at 21,000 miles
Miami, FL
Crash
AIR BAGS
THE CAR STOPPED AND TURNED INTENSELY.
NHTSA complaint #11325464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FaultScore report
2018 Honda Clarity Electric problems
Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 2018 Honda Clarity Electric with NHTSA between 2018 and 2026. The largest single group is the other & unspecified.
—
Not graded
Too few complaints, too short a model run, or older than 1993 — the year the federal file can first describe fairly.
How this is worked outThe numbers
44
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
15,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
83%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
How 2018 compares with every other Honda Clarity Electric
Click any bar to open that year's report.
What breaks on a 2018 Honda Clarity Electric
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
7
15.9%
Median failure at 9,400 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
6
13.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
5
11.4%
Brakes
5
11.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 15,000 mi
Electrical System
5
11.4%
Median failure at 60,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
4
9.1%
Median failure at 60,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
3
6.8%
Transmission & Drivetrain
3
6.8%
Seats
1
2.3%
Median failure at 20 miles
Wheels
1
2.3%
Median failure at 20 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
1
2.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 9,975 mi
Body & Structure
1
2.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 21,000 mi
Steering
1
2.3%
Airbags
1
2.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 21,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
3
25.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
2
16.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
5
41.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2
16.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Honda Clarity Electric 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | — |
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2018
peak 6
Jan 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 21,000 miles
Miami, FL
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CAR STOPPED AND TURNED INTENSELY.
NHTSA complaint #11325464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 miles
Miami, FL
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
THE CAR STOPPED AND TURNED INTENSELY.
NHTSA complaint #11325464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,975 miles
Irvine, CA
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CLARITY ELECTRIC. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AT 5 MPH ON ITS OWN COLLIDING WITH A POLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER FREEWAY HONDA (1505 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705) WHERE THE FAILURE CAUSE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CALIBER COLLISION (1620 E MCFADDEN AVE, SANTA ANA, CA 9270) TO DO THE BODY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,975. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED CRASH WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REARENDED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM BEING REPAIRED THE DAY BEFORE STRIKING THE POLE. *JS *BF
NHTSA complaint #11316151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Kirkland, WA
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle exhibits a dangerous electrical defect involving uncontrolled power-cycling. After shutting down the car, it automatically restarts itself in a continuous loop. During these episodes, the dashboard flickers, the drivetrain shudders, and the vehicle becomes unresponsive to manual 'Stop' button or brake inputs. Most critically, the car autostarts while parked in an enclosed garage. As a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), once the EV battery depletes, the internal combustion engine (ICE) engages automatically. This creates a life-threatening risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning for residents in the connected home. A Honda dealership has professionally diagnosed the cause as a failure of the Body Control Module (BCM). This module failure also causes the anti-theft alarm to trigger uncontrollably and renders the keyless entry system inoperable. This defect turned the vehicle into a life-safety hazard in a residential setting. Visual documentation of the uncontrolled power-cycling and dashboard flickering can be viewed at: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11708588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kirkland, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle exhibits a dangerous electrical defect involving uncontrolled power-cycling. After shutting down the car, it automatically restarts itself in a continuous loop. During these episodes, the dashboard flickers, the drivetrain shudders, and the vehicle becomes unresponsive to manual 'Stop' button or brake inputs. Most critically, the car autostarts while parked in an enclosed garage. As a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), once the EV battery depletes, the internal combustion engine (ICE) engages automatically. This creates a life-threatening risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning for residents in the connected home. A Honda dealership has professionally diagnosed the cause as a failure of the Body Control Module (BCM). This module failure also causes the anti-theft alarm to trigger uncontrollably and renders the keyless entry system inoperable. This defect turned the vehicle into a life-safety hazard in a residential setting. Visual documentation of the uncontrolled power-cycling and dashboard flickering can be viewed at: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11708588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kirkland, WA
ENGINE
The vehicle exhibits a dangerous electrical defect involving uncontrolled power-cycling. After shutting down the car, it automatically restarts itself in a continuous loop. During these episodes, the dashboard flickers, the drivetrain shudders, and the vehicle becomes unresponsive to manual 'Stop' button or brake inputs. Most critically, the car autostarts while parked in an enclosed garage. As a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), once the EV battery depletes, the internal combustion engine (ICE) engages automatically. This creates a life-threatening risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning for residents in the connected home. A Honda dealership has professionally diagnosed the cause as a failure of the Body Control Module (BCM). This module failure also causes the anti-theft alarm to trigger uncontrollably and renders the keyless entry system inoperable. This defect turned the vehicle into a life-safety hazard in a residential setting. Visual documentation of the uncontrolled power-cycling and dashboard flickering can be viewed at: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11708588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Since last Wed. (9/24/2025), the car started to show the warnings of "Adaptive Cruise Control Problem", "Brake Hold System Problem", "Brake System Problem", "Electric Parking Brake Problem", and "Road Departure Mitigation System Problem" from time to time. I bought this VHonda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 2018 in June 2023 as the HoneTrue Certified. Then probably the same time, the car lose the EV mode by itself, and only drives in the gas mode. I found this issue and late manually changed it to EV mode. WHile then it again dropped the EV mode during the driving today (9/28/2025). When I tried to press the EV button, it shows "Drive Mode Change Unavailable"! After stopped at home, I re-started the car, I can change it to EV mode.
