2021-present · 77.4 kWh AWD · 325 hp · 480 km WLTP
Hyundai's retro-styled electric crossover built on the E-GMP 800V platform, capable of 10-80% charging in 18 minutes when everything works properly. Award-winning design and spacious interior make it popular with families and tech enthusiasts. However, the ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) is a significant failure point affecting roughly 1.6% of all E-GMP vehicles - when it fails, the car becomes completely immobile and requires towing. 12V battery drain is common, heat pump failures occur on AWD models, and the thin paint chips easily. Most issues are covered under Hyundai's excellent 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty and 5-year unlimited mileage general warranty in Europe.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€650 - €1,150/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€400-700
Risk buffer
€250-450
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) failure€0 (warranty) or €4,000-5,000
Affects 1.6% of E-GMP vehicles - car becomes completely immobile · more· less
The ICCU manages all charging functions, 12V battery charging, and V2L capability. When it fails, you see a "Power Limited" warning, then the car gradually loses power until it won't move - requiring a tow. Hyundai has issued two recalls affecting 145,351 vehicles in the US (2022-2024 Ioniq 5, 2023-2025 Ioniq 6, plus Genesis and Kia EV6). Failure causes: overvoltage stress during charging cycles and thermal loading. Parts have been on 3-month backorder with repairs taking 4-6 weeks. Some owners report repeat failures even after recall fix. Covered under warranty, but requires new ICCU, fuse replacement, coolant drain/refill, and software update.
12V battery drain / failure€150-400
Car won't start after sitting 1-2 days, multiple replacements common · more· less
The 12V battery drains rapidly - the car won't start after just 1-2 days parked in severe cases. Main causes: unauthorized third-party Bluelink apps making up to 5,000 requests per day, ICCU coolant leakage, charging door sensor faults, and main battery below 20% SOC (won't charge 12V below this level). Hyundai limited Bluelink server traffic to 20 transactions per day from January 2023 and blocked problematic apps. Some owners report battery failures every 6-8 hours or multiple replacements within 12 months. Solution: keep car on trickle charger if not driven daily, or use climate pre-conditioning via app to keep 12V charged.
AWD models have heat pump - failures require compressor/inverter replacement · more· less
AWD Ioniq 5s (2022-2023 US spec, all 2023+ EU spec) have a heat pump for cabin heating. The system has two components: heat pump and PTC resistive heater. When heat pump fails, some heat still works via PTC but remote climate pre-conditioning stops working completely. Diagnosis can take weeks. TSB 22-71-001 advises replacing both PTC heater control unit and PTC heater. Some cars have been in dealerships 4-5 times with AC head units and PTC heaters replaced multiple times. Successful repairs typically require replacing compressor, inverter, refrigerant, and high voltage fuse. Parts can be backordered 7+ weeks from Korea. Compressor alone costs €1,000-1,400 plus labor.
Tailgate / rear hatch rattle€0 (warranty TSB fix)
Very common - TSB issued, dealer applies washers to bump stops · more· less
After approximately 2,000-3,000 km, rear hatch rattles over small bumps and potholes. This is a design issue affecting most Ioniq 5s. TSBs 23-BD-006H and 23-BD-006H-1 describe the fix: install washer pads to side guide bumpers and apply wrapping to struts. TSB 24-BD-012H provides updated larger/softer bumpers that completely eliminate the noise. The hatch visibly moves when going over bumps. Covered under warranty - dealers know this issue well. Some owners have successfully DIY fixed with hardware store washers or velcro loop material on bumpers.
AC charging overheating / throttling€0 (design limitation)
Level 2 charging at 48A causes port to overheat, stops charging · more· less
Known issue with all E-GMP platform cars. The AC charging inlet reaches over 230°F (110°C) and trips the overheat sensor, stopping the charge. Hyundai claims the car can charge at 48A/11kW on Level 2, but in practice it frequently fails at this rate and stops altogether. The car won't work with some public chargers and won't fully charge at others. This is a fundamental design issue, not a defect - no permanent fix exists. Workaround: reduce charging current to 32A or lower.
Paint chipping / thin clear coat€500-2,000
Hyundai paint is notoriously thin and soft - chips very easily · more· less
Owners report 20+ paint chips within the first two years despite unchanged driving habits. The paint is described as thin and soft, with "every touch leaving a mark, scratch, chip or dent." Black paint on plastic trim is especially bad with severe orange peel. Stone chips occur much more easily than on other brands. Hyundai dealers claim issues are "within spec and commercially acceptable." Paint defects may be covered under warranty if approved, but stone chip damage is not covered. Solutions: paint protection film (PPF) on front end and vulnerable areas, though this costs €1,500-2,000 for full front coverage. Touch-up paint kits available but results vary.
