The Hyundai Ioniq is a five-door compact liftback/hatchback that was first introduced for the 2016 model year and ceased production in 2022. The Ioniq is available in either hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or 100% electric form. This was also the very first model out of Hyundai’s illustrious Ioniq range of fully electric cars.
In this article, we will mention all the potential transmission problems the Ioniq tends to suffer from. So, if you are interested in buying the Ioniq and want to know how reliable the transmission is, you’ve come to the right place!
The 2016-2022 Hyundai Ioniq 6-speed DCT transmission suffers from bad shift quality (harsh shifting, laziness, jerkiness, shift flares), potential TCM issues, and issues with the clutch. The 2016-2022 Ioniq Electric shift-by-wire 1-speed transmission does not seem to be experiencing any notable issues with its transmission. Still, some owners did report problems with the car going into limp mode while trying to accelerate.
These don’t tell the full story, which is why we are going to outline all of these issues down below in a more detailed manner. Read on!
Common Hyundai Ioniq Transmission Problems
There is only one generation of the Hyundai Ioniq on the market which means that we are going to keep this nice and short. We will only mention the issues associated with the D6KF1 6-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic, as this is the only transmission you can get with the Ioniq. The Ioniq Electric uses a special shift-by-wire G1F24 one-speed transmission which does not seem to be problematic for the most part.
Before going any further, we also need to address that none of these have ever been recalled with the Ioniq and that no official problem-related TSBs have been issued for the Ioniq. Still, the 6-speed DCT did see a few recalls and TSBs with other more popular Hyundai models.
First Generation (2016-2022 Hyundai Ioniq)
The 1st generation of the Hyundai Ioniq uses two different transmissions:
- D6KF1 6-Speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic (HEV and PHEV models)
- Shift-by-wire G1F24 One-Speed transmission (Ioniq Electric)
D6KF1 6-Speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic transmission
The Ioniq is not the world’s most popular car, which means that finding correct information regarding its transmission is not all that easy. However, the 6-speed DCT found in the PHEV and conventional hybrid Ioniq does seem to sometimes have issues with questionable shift quality, which includes hard shifting, slipping during a gear change, or potential shift flares.
The 6-speed DCT in the Ioniq has also had various issues with being slow/unwilling to engage, which was often reported for more popular Hyundai models like the Tucson SUV. One owner of a 2018 Ioniq (11449635 NHTSA complaint) said that the transmission in the Ioniq suffers from the same defect one can find in the Tucson related to a faulty TCM or the clutch and prompt up the P17EB fault code.
Shift-by-Wire G1F24 One-Speed Transmission
First of all, even electric cars have transmissions, but these are vastly different than those you’d typically find in a combustion engine car. The one (G1F24) found in the Hyundai Ioniq Electric seems to be holding up really well, but there is a particular complaint we ought to address.
A few owners complained that the car tends to go into limp mode while braking and trying to accelerate rightly after. One owner of a 2017 Ioniq EV (11352395 NHTSA complaint) said that his Ioniq EV sets off the “active flap system” warning light and immediately puts the car into limp mode. Granted, these are not common, but neither is the Ioniq EV.
FAQ Section
How Long Does A Hyundai Ioniq Transmission Last?
The D6KF1 6-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic found in the Hyundai Ioniq is known to last 200,000 miles without needing major mechanical overhauls and rebuilds if maintained properly. This includes re-flushing and re-filling the transmission fluid every 90,000 miles and replacing the filter every 30,000 – 50,000 miles.
The Shift-by-wire G1F24 One-Speed transmission found in the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is more of a mystery, but that is for two distinct reasons. First of all, this transmission isn’t as delicate as you’d imagine and should be able to outlast the car’s entire powertrain system (battery + electric motors). Hyundai backed the Ioniq’s battery with an 8-year coverage, so you shouldn’t worry there. Secondly, this transmission there aren’t many of these around, which means that we are not likely to ever get a proper and thorough assessment of its longevity.
How Much Does A Hyundai Ioniq Transmission Cost?
If you need a brand-new Hyundai 6-Speed DCT D6KF1 automatic transmission, you are looking at around $2,000 per piece, which is in line with many other Hyundai DCT automatic transmissions. You can also pick these up used or barely used for $668-$1418 if you want to save a few bucks in the process.
The cost of a brand-new shift-by-wire G1F24 One-Speed transmission is unknown as these are as rare as one can be. Granted, the price shouldn’t be astronomical, but we aren’t likely to know until Ioniq Electric models start coming out of warranty and potentially having issues with these.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, while the Hyundai Ioniq boasts a unique place in Hyundai’s lineup as one of its pioneering electric models, potential buyers should be aware of certain transmission issues. The 6-speed DCT transmission, prevalent in models from 2016 to 2022, presents various challenges, from shift quality problems to TCM glitches. On the brighter side, the Ioniq Electric’s shift-by-wire 1-speed transmission is generally more reliable, though some isolated incidents of limp mode have been reported. As with any vehicle purchase, understanding potential problems and their details is vital for informed decision-making.
Marko´s interest in cars runs in the family. His father was a car trader and regularly took him to car dealerships when he was younger.
These days, when he isn´t watching Drivetribe or Doug DeMuro videos, he´s building up quite a resume as an automotive writer since he´s also a regular contributor on Cararc.com, Tirehungry.com, and Luxurycarsa2z.com.