2018 Honda Clarity Electric
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Honda › Clarity Electric › 2018
These records cover every 2018 Honda Clarity Electric. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
24 complaints2 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · 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'…
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)
- Electrical system · Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control · 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…
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Unknown or other · 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…
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)
- 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.
- Electrical system
AC evaporator leaks under normal usage and low mileage.
- Unknown or other · 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking · 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…
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.
- 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.
- Electrical system · Lane departure › Blind spot detection · 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.
- Engine · 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?
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system · Power train
While driving home at night I exited the 60 Freeway and turned right to go up a hill. The car would not move forward and I had to pull over. I noticed the battery indicator had 1 bar on it and the engine revved but the car would not go. After waiting the battery got recharged and we were able to…
While driving home at night I exited the 60 Freeway and turned right to go up a hill. The car would not move forward and I had to pull over. I noticed the battery indicator had 1 bar on it and the engine revved but the car would not go. After waiting the battery got recharged and we were able to complete our trip. I believe we were at risk due to the car slowing so suddenly it could have resulted in being rear ended. The car has not been taken yet to a dealer for this issue or been inspected by anyone. There were no warning lights or sounds from the car. This is second time this has happened in similar circumstances.
- Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control · Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking · Lane departure › Assist
The car suddenly suspends LCAS, ACC (all related with camera located on the windshield) emergency breaking system on the road without any warning causing dangerous situation for me. I had couple of times a probability of severe accidents.
- Unknown or other
all four doors will not lock and unlock. the power door motors do not function properly.
- Electrical system · Engine
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…
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 mileage was approximately 60,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Air bags · Service brakes · Structure › Body
The car stopped and turned intensely. *tr
- 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…
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*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Unknown or other
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.
- Seats · Service brakes · Wheels
No spare tire provided. Roadside assistance promised by honda waiting time happened more than 4 hours. This IS potentially danger while waiting for roadside assistance from honda and it doesn't have spare tire. Since its new car purchase, honda promised they freely provide first three years…
No spare tire provided. Roadside assistance promised by honda waiting time happened more than 4 hours. This IS potentially danger while waiting for roadside assistance from honda and it doesn't have spare tire. Since its new car purchase, honda promised they freely provide first three years roadside assistance. My recent travel got tire flattened front one passenger side. Towing to honda dealer later found tire was not repairable ( mieage at that time 3000, 3 months old) . My suspect tire strength vs vehicle weight. 2) the pedaling space for foot placement was very narrow while putting foot on gas /accelerator pedal and infact upper portion of foot IS touching /struck with top of compartment chanmber in that area. This IS serious issue if shoe gets struck while pedaling. 3) while seat height adjusted the head of the driver and roof are almost touching. Its very narrow space between head of the driver and roof. What happens if an accident , not sure how safety with this issue?
- Unknown or other
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.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10154940Service Bulletin - The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Clarity Electric may not start charging when plugged in or may stop charging before the high-voltage lithium-ion battery is full.
- 10147178Service bulletin - The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Clarity Electric may not start charging when plugged in or may stop charging before the high-voltage lithium-ion battery is full.
- 10145433Dealer message - Today, American Honda is announcing several product updates a?ecting certain 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models. There may be multiple combinations of these campaigns per VIN. To clearly identify each vehicle's needs, be sure to do an iN VIN status inquiry for units in dealer inventory and during customer visits. Also, to help ensure customer satisfaction and reduce inconvenience, make sure all parts and software are available when customers arrive. PROBLEM Climate Control: In certain operating conditions, a software issue with the climate control unit and PCM software may lead to incorrect operation of the coolant 3-way valve, causing DTC P26A3 (electric water valve malfunction) to set. Electric Valve Timing Control (EVTC): In certain operating conditions, an issue with the PCM software may lead to incorrect operation of the EVTC, causing DTC P100C (electric VTC motor signal circuit malfunction) and/or P0010 (variable valve timing control [VTC] malfunction) to set. Driver Information Interface: In certain EV mode driving conditions, a software issue with the driver information interface may lead to the HV range reading unusually high (more than 1,000 miles remaining). Warranty information CD placed in the vehicle did not list the correct warranty coverage for the state of Oregon. This may cause customer confusion regarding coverage.
- 10145432Service bulletin - During vehicle assembly, the warranty information CD that was placed in the vehicle did not list the correct warranty coverage for the state of Oregon. The failure to include the proper warranty coverage may cause confusion and potential customer dissatisfaction.
- 10145431Service bulletin - There is a software error in the miles per gallon calculation, which affects the HV range display by reading unusually high.
- 10145430Service bulletin - There is a software problem in the PCM, which may cause the MIL to come on with DTC P26A3 (electric water valve malfunction), DTC P100C (electric VTC motor speed signal circuit malfunction) and/or P0010 (variable valve timing control [VTC] malfunction).
- 10145429Service bulletin - There is a software problem in the climate control unit when running the heater, which may turn the MIL on. There are up to three updates that must be performed on applicable vehicles. Check the iN VIN status inquiry for applicability.
- 10145427Service bulletin - This bulletin is replaced by S/B 18-089, Product Update: 2018 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid EVTC & 3-Way Valve Software Update (P100C/P0010/P26A3)
- 10145426Service bulletin - This bulletin is replaced by S/B 18-091, Product Update: 2018 Clarity PHEV Driver Display Software Update (Mileage)
- 10145390Service bulletin - The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Clarity Electric may not start charging when plugged in or may stop charging before the high-voltage lithium-ion battery is full. The battery charger software does not start charging or may stop before charging is complete in areas with poor or fluctuating power quality.
- 10142444Service bulletin - The HV range display reading is unusually high. There is a software error in the miles per gallon calculation, which affects the remaining HV range display.
- 10115757Service news article - To prevent damage during shipping, leather-wrapped steering wheels come with a protective plastic covering. The easiest way to remove it during PDI is to grab the covering with both hands near the top of the steering wheel and pull it toward you, like you see here. The covering comes right off.
Every Honda Clarity Electric model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.