HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID · model year

2019 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID

16 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2019HYUNDAIIONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2019 IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID is power train with 4 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (2) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2019 IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

16
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SEAT BELTS2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE1

Recent Complaints

20250730ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 behind me, otherwise I would have been hit. Once stopped the car would not move at all so I called a tow to get me off the highway. I was away from home and had to tow it 120 miles back to the local dealer. The engine clutch actuator failed and ruined my transmission and left me stranded in the middle of the night!

20250730FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 behind me, otherwise I would have been hit. Once stopped the car would not move at all so I called a tow to get me off the highway. I was away from home and had to tow it 120 miles back to the local dealer. The engine clutch actuator failed and ruined my transmission and left me stranded in the middle of the night!

20250730POWER TRAIN

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 behind me, otherwise I would have been hit. Once stopped the car would not move at all so I called a tow to get me off the highway. I was away from home and had to tow it 120 miles back to the local dealer. The engine clutch actuator failed and ruined my transmission and left me stranded in the middle of the night!

20240318FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 not able to replicate the problem, even though it happens frequently and has not provided a solution. One time, on a long road trip, while climbing a grade the vehicle could not achieve normal highway speeds (could only get to 20-30 mph). Big rigs were right behind the vehicle and were not happy having to slow down. Again creating a big safety hazard.

20240318VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 not able to replicate the problem, even though it happens frequently and has not provided a solution. One time, on a long road trip, while climbing a grade the vehicle could not achieve normal highway speeds (could only get to 20-30 mph). Big rigs were right behind the vehicle and were not happy having to slow down. Again creating a big safety hazard.

20240318POWER TRAIN

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 not able to replicate the problem, even though it happens frequently and has not provided a solution. One time, on a long road trip, while climbing a grade the vehicle could not achieve normal highway speeds (could only get to 20-30 mph). Big rigs were right behind the vehicle and were not happy having to slow down. Again creating a big safety hazard.

20231202SEAT BELTS

The rear driver's side seat belt completely detached from the shoulder attachment point.

20230219SEAT BELTS

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.

20220715CrashPOWER TRAIN

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. The car was side swept by another car in the passing lane because it was at low speed. Once it reached on the shoulder it stopped completely. If it gave a clear warning, for example, "pull out immediately!", and flashed the emergency light automatically, it might save a few seconds, and gave a warning to cars behind. It's a PHEV, and I believe that it used up the battery for driving but failed to automatically start the gas engine.

20220715CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. The car was side swept by another car in the passing lane because it was at low speed. Once it reached on the shoulder it stopped completely. If it gave a clear warning, for example, "pull out immediately!", and flashed the emergency light automatically, it might save a few seconds, and gave a warning to cars behind. It's a PHEV, and I believe that it used up the battery for driving but failed to automatically start the gas engine.

20220715CrashENGINE

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. The car was side swept by another car in the passing lane because it was at low speed. Once it reached on the shoulder it stopped completely. If it gave a clear warning, for example, "pull out immediately!", and flashed the emergency light automatically, it might save a few seconds, and gave a warning to cars behind. It's a PHEV, and I believe that it used up the battery for driving but failed to automatically start the gas engine.

20220614POWER TRAIN

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 steering stopped working, the car struggled to go more than 40 MPH, and it started accelerating on its own and would not stop until I hit the brake. Each time the engine tried and failed to start, the car started accelerating again. I pulled off at a gas station, turned the car off, and called for a tow. I tried to turn it on again but got a "Check Hybrid System" message and could not start the car, so I had it towed to a dealer. They diagnosed it as a dead 12-volt battery; however, they had none in stock and would be unable to get one for 2 weeks, so they charged the 12v and told us we should be able to get home. It happened again a few hundred miles later, and the situation repeated itself. Thi

20210827CrashAIR BAGS

On 08/13/2021 my wife was involved in an accident where the front air bag did not deploy causing her to hit the steering wheel and break her sternum casing extreme pain. We need to understand why the front air bag did not deploy?

20201005CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

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 WHATSOEVER. SEE PHOTOS ATTACHED. THE COLLISION MUST HAVE HAPPENED AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEED AND IT IS OBVIOUS THE FRONT BUMPER DID NOTHING TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE CAR--ITS PRIMARY INTENDED FUNCTION. THIS WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A HOUSE BURNING DOWN TO PROTECT THE FUSE BOX. I CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AND NOTE THAT THE HYUNDAI IONIQ IS AS YET NOT RATED. I SUSPECT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR A CAR TO SUSTAIN SUCH DAMAGE IN A PARKING LOT WITH ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ITS PRIMARY PROTECTION MECHANISM: THE BUMPER. PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS DAMAGED WERE ALL IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE BUMPER--A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR THEM TO BE.

Mileage: 21,000

20201005CrashVEHICLE 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 WHATSOEVER. SEE PHOTOS ATTACHED. THE COLLISION MUST HAVE HAPPENED AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEED AND IT IS OBVIOUS THE FRONT BUMPER DID NOTHING TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE CAR--ITS PRIMARY INTENDED FUNCTION. THIS WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A HOUSE BURNING DOWN TO PROTECT THE FUSE BOX. I CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AND NOTE THAT THE HYUNDAI IONIQ IS AS YET NOT RATED. I SUSPECT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR A CAR TO SUSTAIN SUCH DAMAGE IN A PARKING LOT WITH ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ITS PRIMARY PROTECTION MECHANISM: THE BUMPER. PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS DAMAGED WERE ALL IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE BUMPER--A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR THEM TO BE.

Mileage: 21,000

20201005CrashUNKNOWN OR 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 WHATSOEVER. SEE PHOTOS ATTACHED. THE COLLISION MUST HAVE HAPPENED AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEED AND IT IS OBVIOUS THE FRONT BUMPER DID NOTHING TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE CAR--ITS PRIMARY INTENDED FUNCTION. THIS WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A HOUSE BURNING DOWN TO PROTECT THE FUSE BOX. I CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AND NOTE THAT THE HYUNDAI IONIQ IS AS YET NOT RATED. I SUSPECT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR A CAR TO SUSTAIN SUCH DAMAGE IN A PARKING LOT WITH ALMOST NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ITS PRIMARY PROTECTION MECHANISM: THE BUMPER. PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS DAMAGED WERE ALL IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE BUMPER--A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR THEM TO BE.

Mileage: 21,000

Compare 2019HYUNDAIIONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2019 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID have?
The 2019 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID has 16 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2019 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID is POWER TRAIN with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2019 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.