Problems · NHTSA complaints
2019 Honda Clarity problems
Owners filed 3 complaints about the 2019 Honda Clarity with NHTSA between Oct 2019 and Aug 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (2).
Complaints
3
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system2
- Service brakes1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
0
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
2 reports
“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…”
Service brakes
1 report
Engine and engine cooling
1 report
“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.”
Fuel system, gasoline
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.