NHTSA complaint #11690222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
Since last Wed. (9/24/2025), the car started to show the warnings of "Adaptive Cruise Control Problem", "Brake Hold System Problem", "Brake System Problem", "Electric Parking Brake Problem", and "Road Departure Mitigation System Problem" from time to time. I bought this VHonda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 2018 in June 2023 as the HoneTrue Certified. Then probably the same time, the car lose the EV mode by itself, and only drives in the gas mode. I found this issue and late manually changed it to EV mode. WHile then it again dropped the EV mode during the driving today (9/28/2025). When I tried to press the EV button, it shows "Drive Mode Change Unavailable"! After stopped at home, I re-started the car, I can change it to EV mode.
NHTSA complaint #11690222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Since last Wed. (9/24/2025), the car started to show the warnings of "Adaptive Cruise Control Problem", "Brake Hold System Problem", "Brake System Problem", "Electric Parking Brake Problem", and "Road Departure Mitigation System Problem" from time to time. I bought this VHonda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 2018 in June 2023 as the HoneTrue Certified. Then probably the same time, the car lose the EV mode by itself, and only drives in the gas mode. I found this issue and late manually changed it to EV mode. WHile then it again dropped the EV mode during the driving today (9/28/2025). When I tried to press the EV button, it shows "Drive Mode Change Unavailable"! After stopped at home, I re-started the car, I can change it to EV mode.
NHTSA complaint #11690222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mankato, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC hasn't been out for a while and the defrost option doesn't work because of that. I believe that is a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11687181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
STEERING
The steering makes a horrible clunking sound, and is impercice/sloppy. Dealership refused to acknowledge any issue. Increased effort required to stay within lane. Tie rods are not damaged or worn, issue appears to be with steering rack as far as I can tell.
NHTSA complaint #11625285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this car used with a governmental help from replace my ride program, since I bough the car form a dealer [XXX] ) within few days, I took it to the dealer twice for thermostat replacement and spark plugs. and recently, There was an extended warranty from Honda for the ac condenser as this car has a major problem with ac. I took it to the dealer Honda of Riverside, California and they told me, indeed your condenser needs replacement and the good news, In California, Honda has extended its warranty. Then, they said, but you need to replace your evaporator and I need to pay $2350.26 and they refused to replace the ac condenser under warranty without replacing the evaporator and paying that much of money. I called Honda for help (goodwill) and after about a month (without having my car and many emails and phone call and time and efforts) Honda final response was "sorry, you have high mileage" Case [XXX] I really need your help to protect me from them. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11601789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I bought this car used with a governmental help from replace my ride program, since I bough the car form a dealer [XXX] ) within few days, I took it to the dealer twice for thermostat replacement and spark plugs. and recently, There was an extended warranty from Honda for the ac condenser as this car has a major problem with ac. I took it to the dealer Honda of Riverside, California and they told me, indeed your condenser needs replacement and the good news, In California, Honda has extended its warranty. Then, they said, but you need to replace your evaporator and I need to pay $2350.26 and they refused to replace the ac condenser under warranty without replacing the evaporator and paying that much of money. I called Honda for help (goodwill) and after about a month (without having my car and many emails and phone call and time and efforts) Honda final response was "sorry, you have high mileage" Case [XXX] I really need your help to protect me from them. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11601789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Ana, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
AC working intermittently since the day I bought. Honda replaced the condenser but now the evaporator is leak. This caused the defrost can not work properly. The leaking condenser and the evaporator are well known problems for Clarity owners. Honda should recall this.