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) outlet failure€150-400
Interior V2L plug contacts fail, LED stays blue, no power output · more· less
The interior V2L outlet stops working - LED indicator stays blue and won't turn green/red, with no power delivered. The plug can be loose and wiggling the cable sometimes helps temporarily, but slight bumps turn it off again. The contacts/microswitch that engage V2L are problematic. Fixes: use plugs with grounding pins for better contact, twist the plug to engage microswitch, or have dealer adjust the switch. Check EV settings for V2L battery cutoff level (default 20%). If ICCU has failed, V2L also won't work. Power limit: 1.8 kW total combined between charge port and back seat outlets (US 120V 15A limit).
Software OTA update failures / bugs€0 (dealer fixes)
OTA only for infotainment - drivetrain updates require dealer visit · more· less
OTA updates are limited to infotainment/navigation only - no OTA for motors, drivetrain, or BMS. Some 2023-2024 owners never receive OTA updates. 2024 models show constant "software needs updating" messages but OTA won't work and dealer says car is up to date. Updates sometimes erase radio presets and disable features like Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. Some owners experienced updates while driving that restricted key functions. Updates can take hours to download/install unless completed during long trips. Regional limitations: some markets (NZ) have no Bluelink connectivity at all, meaning zero OTA capability.
Generally reliable EV with excellent warranty coverage, but ICCU risk is serious
The Ioniq 5 is award-winning and most owners report positive experiences. However, the ICCU failure rate of 1.6% means roughly 1 in 60 vehicles will experience complete loss of power requiring towing and weeks of repair time. The 12V battery drain affects a much higher percentage and can be frustrating for daily use. Most mechanical issues are well-covered under Hyundai's industry-leading 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty and 5-year unlimited mileage general warranty in Europe. Paint quality is the biggest non-warranty concern.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Verify all recall work completed (ICCU, parking brake rollaway). Check for OTA update history.
Tires
Check tread depth and age. AWD with 325 hp wears tires quickly if driven aggressively. Size: 235/55R19 or 255/45R20 depending on trim.
Paint condition
Inspect front bumper, hood, and fenders for stone chips. Check all panels for quality issues, orange peel, and respray evidence.
Test charging
Test both Level 2 AC and DC fast charging if possible. Verify charging doesn't stop due to overheating at high AC rates.
Battery health check
Use OBD adapter with Car Scanner app to check cell voltages and state of health. Should be above 95% for cars under 50,000 km.
Specific for this vehicle
12V battery test - critical check
Ask when 12V was last replaced. Test voltage with multimeter (should be 12.6V+ with car off). Ask if car starts reliably after sitting 2-3 days unused.
Listen for tailgate rattle over bumps
Drive over rough road and listen for rattle from rear. TSB fix may already be applied - check service records.
Verify ICCU recall completion
Contact Hyundai dealer with VIN to confirm ICCU recall 24V-204 and parking brake rollaway recall 22V-324 completed. This is essential.
Heat pump / HVAC function test (AWD only)
Set climate to MAX COLD, wait 5 minutes, monitor power draw on energy screen - should show 2-4 kW HVAC usage. Then test MAX HEAT - should warm cabin quickly. Remote pre-conditioning must work.
Test both V2L outlets if equipped
Bring a plug and test interior V2L outlet and exterior outlet (if car has adapter). Verify LED turns green and power flows.
Check for battery preconditioning feature
Look for "Battery Conditioning Mode" or older "Winter Mode" in menus. Essential for DC fast charging in cold weather.
Inspect underside for battery damage
Walk around with flashlight and inspect battery pack protection. Any scrapes, dents, or damage to battery enclosure is walk-away condition - replacement costs €30,000-40,000.
Verify all accessories present
Check for 120V portable charger, V2L adapters (interior and exterior), both key fobs functional, cargo net, sliding cargo cover.
Headlight alignment check
Ioniq 5s don't come properly calibrated from factory. Test low and high beams at night - if pattern is wrong, dealer must recalibrate.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
ICCU failure - loss of drive power (2022-2024)CRITICAL - Verify completed
Ioniq 5 N brake/acceleration software (2025 N only)Check if N model
High voltage battery bus bar (2025)Check if 2025 model
Contact Hyundai dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed before purchase. The ICCU recall is the most critical - this must be confirmed. Some vehicles may need multiple recall visits if parts were backordered.
Warranty Status
General warranty (Europe)5 years / unlimited km
High-voltage battery warranty8 years / 160,000 km
Battery capacity guarantee70% minimum SOH
Paint warranty3 years (defects only)
Perforation corrosion12 years
Hyundai's European warranty is industry-leading for EVs. The 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty guarantees repairs if state of health drops below 70%. The 5-year unlimited mileage general warranty is transferable to subsequent owners. Commercial use (taxi, rental, rideshare) reduces warranty to 3 years/100,000 km. Stone chip paint damage is not covered.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.