Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid other reported problems
29 of the
290 complaints filed about the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
are about the other systems —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
COMPONENT FAILURE: 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV Air Conditioning Evaporator Core. Complete refrigerant leak. Available for inspection/repair at Norm Reeves Honda Huntington Beach. Confirmed July 29, 2026, via borescope/UV dye. Repair estimate: $3,151-$3,217. SAFETY RISK: Vehicle is inoperable without A/C on Southern California freeways during extreme heat. Operating in 100+ degree heat causes heat exhaustion, reduced driver alertness, and high accident risk. DEALER/INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION: Confirmed by Norm Reeves Honda Superstore Huntington Beach (July 29, 2026) using borescope camera and UV dye. Written estimate provided. No independent inspection. MANUFACTURER/POLICE/INSURANCE: No inspections by American Honda, police, or insurance. Component is inside the vehicle and available for manufacturer inspection. WARNING SIGNS & TIMELINE: Aug 9, 2025: A/C blowing warm (95,737 mi); pressure checked as "normal." Feb 16, 2026: Total failure; condenser replaced under TSB 21-017 (101,548 mi). Dealership missed concurrent evaporator evaluation. Apr 24, 2026: A/C failed again (103,562 mi). Dealership photographed active "AC leak," marked "Requires Immediate Attention," but abandoned repair for 3 months. Jul 29, 2026: Catastrophic evaporator failure confirmed (107,857 mi per the dealer). PATTERN & REQUEST: This documents a pattern where 2018-2021 Clarity evaporator failures follow factory-defective condensers (TSB 21-017). Dealership missed multiple opportunities to diagnose/prevent this (August, February, and April). Vehicle is now unsafe for hot-weather commuting. Reporting to NHTSA to establish a record for potential warranty extension/recall regarding concurrent evaporator/condenser failures. Records and photos available. * More details in attached docs.
NHTSA complaint #11757196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMPONENT FAILURE: 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV Air Conditioning Evaporator Core. Complete refrigerant leak. Available for inspection/repair at Norm Reeves Honda Huntington Beach. Confirmed July 29, 2026, via borescope/UV dye. Repair estimate: $3,151-$3,217. SAFETY RISK: Vehicle is inoperable without A/C on Southern California freeways during extreme heat. Operating in 100+ degree heat causes heat exhaustion, reduced driver alertness, and high accident risk. DEALER/INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION: Confirmed by Norm Reeves Honda Superstore Huntington Beach (July 29, 2026) using borescope camera and UV dye. Written estimate provided. No independent inspection. MANUFACTURER/POLICE/INSURANCE: No inspections by American Honda, police, or insurance. Component is inside the vehicle and available for manufacturer inspection. WARNING SIGNS & TIMELINE: Aug 9, 2025: A/C blowing warm (95,737 mi); pressure checked as "normal." Feb 16, 2026: Total failure; condenser replaced under TSB 21-017 (101,548 mi). Dealership missed concurrent evaporator evaluation. Apr 24, 2026: A/C failed again (103,562 mi). Dealership photographed active "AC leak," marked "Requires Immediate Attention," but abandoned repair for 3 months. Jul 29, 2026: Catastrophic evaporator failure confirmed (107,857 mi). PATTERN & REQUEST: This documents a pattern where 2018-2021 Clarity evaporator failures follow factory-defective condensers (TSB 21-017). Dealership missed multiple opportunities to diagnose/prevent this (August, February, and April). Vehicle is now unsafe for hot-weather commuting. Reporting to NHTSA to establish a record for potential warranty extension/recall regarding concurrent evaporator/condenser failures. Records and photos available. More details in the attached docs.
NHTSA complaint #11757198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Honda Clarity's evaporator core has proven to be a defective component requiring premature replacement, representing a significant design or manufacturing flaw. This evaporator failure appears to be a systemic issue affecting multiple Honda Clarity vehicles, as evidenced by [specific sources - owner forums, service bulletins, etc.]. The defect typically manifests as [specific symptoms you've experienced - loss of cooling, refrigerant leaks, etc.], often occurring well before the expected service life of the component. This premature failure not only creates an unreasonable financial burden on owners but also poses safety concerns when air conditioning systems fail during extreme weather conditions, potentially leading to driver distraction, reduced visibility from fogging, or heat-related health risks.
NHTSA complaint #11689955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Took my car in due to the AC not working. We were told that AC Condenser and AC evaporator was broken. The AC condenser was replaced due to a recall and was placed under warranty a few years ago. Honda, indicated that AC Condenser was still under Warrenty, but the AC Evaporator is not. When it was explained to us at Honda Dealership in Dublin, CA. That the two parts go hand in hand, and that they would not be able to replace the AC Condenser until the AC Evaporator was replaced. As Honda requires a “pass” reading. The repair man at Honda also indicated that with AC Evaporator being broken imposes health risks such as breathing issues, dizziness, exposure to mildew and bacteria, as we were breathing in the gas from refrigerant that was leaking and burning then going in to the cabin of our vehicle when the AC was running. We have contacted Honda of USA and filed a case they indicated that due to our cars mileage, age and out of warranty that they have decided to decline assistance. This will be an ongoing issue as the two parts should be under warranty to get both of them fixed accordingly and to reduce health exposures.
