37 of the
290 complaints filed about the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
are about the engine —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
I will first start with our problems/concerns. We had experienced a complete lost power in freeway speed (65 mph) when the battery is depleted, that is when the battery bar goes to zero bar instead of 2 bars usually. I attached a photo from the video I took for your reference. This experience was the engine ramp up and not getting any power while driving on freeway, escpecially obvious during uphill slope. It is a safety hazard where we had to manuver in order avoid traffic since we could not maintain freeway speed. This originally happened around 2022, but we checked with Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos and they told us nothing is wrong and because there was no fault code, nothing they can do. When the Recall service canoaign 24-031 came, we were relieved because we think the problem is going to be fixed. We brought our Honda Clarity to the dealer on 2/3/2025 for the recall and everything was fine (meaning we can drive on HV after our battery is depleted). But around December 2025, my wife experienced the same situation where she couldn’t keep up with the freeway speed after exhausted the electric range of 34 miles. We took it to dealer again on 1/16/2026 and described the situation, dealer came back and said nothing has been found and there were no fault code. After that, the only way that we are trying to do is to avoid the battery to get down to zero miles, but since our battery is only getting 34 miles full charge instead of the 47 miles when it was new (dealer also said this is normal depreciation, I am not sure about that). Again, thank you for helping since losing engine power and speed on freeway is pretty scary and I hope this is enough information for my case. Here are answers to your questions. VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 85300 Dealership: Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos Details: Vehicle losing power on freeway speed after battery is depleted. As described above. First time it happened: Around 2022 First time dealer address my concern rather than told me th INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A
NHTSA complaint #11738192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Since fuel pump recall fix by dealership, “Emission System Problem” started appearing in my car due to the way fuel pump recall was fixed. They already attempted to fix the issue 5 times but unable to provide permanent fix. Honda corporate office also not willing to help. This is a safety issue as when I drive the car, I smell gas and my car is constantly with dealership without permanent fix.
NHTSA complaint #11644938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to express my serious concern regarding the safety recall for my 2019 Honda Clarity (VIN: [XXX] ). The recall, dated February 2024, pertains to a potential fuel pump failure that could cause engine stalling while driving, posing a significant safety risk. Despite the severity of this issue, I have encountered significant delays and difficulties in getting the necessary repairs completed at my local Honda dealerships. When I contacted them about the recall immediately after receiving notice, I was informed that they do not have the required parts in stock. Furthermore, the date at which the dealers said that they would be receiving the parts continues to get pushed back from the estimated timeframe for receiving these parts, initially stating it would be 2-3 months, but this has been an ongoing issue with no resolution in sight and well past 60 days. This prolonged delay is unacceptable given the potential safety implications. The recall notice clearly states that a fuel pump failure could lead to an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. I am deeply concerned about my safety and that of my passengers while operating this vehicle. I respectfully request that Honda take immediate action to: 1. Expedite the delivery of the necessary parts to my local dealership. 2. Provide a firm date for when the recall repair can be completed on my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11625961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Honda of Escondido (1700 Auto Park Way Escondido, CA 92029); where the vehicle was diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11609826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello, I have received a safety recall notice (23V-858) from Honda back in February and another one in July. I have tried to get them to repair it a few times, but they said they do not have the part yet but should have it sometime in the fall. They are telling me that they are only fixing cars with issues at the moment, which I cannot with 100% certainty say my car has the issue they are talking about. The CSR told me that I would have to pay for diagnostics if they found my car not having the issue in question, which of course I do not want to do. My question is, does Honda not have the duty to fix my car in a timely manner if they have issued a recall for it? I have been waiting for at least 7 months now? That is way too long? Thank you for your attention in this matter [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11607356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving in gas mode, the engine is revving high as in high rpm . I am not sure if the gear is shifting or has problems. The car revs high and the more I push the accelerator the louder the engine sound.
NHTSA complaint #11503147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine RPM's rise (near red line at times) with little to no propulsion. The slang I've found used in online forums, showing that this is a common problem, is "angry bees."
