2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Fuel system Problems

I am writing to report an unresolved high-voltage safety defect involving the Motor Power Inverter Module on my 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The vehicle's high-voltage hybrid propulsion inverter is emitting a severe, high-pitched mechanical squealing noise during acceleration and regenerative braking.The high-voltage inverter serves as the foundational link regulating current between the lithium-ion battery and the electric drive motor. A failing inverter module presents an immediate, unreasonable safety hazard. Internal failure, thermal runaway, or component degradation within the inverter stack creates an imminent risk of sudden high-voltage isolation fault. This will result in an immediate vehicle stall and a total loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds, leaving the vehicle stranded in traffic with no power to accelerate out of harm's way, creating a severe crash hazard.Furthermore, an authorized Honda dealership—Visalia Honda (Groppetti Automotive) in California—has failed to properly diagnose, isolate, or resolve this high-voltage drivetrain defect despite the vehicle being brought in specifically for this issue. Despite the component being legally covered under California’s mandated 15-year/150,000-mile extended emissions and hybrid warranty, the dealership has taken no constructive corrective action, allowing a known, physically degraded high-voltage component to remain active on public roadways.Federal intervention and a formal technical investigation into Honda's clarity hybrid propulsion inverter systems are required to address this vehicle stalling hazard before an electrical failure results in a highway collision.

NHTSA ID

11740510

Incident

May 16, 2026

Currently the high voltage inverter is squealing, it is currently at the dealership. They have verified it is the inverter that is malfunctioning but they will not warrenty the repair because they are saying it needs to completely fail and throw a code. This is the right time to fix it prior to catastrophic failure, can you please help.

NHTSA ID

11740506

Incident

May 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact called several other dealers, including Lake Elsinore Honda (18450 Collier Ave, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530), Diamond Valley Honda (300 Carriage Cir, Hemet, CA 92545), and DCH Honda of Temecula (26755 Ynez Rd, Temecula, CA 92591); and all confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11683661

Incident

Dec 18, 2023

I am writing to express my serious concern regarding the safety recall for my 2019 Honda Clarity (VIN: [XXX] ). The recall, dated February 2024, pertains to a potential fuel pump failure that could cause engine stalling while driving, posing a significant safety risk. Despite the severity of this issue, I have encountered significant delays and difficulties in getting the necessary repairs completed at my local Honda dealerships. When I contacted them about the recall immediately after receiving notice, I was informed that they do not have the required parts in stock. Furthermore, the date at which the dealers said that they would be receiving the parts continues to get pushed back from the estimated timeframe for receiving these parts, initially stating it would be 2-3 months, but this has been an ongoing issue with no resolution in sight and well past 60 days. This prolonged delay is unacceptable given the potential safety implications. The recall notice clearly states that a fuel pump failure could lead to an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. I am deeply concerned about my safety and that of my passengers while operating this vehicle. I respectfully request that Honda take immediate action to: 1. Expedite the delivery of the necessary parts to my local dealership. 2. Provide a firm date for when the recall repair can be completed on my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11625961

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11615572

Incident

Sep 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-in-Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, and the vehicle also failed to accelerate properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11606063

Incident

Jun 15, 2024

Mileage

30,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11586798

Incident

May 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11575954

Incident

Mar 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid. The contact stated that after refueling and recharging the vehicle, the mile range indicator would display inaccurate mileage range information. The contact indicated that the mile range display would sometimes be far above the range capability of the vehicle and in some cases well below the range that should be achievable with a full battery charge and full tank of fuel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a software update and hot reset but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ID

11479604

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Mileage

20,000 mi

Car engine makes loud banging noise when it is running on gas instead of electrical battery. I had asked Honda dealer to review but they say they can not do anything about it. It is feels as if car making so much banging noise from engine has inherent issue and will eventually catch fire.

NHTSA ID

11448485

Incident

Jan 22, 2022

THREE TIMES NOW, OUR NEW 2019 HONDA CLARITY HAS PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. TWICE IN NOVEMBER 2019, ONCE IN JANUARY 2020, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING UP HILLS, ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EACH TIME THE CAR HAS PRODUCED A TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL AND SOUNDS OF HIGH REVVING OF THE ENGINE. IN ALL OF THESE INSTANCES, THE BATTERY WAS LOW, BUT THE GAS LEVEL AND REPORTED RANGE OF THE CAR WAS HIGH. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN ECO MODE, TWICE IT WAS IN OTHER MODES. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH NATIONAL HONDA, WHO SAY THAT THESE SYMPTOMS ARE A 'NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC' AND THAT 'PROPER DRIVE MODES SHOULD BE USED,' AS IF THE PROBLEM WAS SOMEHOW MY FAULT FOR NOT USING THE PROPER MODES. I WAS SENT A VERY SHORT VIDEO EXPLAINING DRIVING MODES. IF THIS CAR IS DESIGNED SO THAT SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BURNING SMELLS AND AN INABILITY TO DRIVE UP A HILL ARE A 'NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC' THEN THIS CAR IS A HAZARD. IF THE CAR IS UNABLE TO GO UP A STEEP HILL WITHOUT A CERTAIN BATTERY LEVEL, THEN THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED TO DEPLETE THE BATTERY BELOW THAT LEVEL NO MATTER WHAT MODE THE DRIVER HAS IT IN. IF THE HONDA SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS FOR ME TO USE MODES TO KEEP THE BATTERY OVER 60% CHARGED AT ALL TIMES, (WHICH IS WHAT THEY SUGGESTED THE SECOND TIME I WENT IN) OR TO STAY OFF OF HILLS WHEN THE BATTERY IS LOW (AS THEY SUGGESTED WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN THE 3RD TIME) THEN IT IS NOT THE PLUG-IN CAR WITH THE DRIVING RANGE I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING. HERE IS DETAIL ON THE LAST INCIDENT: I WAS ON A HIGHWAY ON A BIG HILL AT FULL HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY THE POWER GAVE OUT AND THE CAR STARTED REVVING IN AN EXTREME WAY, AND THERE WAS A TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY QUICKLY. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE BOTH SHAKEN ' THIS CAR IS A DANGER UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11309863

Incident

Jan 17, 2020

Mileage

3,040 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE MILES PER GALLON FOR A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 48 MILES; HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL RANGE WAS 38 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE WEST COVINA (LOCATED AT 1840 E GARVEY AVE S, WEST COVINA, CA 91791, (626) 251-2995) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE CHARGED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

NHTSA ID

11208982

Incident

May 21, 2019

Mileage

2,200 mi