2019 Honda CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
8,740 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 42 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 23.8% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 19.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
Engine: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electrical System: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Power Train: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 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 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 23 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2019: 6; 2020: 7; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 10; 2025: 5; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 11204059 · 2019-04-26 (April 26, 2019)
THE CAR DRIVES FINE WHEN THERE IS SUFFICIENT BATTERY. WHEN BATTERY LEVEL DROPS TO LOW (2 BARS) THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE BECOMES SLUGGISH AND REVS UP QUITE A BIT. I HAVE DRIVEN ~650 MILES SO FAR AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ALREADY. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED ONLY ONCE IN THE HIGHWAY WHERE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11204059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11208982 · 2019-05-21 (May 21, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE MILES PER GALLON FOR A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 48 MILES; HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL RANGE WAS 38 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE WEST COVINA (LOCATED AT 1840 E GARVEY AVE S, WEST COVINA, CA 91791, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11208982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11353760 · 2020-09-08 (September 8, 2020)
MONDAY SEP 7, 2020 AROUND 11:20 AM UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IN PROCESS TO PARK IN OUR HOUSE GARAGE. WHEN SHE GOT ON THE DRIVE WAY, SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE AND STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN IT. THEN RELEASED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY, WITHOUT PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WITH HER FOOT STILL OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE THEN GENTLY PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP, THEN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY START TO ACCELERATE AND HIT THE GARAGE WALL THEN STOP. SHE HAVE BEEN PARKING THE CAR IN THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485243 · 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)
The brake module failed while driving resulting in total loss of breaking ability
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11309863 · 2020-02-18 (February 18, 2020)
THREE TIMES NOW, OUR NEW 2019 HONDA CLARITY HAS PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. TWICE IN NOVEMBER 2019, ONCE IN JANUARY 2020, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING UP HILLS, ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EACH TIME THE CAR HAS PRODUCED A TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL AND SOUNDS OF HIGH REVVING OF THE ENGINE. IN ALL OF THESE INSTANCES, THE BATTERY WAS LOW, BUT THE GAS LEVEL AND REPORTED RANGE OF THE CAR WAS HIGH. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN ECO MODE, TWICE IT WAS IN OTHER MODES. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH N…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,040 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11625961 · 2024-11-18 (November 18, 2024)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11512450 · 2023-03-17 (March 17, 2023)
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and merging into a lane, the Lane Keep Assist engaged, and the vehicle shuddered significantly and veered towards the opposite direction. Additionally, the steering wheel was significantly resistant. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred when slowly merging into another lane. The contact stated that she would need to quickly merge to prevent the failure from occurring. The message “Lane Keep Assist” was displayed. Additi…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11512450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11600336 · 2024-07-09 (July 9, 2024)
This is an issue, not an incident. When using the regenerative braking paddles on the steering wheel, the vehicle can decelerate at a rapid pace. When this happens, the brake lights do no light up even though it’s slowing down at a rapid pace. This could cause an accident if cars behind do not notice the deceleration.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11600336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11281806 · 2019-11-22 (November 22, 2019)
ON A RANDOM BASIS OUR NEW CLARITY SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH WE ARE JUST CONTINUING IN DRIVE MODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE 2019. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TESTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN AUGUST THIS YEAR WE WERE MAKING A 2 HOUR DRIVE AND ON A TOLL ROAD WITH AN INCLINE IN RIVERSIDE, CA THE REVVING SOUND WAS REALLY LOUD AND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDDLE, NOTHING HAPPENED. I PULLED OVER TO TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503147 · 2023-01-23 (January 23, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503147 at NHTSA ↗