Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
3,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 to 2020 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 31 complaints (25.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 25.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 22.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Service Brakes: 6; Engine: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 9; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11052444 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
AFTER CAR WAS CHARGED OVERNIGHT, WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY YELLOW WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE INDICATED CAR SHOULD BE TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE, AND A WARNING LIGHT THAT BATTERY WAS LOW AND WOULD TRANSITION TO LOW POWER MODE. THIS INFORMATION WAS IN CONFLICT WITH THE CHARGE INDICATOR WHICH ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRIVABLE RANGE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES. WHILE MANEUVERING OFF THE FREEWAY ALL POWER SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THIS WAS ON A DOWNWARD-SLOPING OFFRAMP WHERE THE FAILURE OF THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES AND STEERING MADE IT DIFFICULT …
Owner-reported narrative. 111 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268550 · 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
VEHICLE'S SAFETY FEATURES (BRAKE ASSIST AND/OR COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM) WILL ACTIVATE EITHER EXCESSIVELY OR OCCASIONALLY WHEN THERE IS NO OBSTRUCTION WHATSOEVER. THE FULL FORCE BRAKING IN TRAFFIC FOR NO APPARENT REASON COULD EASILY CAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO MINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11088371 · 2018-04-16 (April 16, 2018)
WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF ERROR MESSAGES WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. CAR IS NOW AT HONDA DEALER SINCE 4/5/2018. I WAS TOLD THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. DEALER UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ETA ON THE BATTERY. MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE SIMILAR ERROR CODES.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316151 · 2020-03-04 (March 4, 2020)
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 DI…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,975 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397702 · 2021-02-24 (February 24, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CLARITY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE RPM'S REVVED UP ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE RANGE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLIE'S HONDA (448 WESTERN AVE, AUGUSTA, ME 04330) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NO FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11625285 · 2024-11-14 (November 14, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11572190 · 2024-02-15 (February 15, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578115 · 2024-03-18 (March 18, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11354499 · 2020-09-11 (September 11, 2020)
THIS NEW CAR, AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS, LOSES POWER AS IF IT HAS STALLED OUT FOR A SHORT TIME. WHEN OCCURRING AS ONE IS MAKING A LEFT TURN, IT CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I MIGHT DESCRIBE IT AS A HESITATION OF ACCELERATION BECAUSE, AS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. IT APPEARS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THE CAR IS TURNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354499 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
2017: 0; 2018: 0; 2019: 1; 2020: 0