HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID · model year

2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID

6 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020HYUNDAIIONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID carries 6 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID is service brakes with 2 filings, followed by visibility/wiper (1) and forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control (1). 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 2020 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.

6
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

6 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20260108CrashPOWER TRAIN

When the engine is turned off, and the car is not in park, it rolls. When the engine is turned off the car should automatically switch to P to prevent it from rolling. Our car was left in R with the engine off. And instead of switching to P automatically, it just rolled away and hit the neighbors garage.

20250324SERVICE BRAKES

I leased the vehicle in 03-2021 and within the first year took the car back to the dealer 3 times for complaint on braking system. The brake pedal would loose pressure and stopping distance would extend further than anticipated. the dealer consistently told me that they could not duplicate the problem. now has gotten to the point that EBP light and HOLD light stay on steady and red Brake light flashes, due to this the smart cruise control and crash avoidance system become inoperable. Recently became aware that this issue is known to Hyundai and they have TSB for this issue, TSB # 23-BR-001H which describes the problem with rear caliper harness contamination with moisture. now that my vehicle has passed the 36K miles warranty, dealer wants to charge about $2000 for repairs. Currently have 39685 miles on the vehicle.

20250324FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I leased the vehicle in 03-2021 and within the first year took the car back to the dealer 3 times for complaint on braking system. The brake pedal would loose pressure and stopping distance would extend further than anticipated. the dealer consistently told me that they could not duplicate the problem. now has gotten to the point that EBP light and HOLD light stay on steady and red Brake light flashes, due to this the smart cruise control and crash avoidance system become inoperable. Recently became aware that this issue is known to Hyundai and they have TSB for this issue, TSB # 23-BR-001H which describes the problem with rear caliper harness contamination with moisture. now that my vehicle has passed the 36K miles warranty, dealer wants to charge about $2000 for repairs. Currently have 39685 miles on the vehicle.

20250324FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I leased the vehicle in 03-2021 and within the first year took the car back to the dealer 3 times for complaint on braking system. The brake pedal would loose pressure and stopping distance would extend further than anticipated. the dealer consistently told me that they could not duplicate the problem. now has gotten to the point that EBP light and HOLD light stay on steady and red Brake light flashes, due to this the smart cruise control and crash avoidance system become inoperable. Recently became aware that this issue is known to Hyundai and they have TSB for this issue, TSB # 23-BR-001H which describes the problem with rear caliper harness contamination with moisture. now that my vehicle has passed the 36K miles warranty, dealer wants to charge about $2000 for repairs. Currently have 39685 miles on the vehicle.

20240627VISIBILITY/WIPER

The display does not always show reverse camera when backing up. Not often, but does occur. I can use mirrors, etc. Annoying as it is a learned experience with this car, and when reverse camera is not operational it does limit view behind car due to design. I did capture video this time as it isn't first occurrence. I was in parking lot where I could do this without endangering anyone.

20200813CrashFireSERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ON A 6 LANE RD., NEARING AN INTERSECTION. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE, TRAFFIC ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR, MY BRAKES FAILED. I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS LUCKY THAT WE WERE ALL DRIVING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AN I DID NOT HAVE SERIOUS INJURIES, JUST ONE WEEK OF NECK AND BACK PAIN. THE BRAKES FAILING HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. MY DAUGHTER WAS AT AN INTERSECTION WITH NO TRAFFIC. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW. WHEN SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED AND SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE YELLOW LIGHT. WHEN SHE TRIED OUT THE BRAKES AFTER THAT, THEY WORKED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS ONLY 973 MILES ON IT. WE HAD IT ONLY FOR 6 WEEKS AS A NEW VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON JULY 15. HYUNDAI CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS CALLED US ON THE 20TH OF JULY. THEY CLAIMED, WE HAD CONTACTED THEM, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.THEY REQUESTED THAT NOTHING BE DONE ON THE CAR UNTIL THEY HAD A CHANCE TO INSPECT THE CAR. YESTERDAY (8/12/20) THEY TOLD US THAT IT WOULD TAKE 6

Mileage: 973

Compare 2020HYUNDAIIONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID have?
The 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID has 6 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID?
The 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID is SERVICE BRAKES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY/WIPER and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL.
Is the 2020 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. The 2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.