2021 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

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.

Component/System that Failed: The air conditioning system in my 2021 Honda Clarity Touring Plug-in Hybrid has failed — specifically, the AC evaporator, which no longer allows the car to blow out cool air. The part is still in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: What began as an inconvenience has turned into a real concern for the safety of my family and me. Without functioning air conditioning, my visibility becomes dangerously impaired when trying to defog the windshield, especially in humid or cool conditions. More alarmingly, we live in an area where summer temperatures can soar, and driving without AC quickly turns our vehicle into an unsafe environment — especially for children, elderly passengers, or anyone prone to heat-related issues. It’s frustrating and disappointing to face this kind of failure in a relatively new vehicle. A basic function like air conditioning should not carry a $2,800 repair bill just to keep your family safe and comfortable — yet here we are. Reproduction/Confirmation of the Issue: The issue has been confirmed by an authorized Honda dealership, which diagnosed the failed evaporator and quoted nearly $2,800 for repair, the majority of which is due to labor involved in reaching the part. Inspection History: The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, and I also contacted American Honda to request assistance. They offered to cover only part of the repair, but to me, this feels insufficient given the scope of the issue and how many other owners have experienced the same thing. It feels less like a maintenance issue and more like a manufacturing flaw. Warning Signs or Symptoms: There were no warning lights or system alerts prior to failure. The AC simply began losing effectiveness and then completely stopped blowing cool air. There were no obvious indicators that the evaporator was failing until the system had already become unusable.

NHTSA ID

11663257

Incident

May 12, 2025

ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored. If you can duplicate the DTC, the troubleshooting will take you through the step-by-step process in isolating the faulty component. In most situations, the SRS Unit should be last on the list of components to replace. Here is a quick tip for troubleshooting a faulty seat weight sensor.

ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored. If you can duplicate the DTC, the troubleshooting will take you through the step-by-step process in isolating the faulty component. In most situations, the SRS Unit should be last on the list of components to replace. Here is a quick tip for troubleshooting a faulty seat weight sensor.

Owner Notification Letter - On some 2018-21 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty extension provides coverage for the original owner and any subsequent owners. No action is required on your part unless you experience a problem.