NHTSA complaint #11595039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AC evaporator leaks under normal usage and low mileage.
NHTSA complaint #11585619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The A/C isn't working (AGAIN!) this time due to a leak in the A/C evaporator. The dealership just replaced the condensor 7 mos ago and now the evaporator is bad. Honda's whole A/C seems to be a problem for everyone.
NHTSA complaint #11583345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The A/C isn't working (AGAIN!) this time due to a leak in the A/C evaporator. The dealership just replaced the condensor 7 mos ago and now the evaporator is bad. Honda's whole A/C seems to be a problem for everyone.
NHTSA complaint #11583345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I received a notice in the mail last YEAR stating that there was a problem with fuel pump in Honda Clarity and there would be a recall. I cannot get my car serviced. Honda will not respond. A dealer said not safe to drive. And they said they have no idea if they will even have parts this YEAR. Help please.
NHTSA complaint #11578115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Despite what your website says, there is a recall on this car - for the fuel pump. Honda has sent notice of the recall but they have NO parts and NO timeline for the repair. The dealer advised me not "to drive long distances" in the car - that is not an acceptable resolution. Also, I asked the dealer if they could narrow down part availability to "weeks, months or years" and they told me they could not.
NHTSA complaint #11572190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minnetonka, MN
VISIBILITY/WIPER
A/C system has gone out for the third time on the Honda Clarity. This is a safety issue in Minnesota due to windshield fogging during the winter. The A/C system is used to dry the cabin air and prevent fogging. Honda had an extended warranty on the A/C condenser, however, now the A/C evaporator is failing under the same conditions. Dealer wants $2832 to repair.
NHTSA complaint #11563333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chevy Chase, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving straight, no objects in my way, 100 yards behind the car in front of me, and the car automatically breaked with the brake sign flashing on the dash and dinging, bringing me to almost a full stop without my ability to control the car. I had been going ~50mph. It was jarring. I lurched forward, bags and anything on seats flew off. The car behind me almost hit me. There was no reason for the stop. The car has NEVER done this before. I drive 500 miles per week commuting.
NHTSA complaint #11555399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chevy Chase, MD
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving straight, no objects in my way, 100 yards behind the car in front of me, and the car automatically breaked with the brake sign flashing on the dash and dinging, bringing me to almost a full stop without my ability to control the car. I had been going ~50mph. It was jarring. I lurched forward, bags and anything on seats flew off. The car behind me almost hit me. There was no reason for the stop. The car has NEVER done this before. I drive 500 miles per week commuting.
NHTSA complaint #11555399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The vehicle's air condition has been broke down three times. It is leaking freon every where. It costs me $826 to fix the problems. The extended warranty only cover part of the issue. The Honda should cover all the freon leaking related problem.
NHTSA complaint #11524743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment display camera combination is the worst system in any vehicle I’ve seen that has these installed. If it is daylight the screen is nearly impossible to see anything plainly. Someone is going to back into other vehicles or people. This occurs every day the car is used and backed up while the sun is up.
NHTSA complaint #11517949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The infotainment display camera combination is the worst system in any vehicle I’ve seen that has these installed. If it is daylight the screen is nearly impossible to see anything plainly. Someone is going to back into other vehicles or people. This occurs every day the car is used and backed up while the sun is up.
NHTSA complaint #11517949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The infotainment display camera combination is the worst system in any vehicle I’ve seen that has these installed. If it is daylight the screen is nearly impossible to see anything plainly. Someone is going to back into other vehicles or people. This occurs every day the car is used and backed up while the sun is up.
NHTSA complaint #11517949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminster, MD
POWER TRAIN
The engine revs very high and the car dramatically slows down. This has happened three times (including today) in the two years I have owned the car. Once was extremely dangerous as it happened on an Interstate highway when traffic was at highway speeds. We were able to avoid getting in an accident though. Why is there no recall for this common problem with this car?
NHTSA complaint #11513787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminster, MD
ENGINE
The engine revs very high and the car dramatically slows down. This has happened three times (including today) in the two years I have owned the car. Once was extremely dangerous as it happened on an Interstate highway when traffic was at highway speeds. We were able to avoid getting in an accident though. Why is there no recall for this common problem with this car?
NHTSA complaint #11513787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.