FaultScore

Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid vs BMW 535I

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid BMW 535I
Complaints on file 290 722
Model years covered 2017–2021 1986–2016
Worst model year 2018 2011
Best model year 2020 2016
Crashes reported 22 37
Fires reported 1 30
Injuries reported 10 23
Deaths reported 1 0
Most complained-about part Fuel & Propulsion Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 11.7% 12.5%

Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 37 12.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 23 7.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 15 5.2%

BMW 535I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 167 23.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 146 20.2%
Airbags 51 7.1%
Lights 43 6.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 21 2.9%