CarModelProblems.com

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 09/08/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2584 model-years tracked on this site.
134Complaints
1Recalls
9Crashes
1Fires
3Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (18.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine25 · 18.7%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System23 · 17.2%RecalledRecall 23V858000
Power Train19 · 14.2%No official action
Electrical System18 · 13.4%Investigation closedDP22005 → recall 22V063000
Fuel System, Gasoline15 · 11.2%RecalledRecall 23V858000
Vehicle Speed Control11 · 8.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE25 · 18.7%
Unspecified / other20 · 14.9%
POWER TRAIN19 · 14.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18 · 13.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE15 · 11.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 8.2%
SERVICE BRAKES10 · 7.5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER10 · 7.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 · 6.7%

Percentages are the share of the 134 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2023 · reported 12/18/2023

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE I WAS CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL, I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. SINCE THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE HAS A KNOWN OIL DILUTION PROBLEM I…”NHTSA complaint 11405237 — filed 03/28/2021 · ENGINE
“FEW TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED ESPECIALLY IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER, THERE WILL BE LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 11394934 — filed 02/06/2021 · ENGINE
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN. HOWEVER, AS…”NHTSA complaint 11385163 — filed 12/27/2020 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

4820183720191120209202110202211202344202492025272026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid?

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 25 of 134 NHTSA complaints (18.7%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (23), unspecified/other issues (20), power train (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid have?

134 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 23V858000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.