We just took our 2014 Subaru Forester in for servicing and snow tire installation. This car has had a tough run – we replaced the engine when it was just a few years old, and now it’s at around 600k km, mostly due to my work mileage. It’s coming to the end of its life, and we’re starting to think about getting a full EV. We also have a Prius Prime PHEV, which we both really enjoy.
So, we’re now in the early stages of shopping for a full EV, likely aiming for a spring purchase. This could very well be our last new vehicle since I’m retired, and my spouse works part-time from home. For various reasons, though, we still need two vehicles.
When we mentioned our EV plans to our long-time mechanic (we’ve been with them for 40 years!), he had a lot to say about recalls and potential issues, especially about the Hyundais we’ve test-driven (Ioniq 5 and 6). However, from what I see online, both models seem to have high ratings on sites like CR, Edmunds, and Car and Driver. So now I’m wondering… could there be a bias at play here?
Are mechanics worried about the impact of EVs on their business? Also, what kinds of service or maintenance will a full EV require? With our Prius, most visits are about the ICE components, except for when we had a 12V battery issue, which was covered under warranty.
Hyundai and Kia have had some recall issues on their ICE cars, and they’ve been getting flak over warranty repairs. That said, I haven’t heard much specifically about their EVs.
chozen said:
Hyundai and Kia have had some recall issues on their ICE cars, and they’ve been getting flak over warranty repairs. That said, I haven’t heard much specifically about their EVs.
There are definitely some recalls and TSBs on Hyundai/Kia EVs, but it’s usually not serious stuff. I own a 2022 Ioniq 5 and, while I’ve had a couple of recalls and TSBs, nothing major has gone wrong. I switched over from a Subaru myself and honestly don’t regret it! A lot depends on your local dealership though when it comes to service experiences.
chozen said:
Hyundai and Kia have had some recall issues on their ICE cars, and they’ve been getting flak over warranty repairs. That said, I haven’t heard much specifically about their EVs.
Yeah, I know the Kona and Niro had some issues with coolant crystallization and the drive motor. They also had a battery recall. Mine’s been good so far, but these issues do pop up for some owners. Nothing’s perfect, I guess.
You’ve been with the same mechanic for 40 years? Wow! But, are they open to EV tech? A lot of old-school mechanics can have strong opinions against EVs, especially if they’ve mostly worked on ICE cars.
With EVs, there’s just so much less to maintain. No oil changes, fewer moving parts, and with regenerative braking, you’re not replacing brakes as often either. I have a Tesla Model 3, and so far, I’ve only needed windshield washer fluid. Going to change the cabin air filter soon, but there’s really not much else needed.
I’ve had two recalls on my Ioniq 6 – both were software updates that took a couple of hours at the dealership. In 20,000 miles, I’ve only done tire rotations, checked fluids, and changed the air filter. EV maintenance is pretty light overall. But I agree, dealer service quality can vary, so check that before committing.
I’m in Norway, and everyone here has an EV. My e-Tron needed some minor warranty work, and my friend’s EV has a gearbox noise issue they’re fixing soon. Honestly, I think dealerships drive a lot of these claims because there’s not much else to fix!
Have you looked at forums for the specific EV models? My Mach-E had an HVBJB issue early on, but they’ve since fixed it. EVs do need less maintenance overall, but when repairs do come up, they can be pricey.
EV-specific repair shops are starting to pop up, but it’s slow progress. Definitely check with local dealerships about their EV mechanics – some places are dragging their feet on training.
Most EVs need little to no preventative maintenance for the first 100,000 miles or more. Usual stuff is rotating tires, changing cabin air filters, and replacing tires or wiper blades when needed. Mechanics may not like EVs because there’s just less frequent work to do. Also, some tools and techniques for EVs are different from what they’re used to with ICE cars.
When the Ioniq 5 first came out, a few owners had an ICCU failure that bricked the car, so some dealers couldn’t get replacements fast enough. You can actually find discounted ones from that time. Thankfully, it was a fluke, and newer ones haven’t had this issue.
Mechanics worry about EVs because they require so much less service – no leaky gaskets or oil changes that ICE cars need all the time. EV services are fewer and often at dealerships due to warranties. Dealerships also aren’t super keen on EVs; I’ve even heard that some dealers in Hawaii don’t sell them anymore. Plus, with tax breaks possibly ending soon, buying by year’s end could be wise.
Our Mach-E has been solid, and a friend loves their Audi E-Tron. Our ICE mechanic has been fine handling our EV’s alignments and maintenance. As a heads-up, buying at the end of the year might save you some money with year-end deals and new tariffs on the way.