenly would not accelerate while operating on gasoline (not electric). The engine revs would increase to maximum without movement from the car (as if the car was in neutral).
The contact leased a 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he attempted to open the driverâs side door using the key fob; however, the door would not open. The contact contacted Hyundai roadside assistance who assisted him in jumpstarting and recharging the batteries.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,113 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 41% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ioniq Plug-IN Hybrid has 5 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 5, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
- This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and…
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this…
- This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and…
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2024…
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service…
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the…
- This bulletin provides the procedure to update the ECU software on certain 2021-2022MY IONIQ Plug-in…
This bulletin provides the procedure to update the ECU software on certain 2021-2022MY IONIQ Plug-in Hybrid (AE PHEV) vehicles that may exhibit a warning light with DTC U1341 due to communication issues with the…
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-IN Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, forward collision avoidance, service brakes. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (40%), brake failure (20%), door locks, latches, handles (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-IN Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 9 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-IN Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.