Is the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid reliable?

The 2018 model has the highest complaint index (100) among Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years and the most reported problems, 134 complaints, with fuel system and engine issues leading. NHTSA also recorded 9 crashes and 1 fire tied to this year.

Does the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid: one covering the fuel pump module across 2018 and 2019 models, and one covering rear seat belt assemblies on 2019 models.

Which Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid year is best?

No year is listed as a best year in the data. The 2020 model is marked Caution with a lower complaint index of 50, and 2017 and 2021 have very few complaints logged.

Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2017–2021)

The 2018 and 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 75. 2018 alone accounts for 134 of the model's 185 total complaints, led by fuel system and engine problems. No model year stands out as best.

Avoid 2018 Avoid 2019

Model years: 5; 2017–2021
NHTSA complaints: 185
Recall campaigns: 2
Crashes reported: 12
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Engine

Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2017	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2018	Avoid	100	134	9	1	1	Fuel System	42	—
2019	Avoid	75	42	2	0	2	Engine	42	—
2020	Caution	50	7	1	0	0	Engine	42	—
2021	No verdict	25	1	0	0	0	Visibility & Wipers	42	—

Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Index 100 · 134 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2018 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and the most complaints overall, 134. Owners reported fuel system issues (29% of that year's complaints, median mileage 11,157.5) and engine problems (25%, median mileage 3,250), including reports of unintended acceleration and brakes that failed to stop the car. Electrical system complaints surfaced early, at a median of 1,100 miles. NHTSA recorded 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries tied to this year, plus one recall covering the fuel pump module.

2018 fuel system problems →2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Index 75 · 42 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2019 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid carries a complaint index of 75. Engine complaints led the year at 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 2,200, followed by fuel system issues at 29% (median mileage 11,520). Owners described unintended acceleration during low-speed parking maneuvers and airbags that failed to deploy correctly in a crash. NHTSA logged 2 crashes and 1 death for this year. Two recalls apply: one for the fuel pump module and one for rear seat belt assemblies with a locking mechanism defect.

2019 engine problems →

Most common Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine52 (28%)
Fuel System51 (28%)
Electrical System37 (20%)
Other29 (16%)
Transmission & Powertrain25 (14%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (10%)
Brakes15 (8%)
Visibility & Wipers15 (8%)
Lane Departure14 (8%)
Airbags5 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018 and 2019 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 75 respectively. 2018 had the most complaints of any year at 134.
Is the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid reliable?: The 2018 model has the highest complaint index (100) among Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years and the most reported problems, 134 complaints, with fuel system and engine issues leading. NHTSA also recorded 9 crashes and 1 fire tied to this year.
Does the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid: one covering the fuel pump module across 2018 and 2019 models, and one covering rear seat belt assemblies on 2019 models.
Which Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid year is best?: No year is listed as a best year in the data. The 2020 model is marked Caution with a lower complaint index of 50, and 2017 and 2021 have very few complaints logged.