NHTSA complaint #11498681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is a 2019 Honda Clarity hybrid vehicle, with 53000 miles at the time of incident. I was driving up hill going about 55 miles per hour, all of the sudden the speed kept dropping even though the gas pedal remained pressed. Pressing the gas pedal more had no effect on speed, except to increase the engine RPM and the high-pitched noise. Luckily I was on the right lane. Pulled the car over to the shoulder and turned it off. The problem went away after restart. From researching on google, this seems to be a quite common occurrence with Honda Clarity. Since it couldn't be replicated at will, it's difficult to solve. There are speculations online that it could be software related, but my honda dealer wouldn't document the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11494624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car engine makes loud banging noise when it is running on gas instead of electrical battery. I had asked Honda dealer to review but they say they can not do anything about it. It is feels as if car making so much banging noise from engine has inherent issue and will eventually catch fire.
NHTSA complaint #11448485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE I WAS CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL, I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. SINCE THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE HAS A KNOWN OIL DILUTION PROBLEM I HAD OIL ANALYSIS DONE AND THE RESULTS CAME BACK INDICATING THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE OIL WHICH CAN DAMAGE THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE AND EVENTUALLY RESULT IN AN ENGINE FAILURE. I CALLED HONDA CORPORATE OFFICE TO REGISTER THE ISSUE AND ON FEB 24TH, I HAD MY OIL SAMPLED. I RECEIVED THE RESULTS ON MARCH 3RD AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED HONDA THE SAME DAY TO SHARE THE ANALYSIS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECOURSE AS OF YET AND PENDING A RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint #11405237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FEW TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED ESPECIALLY IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER, THERE WILL BE LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING IT WILL TAKE THE COMMAND ENGINE RPM WILL BE HIGHER BUT VEHICLE IS NOT TAKING UP THE SPEED. EITHER IT WILL STAY TO GO AT LOW SPEED OR SLOWLY IT WILL STARTING TO HALT SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED FEW TIMES(ABOUT 5-6 TIMES). AND IN SUCH SITUATION THERE WILL SOME UNACCEPTABLE NOISE FROM ENGINE. ONE TIME WE WERE AT ABOUT 50MPH SPEED BUT I COULDN'T ACCELERATE (JUST LIKE ABOVE) AND HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, STOP THE CAR (SHUT THE ENGINE) AND THEN START THE CAR IT STARTED WORKING FINE. THIS HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN ON GAS AND ESPECIALLY DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER. WHILE ON FULLY EV MODE IT WORKS FINE, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11394934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN. HOWEVER, AS I APPROACHED THE SUMMIT, NO MATTER HOW FAR DOWN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED. WITH THE PEDAL COMPLETELY FLOORED (PAST THE HYBRID SYSTEM CLICK POINT) THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT PICKUP SPEED, NOR DID IT SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS EVEN TRYING TO REV HIGHER. AS I KEPT APPROACHING THE SUMMIT WITH THE PEDAL FLOORED, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOWLY LOSE SPEED. AS A RESULT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP WITH TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MOVE TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE. DURING THIS EXPERIENCE, THE CAR WAS OPERATING IN HYBRID MODE WITH ABOUT 10% BATTERY CHARGE SAVED. MY PREVIOUS PHEV NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR EVEN THOUGH IT HAD LESS SYSTEM HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE. TO EXPERIENCE THIS WAS DISAPPOINTING. NOT KNOWING IF THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY ACCELERATE WHEN I NEED TO IS HIGHLY DISCONCERTING.
NHTSA complaint #11385163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE BATTERY IS LOW THE HONDA CLARITY'S RPM JUMP REALLY HIGH AND VEHICLE REVS REALLY HARD AND STARTS TO LOSE POWER. MY VEHICLE HAD TWO BATTERY BARS AND WHEN I TRIED TO CLIMB IT MOUNTAIN IT LOST SPEED. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE BECAUSE MY CAR KEPT LOSING SPEED AND IT WAS REVVING LIKE IT WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP MOVING. VERY SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN WITH OTHER CARS AND LITTLE CHILDREN IN MY CAR. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE CAR REVVING.
