Honda Clarity electric problems
The Honda Clarity is a nameplate used by Honda on alternative fuel vehicles. It was initially used only on hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles such as the 2008 Honda FCX Clarity, but in 2017 the nameplate was expanded to include the battery-electric Honda Clarity Electric and the plug-in hybrid electric Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, in addition to the next generation Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Clarity production ended in August 2021 with US leases for the fuel cell variant continuing through to 2022.
Honda FCX Clarity (2008–2014)
History
The Honda FCX Clarity is based on the 2006 Honda FCX Concept and only available as a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle. The FCX Clarity had electric car qualities such as zero emissions while offering five minute refueling times and long range in a full function large sedan. It was the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to retail customers.
Production began in June 2008 with leasing in the U.S. commenced in July 2008. It was introduced in Japan in November 2008. The FCX Clarity was available for lease in the U.S., Japan and Europe. In the U.S., it was only available to customers who live in Southern California where several hydrogen fuel stations are available. FCX Clarity were leased for US$600 a month in 2010, including collision coverage, maintenance, roadside assistance and hydrogen fuel. There were around 10 others on lease in Japan and another 10 in Europe in 2009. One of the reasons for such a low number of cars in the U.S. was a lack of hydrogen filling stations. In 2014 Honda announced to phase out the FCX Clarity. From 2008 to 2015, Honda leased a total of 48 FCX units in the US.
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Honda Clarity electric model years
Common Honda Clarity electric problems
The Honda Clarity electric car has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from its owners. One of the major issues is related to the electrical system, which can cause battery problems, ignition switch issues, engine harness problems, and other electrical malfunctions. These electrical issues may prevent the car from starting or cause power loss while driving. In some cases, these problems may be covered under warranty, but they often require expensive repairs.
Another common problem reported by Honda Clarity owners is related to the sensing system, which is responsible for automatic braking, cruise control, and lane tracking. Issues with this system can cause the car to suddenly stop working, posing a significant safety risk to drivers and passengers.
Some owners have also reported problems with the display screen, which controls many important functions in the car. When the screen refuses to turn on, it can make it difficult or impossible to use certain features of the car. While turning the car off and on again may sometimes resolve the issue, in many cases, the only solution is to take the car back to the dealer for repair.
In addition to these issues, some Honda Clarity owners have reported problems with the A/C system, which may not work properly or may blow hot air on one side of the car while blowing cold air on the other. This can be a significant inconvenience, especially in hot weather.
Finally, some Honda Clarity owners have reported issues with the car's battery range, which may drop significantly after just a year and a half of use. In some cases, Honda Canada has refused to do anything to address this issue, leaving owners to consider legal action.
Overall, while the Honda Clarity electric car has many positive features, it is important for potential buyers to be aware of these common problems and to consider the potential costs and risks associated with owning this car.
How long will a Honda Clarity battery last?
How often should you replace your 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In battery? Every 3 to 5 years, but you should have your battery tested regularly for extreme drops in voltage to make sure it's operating at a dependable level.
Why did Honda discontinue the Clarity plug-in?
According to Honda's official statement on why the Clarity FCV was being pulled from its line-up, it cited a low market demand for fuel cell vehicles, the dearth of hydrogen fuel stations, a lackluster market reception, and a lack of government subsidies for fuel cell vehicles.
Is Honda Clarity good or bad?
You pay more for the Honda Clarity Plug-In compared with its closest rival, the Toyota Prius Prime, but in return you get higher build quality and more space. Simulated open-pore wood and suede accents in the cabin are appreciated, if lacking a little spice with muted colors and tones. Warranty coverage is average.
How many miles can a Honda Clarity go on electric?
Compare Side-by-Side
| 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|
| EPA Fuel Economy 1 gallon of gasoline=33.7 kWh Show electric charging stations near me | .0 gal/100mi of gas + 31 kWh/100mi 2.4 gal/100mi |
| 48 miles Elec + Gas All Elec: 0-47 mi 340 miles Total Range | |
| About Plug-in Hybrid Cars |
Percentage distribution of complaints by Honda Clarity electric years
We have researched Honda problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Honda Clarity electric cars and compiled the top 4 most problematic Honda Clarity electric model years:
- Honda Clarity electric 2019
- Honda Clarity electric 2020
- Honda Clarity electric 2017
- Honda Clarity electric 2018
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Honda Clarity electric model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Honda Clarity electric years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Honda Clarity electric car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Honda Clarity electric , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Steering problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Honda Clarity electric vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Honda Clarity electric . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Honda Clarity electric vehicles.