NHTSA complaint #11688006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The evaporator for my air conditioning unit failed. I have 43,000 miles miles on the vehicle and kept up the maintenance on the car directly with the dealership. When the A/C doesn't work, the car can't defrost the windshield properly, which is a USDOT defined safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11667468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2019 Honda Clarity. Both the condenser and evaporator failed at 5 years and 55k miles and cause the AC system to not work, which in turn will not defrost the front windshield in the winter (visibility concern). The dealer has confirmed the issue when I took it into the service department on June 13th, 2025. Honda will replace the condenser for free with Service Bulletin 21-017 which extended the warranty to 10 years. The evaporator is not covered under any warranty and would cost $2,610 to replace. This is a known issue that Honda should cover under a warranty or recall due to it being a safety issue in addition to a comfort issue.
NHTSA complaint #11666847 — 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.
During a U-turn, when I turned the steering wheel my vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpected. I suspect there may have been a malfunction in the vehicle's electronic control system that caused this sudden unintended acceleration. I did alert Honda North America to study the problem. On [XXX], while driving on a narrow street at a speed of less than 5 miles per hour, my vehicle suddenly accelerated as I was making a U-turn. In my nervous response, I pressed the accelerator pedal, which exacerbated the situation and caused my vehicle to hit the driveway bushes at [XXX] Fortunately, the property damage was minor, affecting only the bushes, and there were no injuries. I believe it is important to report this Sudden Unintended Acceleration problem for your file. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11633288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honda vehicles have an A/C problem affecting the condenser and evaporator. Honda has put a 10 year warranty on the condenser but has done nothing to the faulty evaporator because it is a costly fix. The A/C in my Clarity has been a problem the last 3 years and I have had 3 condensers replaced in the car. I took the Clarity in a few weeks ago and now they are saying that it is the evaporator and want to charge me $3000. The evaporator is needed to also defrost the windows. Please force Honda to fix faulty evaporators in the Clarity.
NHTSA complaint #11617736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The A/C evaporator is leaking and it is not working anymore, according to the local Honda Service Center (Pacific Honda San Diego). That's a safety issue because when the A/C doesn't work, the car can't defrost the windshield properly. The local dealership let me know that many cars of the same model are suffering the same issue,
NHTSA complaint #11616730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The AC evaporator failed with only ~ 35000 miles. This is required to make the defroster work properly, a safety issue. It was replaced at my expense when the condenser was replaced under a mfg recall. There were no warnings lights, just warm air.
NHTSA complaint #11606274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The backup camera turns on every time when the vehicle's ignition is on, or all of sudden the backup camera turns on while driving which causes a dangerous illusion. The illusion makes the driver would have hit something because you're not reversing, instead you're driving forward. Furthermore, once the backup camera is activated, you cannot access all your information on the vehicle. The infotainment screen is overwrited by the backup camera.
NHTSA complaint #11530764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger side mirror exploded while driving in our neighborhood in the evening. Heard a loud bang sound and the mirror fell to the ground. Definitely not hitting anything as there were no objects near by.
NHTSA complaint #11516051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER CERTAIN DRIVE MILE CAR DASH BOARD HAS LOUD CLICKING SOUND, WHICH DOESN'T GO AWAY FOR A WHILE EVEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. WHILE DRIVING OR STOPED. DEALERSHIP OR AMERICAN HONDA HAS NO SATISFACTORY ANSWER FOR THE CONCERN. WORRY ME IF VEHICLE GONNA STOP ON FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11415762 — 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.
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.
SINCE RECEIVING THE LEASED VEHICLE I'VE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES FOR CHECKS ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR SPORADICALLY DISENGAGES GEARS WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATION, LOCAL AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. I'VE REGISTERED THE COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE LEASE AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THEY NEVER TOOK THE TRANSMISSION (OR WHATEVER RUNS IT ) APART TO REALLY SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE. THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT CHECK INTO ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN THE TIME SPACE OF AN OIL CHANGE. ALSO, WHEN I ENTERED THE LEASE, IT WAS NEVER ADAMANTLY SAID THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE ELECTRICALLY CHARGED ON A REGULAR TIME FRAME, THAT IT WOULD RUN ON GAS ALONE. I COULD FIND NO INFO IN THE MANUAL PERTAINING THE NECESSITY OF ELECTRICALLY CHARGING THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11350430 — 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.