NHTSA complaint #11352172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
7.25.2020 - WHEN CAR IS RUNNING FOR 45 MINUTES, 85 DEGREES F, EV ON, ECON OFF, ENGINES LOSES POWER AND REVS HIGH AFTER 40MPH. 7.18.2020 - WHEN CAR IS RUNNING FOR 45 MINUTES, 89 DEGREES F, EV OFF, ECON ON, ENGINES LOSES POWER AND REVS HIGH AFTER 40MPH. 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HAD THE SIMILAR ISSUE OF THE CAR LOSING POWER AFTER DRIVING FASTER THAN 62 MPH WITH EV MODE ON. A RELAY SWITCH RECALL OCCURRED THAT FIXED THIS ISSUE.. SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #11341513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JULY 4, 2020 DROVE WITH OUR FAMILY OF 2 BABIES ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 50MPH AND TRAVELING A ROUND-TRIP DISTANCE OF 52 MILES. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES WERE ABOUT 89℉. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, THE ENGINE WOULD REV AT A HIGH RPM AT 40MPH. IT COULD BE HEARD AND FELT OVER THE RADIO'S MUSIC. GIVING MORE GAS DIDN'T MAKE THE CAR DRIVE FASTER. ON THE WAY HOME, ABOUT 40 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH AGAIN AT 40MPH, LOST OF POWER, AND THIS TIME MAKING THE CAR'S SPEED SLOW TO 30MPH BECAUSE WE WERE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, LUCKILY. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED BEFORE ON JULY 27,2020 WHEN MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR AND CONPLAINED ABOUT IT DRIVING SLOW AND ENGINE REVVING LOUD. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 1,884 MILES ON IT AND WAS BOUGHT IN JANUARY 2020. LEMON LAW.
NHTSA complaint #11337549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR IS LOSING POWER AND GETTING LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON AN UPHILL ROAD. I HAVE SHOWN MY CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. I HAVE SEEN MANY ONLINE REVIEWS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND STILL, HONDA IS NOT HELPING ITS CUSTOMER.
NHTSA complaint #11330558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHEN THE VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM RUNNING ON THE BATTERY TO FUEL, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE RAN ON VERY HIGH RPMS AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
NHTSA complaint #11268872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BATTERY WAS DEPLETED AND THE ENGINE MODE ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECHARGED AND WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE ENGINE SYSTEM, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, ROAD DEPARTURE, AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,700. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11266735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON APPROX 6 OCCASIONS, WHEN EV POWER IS USED UP, THE CAR SWITCHES TO ICE MODE WITH ISSUES. WHEN TRAVELING UP HILL, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER, AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE ICE REVS EXTREMELY HIGH WITHOUT SPEED GAIN. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A DOWNHILL SITUATION WITH NEARLY FULL EV IN EV MODE. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DISENGAGES DRIVETRAIN. WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. ONE FEELS HELPLESS WHEN THIS OCCURS. MOST OF THE TIME, THE CAR HAD SWITCHES FROM EV TO HV AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT ISSUE. BUT, THE ABOVE PHENOMENA HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR THIS IS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS AN EV, WITH A GAS ENGINE TO TAKE OVER WHEN EV RUNS OUT. AT NO TIME WAS THERE ANY EXPLANATION REGARDING POTENTIAL SITUATIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSAFE AND LOSE POWER. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENSURE RESERVE EV POWER FOR POTENTIAL POWER LOSS SITUATIONS. WHEN THESE SITUATIONS HAVE OCCURRED, UPON SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND EXITING, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AND OTHER MATERIAL SIMILAR TO TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES, OR HOT METAL. CLEARLY SOMETHING IS OVERHEATING, AND IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHUTDOWN AND ALLOWED TO COOL, A REASONABLE PERSON MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, ELECTRIC MOTORS, EV BATTERY, OR TRANSMISSION WOULD TAKE PLACE. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS A PURE EV FOR CITY DRIVING. THE FEAR OF POWER LOSS WITHOUT CONTROL IS EXTREMELY UPSETTING, AND CONSEQUENTLY, NOT GETTING THE VALUE OF VEHICLE. MY SPOUSE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS DRIVER OR PASSENGER IF THE TRIP IS TO EXCEED 20 MILES IN ONE DIRECTION. MY GAS SAVINGS HAS DROPPED CONSIDERABLY AS I AM UNABLE TO RISK RUNNING OUT OF EV BEFORE MY TRIP ENDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND INSPECTED BY HONDA OF AMERICA. THEY DENY THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11204270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.