List of Honda Clarity electric complaints
Honda Clarity electric 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-12
- VIN: JHMZC5F37LC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: While driving on freeway traffic in front of Clarity began to slow down. In reaction to this brakes were mildly applied, nothing aggressive, and the car was driven towards an open off-ramp to avoid the issue in front. At this moment the car, on its own slammed on the brakes. This created a very unsafe condition and caused following drivers to swerve off the surface of the freeway to avoid a collision with rear end of Clarity. So in short a fairly routing accident avoidance maneuver was turned into a serious and dangerous situation. We are actually concerned this will happen again and lead to an accident. We know the difference between a reasonable application of the brake assist system and what happened here.
Honda Clarity electric 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-19
- Date Complaint: 2023-08-31
- VIN: JHMZC6F39KC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: We have a Clarity EV. It has been great for 4 years. But recently, all of the sudden, we started getting system failure messages on the dash. Different systems, including brakes. And the brake pedal went to the floor. I have read about similar failures online at “clarity forum”. Some who posted believe it is a 12-volt battery problem. And Triple A came out and tested it and said the battery is due for replacement Here’s the thing: my mechanic cleared the codes and the car ran perfectly for 24 hours. Before the failures happened again. I took it to Honda, and they insist that the brake system is the problem. And that it’s dangerous to drive the way it is. They say a “brake fuel sensor code” recommended replacing a (brake) “cylinder set” for $2495 I decided to have them install a new battery first. And wanted them to “clear the codes”. i am not sure they cleared them, cuz the brakes still go to the floorboard. So: It’s either a battery issue (or something else) causing the error codes. And we are then being told an expensive brake repair has to be done. Or The brake system failed at 37,000 miles. Which should be a recall item Or. it is both Because of other postings with problems similar to mine, i think the car should be recalled because of the brakes
Honda Clarity electric 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-30
- Date Complaint: 2023-05-30
- VIN: JHMZC5F30LC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: AC condenser has leak, covered by an extended warranty up to 10 years from purchase of car due issue with factory installed condenser. However, at 3 years old and 37356 miles the evaporator also has a leak. Honda will not fix condenser under warranty unless we pay $2,000 to fix the evaporator.
Honda Clarity electric 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2021-07-15
- Date Complaint: 2022-01-06
- VIN: jhmvc6f36kc
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Electric. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up as needed. The contact mentioned the vehicle had to be jump-started. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Honda Clarity electric 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-14
- Date Complaint: 2020-09-11
- VIN: JHMZC5F34LC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
Honda Clarity electric 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-13
- Date Complaint: 2019-10-14
- VIN: JHMZC5F14KC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: PHEV BURNING SMELL ECON (EV) DRIVING. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THE BATTERY DROPS TO TWO BARS, WHICH MEANS MODE WAS CHANGED TO HYBRID FROM ECON. THERE WERE BIG VROOM SOUNDS FROM ENGINE ROOM WHEN EV MODE CONVERTED HYBRID MODE AT THE SPEED OF 60-70 MPH. EVEN AT THE SPEED OF 5-10 MPH, THE ENGINE SOUND WAS REALLY BIG (IT SOUNDED LIKE REALLY HIGH RPM AT THE LOW SPEED). AROUND 2-3 MIN DRIVING AS HYBRID MODE FROM ECON, I FELT VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL FROM THE ENGINE AREA. I GOOGLED AND FOUND I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE WOULD BE PROBLEMS WITH EV, ICE, HYBRID SYSTEM. ALSO IT COULD BE FIRE HAZARD WHEN BEING CHARGED.
Honda Clarity electric 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-15
- Date Complaint: 2017-12-05
- VIN: JHMZC6F34HC
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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 TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER 21 DAYS AGO WITH 111 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS OF TODAY (12/5/2017), DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.
Recalls Honda Clarity electric
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Honda Clarity electric.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Honda Clarity electric 2019
- Report Received Date: 2020-06-04
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Clarity Fuel Cell, Clarity Electric, and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Z7L.
Are you having problems with your Honda Clarity electric?
