Sedan · PHEV
Honda Clarity 2017-2021
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $36,620–$37,100
- MPG
- 42 · 89 mi elec
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Strength: Strong reliability
- Watch-out: Below-average value retention
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
How it scores for you10 scores
One of the cheapest cars per mile ever sold with Honda dependability baked in - a short, low-volume run is the main reason it's forgotten.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; none of its 5 recalls were serious. About 6% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +4 points for its wider reputation.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $1,550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 84% of cars we track.
15.5 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 64% of other sedans we track.
True midsize five-seater with a usable 15.5 cu ft trunk - unusually practical for a dedicated plug-in.
Smooth, quiet EV-first power delivery but 4,000-ish lbs and eco tires; serene, not sporting.
Strong electrified powertrain tech for its day; the touch-heavy, knob-less infotainment drew consistent criticism.
Soft ride and near-silent electric running make it a genuinely relaxing commuter.
EVs have typically lost value the fastest.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls8 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
8 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2017–2019
- Powertrain — 22 complaints (2018)
- Recall — Seat belts: rear/other (2019)
- Electrical — 21 complaints (2018)
2021
No recorded issues.
2020
No recorded issues.
2019
- RecallSeat belts: rear/other20V326000
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.
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump23V858000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, F
- Complaint clusterCruise control8 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was entering the highway on ramp with a car in front of me going slow, when saw it was clear switched lanes and attempted to speed up to highway speed and the car's automatic braking system activated, flashed "BRAKE" on the dash with nothing in front of me, lane was clear, and then it applied the
- Complaint clusterElectrical6 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 po
- Complaint clusterFuel6 complaintscomplaints:FUEL SYSTEM
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 re
- Complaint clusterEngine6 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
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 i
2018
- RecallElectrical: software; hybrid propulsion system18V921000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles previously repaired under recall 18V-068. The previous software remedy may have been incomplete. As a result, the fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle
- RecallEquipment: electrical19V315000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. Internal components may corrode and cause the water pump to fail.
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump23V858000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, F
- Complaint clusterPowertrain22 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The vehicle exhibits a dangerous electrical defect involving uncontrolled power-cycling. After shutting down the car, it automatically restarts itself in a continuous loop. During these episodes, the dashboard flickers, the drivetrain shudders, and the vehicle becomes unresponsive to manual 'Stop' b
- Complaint clusterElectrical21 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Since last Wed. (9/24/2025), the car started to show the warnings of "Adaptive Cruise Control Problem", "Brake Hold System Problem", "Brake System Problem", "Electric Parking Brake Problem", and "Road Departure Mitigation System Problem" from time to time. I bought this VHonda Clarity Plug-in Hybri
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other19 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC hasn't been out for a while and the defrost option doesn't work because of that. I believe that is a safety issue.
- Complaint clusterFuel and propulsion17 complaintscomplaints:FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2018 HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN POWER DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION. THE CAR DISPLAYED AN ERROR MESSAGE "POWER SYSTEM PROBLEM. STOP DRIVING WHEN SAFE" WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR THEN HAD LOW POWER AND WAS RUNNING OFF TH
- Complaint clusterFuel15 complaintscomplaints:FUEL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 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
2017
- RecallElectrical: software; hybrid propulsion system18V068000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. The fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle to have reduced, or a complete loss of, power.
- RecallElectrical: software; hybrid propulsion system18V921000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles previously repaired under recall 18V-068. The previous software remedy may have been incomplete. As a result, the fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle
- RecallEquipment: electrical19V315000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. Internal components may corrode and cause the water pump to fail.
Cost to own$27,800 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$36,620–$37,100
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,550/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
44
Highway MPG
40
Combined MPG
42
Electric range
89 mi
Horsepower
212 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
15.5 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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