YearToAvoid

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 5 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid ranks worst (1 of 5 model years) with a Complaint Index of 100 and 134 NHTSA complaints. Fuel System issues lead with 39 complaints, followed by Engine at 33. NHTSA lists 1 recall tied to the fuel pump.

Complaints
134
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
9 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
42
44 city / 40 hwy

Top 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System39 (29%)
  2. Engine33 (25%)
  3. Electrical System26 (19%)
  4. Other20 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain19 (14%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (10%)
  7. Brakes11 (8%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers10 (7%)
  9. Lane Departure9 (7%)
  10. Airbags3 (2%)

What owners report

  • Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration during low-speed parking maneuvers, with brakes failing to slow the vehicle and airbags not deploying on impact.
  • Owners describe forward collision warning and crash mitigation systems failing to activate before low-speed crashes.
  • Some report the engine revving on its own while cruising at highway speed before the car unexpectedly slowed.
  • Electrical complaints include high beam headlights described as too dim even after adjustment.
  • Fuel system complaints include drivers awaiting a recall-related fuel pump replacement with long wait times from dealers.
  • One owner reported brakes intermittently failing to engage in traffic along with an engine jerking sensation.
2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per quarter232018 Q12019 Q12020 Q22021 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
191 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (23).

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
44 MPG
Highway
40 MPG
Combined
42 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020172018201920202021
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017No verdict010—
2018Avoid100134142
2019Avoid7542242
2020Caution507042

All Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid reliable?
Among the 5 model years with data, 2018 ranks worst with a Complaint Index of 100 and 134 complaints, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Clarity Plug-in Hybrid years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid?
NHTSA complaints show Fuel System issues account for 39 complaints (29%), followed by Engine at 33 complaints (25%) and Electrical System at 26 complaints (19%).
Does the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall (campaign 23V858000) covering the fuel pump module, with dealers replacing it free of charge; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How many crashes and fires were reported for the 2018 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid?
NHTSA data shows 9 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported for the 2018 model year.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 42 mpg combined (44 city / 40 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,550.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.