RoadVitals

2019 Honda Clarity Electric

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Aug 31, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 4, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Honda Clarity Electric, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V326000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Jun 4, 2020
128 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number Z7LView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 31, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11541968
Incident
Aug 19, 2023
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11446519
Incident
Jul 15, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11269630
Incident
Oct 13, 2019
Mileage
1,600 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Clarity Electric by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020300—
2019Viewing311—
2018240147.2
2017101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.