Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (2018)
Engine Reliability Ratings
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LEB3(H4)
1.5L 4-cyl / 103 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 8 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2018] FEW TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED ESPECIALLY IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER, THERE WILL BE LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING IT WILL TAKE THE COMMAND ENGINE RPM WILL BE HIGHER BUT VEHICLE IS NOT TAKING UP THE SPEED. EITHER IT WILL STAY TO GO AT LOW SPEED OR SLOWLY IT WILL STARTING TO HALT SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED FEW TIMES(ABOUT 5-6 TIMES). AN
- [2018] WE LEASED A 2018 HONDA CLARITY IN DECEMBER OF 2017. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES (OVER 25 TIMES). ATTACHED ARE 2 SEPARATE VIDEO CLIPS SHOWING THE CAR LOSING POWER. THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE DISENGAGES AND THE REVOLUTIONS GO UP, BUT THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. I HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY GOING UP A HILL, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WE WENT FROM 65 MPH DOWN TO 20 MPH. I HAD TO FULLY S
- [2018] HI. MY 2018 HONDA CLARITY PHEV SUFFERS A SEVERE DROP IN POWER WHEN SWITCHING FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR TO GAS ENGINE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT CAN BARELY GO 30 MPH AND THE ENGINE IS REVVING VERY LOUDLY. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WORSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. I NOW HAVE TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT ON THE INTERSTATE FOR THE SWITCH AND SOME
High-Voltage Battery
- [2018] ON APPROX 6 OCCASIONS, WHEN EV POWER IS USED UP, THE CAR SWITCHES TO ICE MODE WITH ISSUES. WHEN TRAVELING UP HILL, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER, AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE ICE REVS EXTREMELY HIGH WITHOUT SPEED GAIN. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A DOWNHILL SITUATION WITH NEARLY FULL EV IN EV MODE. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DISENGAGES DRIVETRAIN. WHEN PRESSING T
- [2018] VEHICLE ENGINE RESPONDED TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT, BUT WOULD NOT TRAVEL AT GREATER THAN 25 MILES PER HOUR ON SLIGHT UPHILL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN STARTED AFTER BEING OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING EXCLUSIVELY ON GAS ENGINE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN ION "ON" CONDITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES PRIOR TO STARTING DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED INTO NEARB
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2018] WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN. HOWEVER, AS I APPROACHED THE SUMMIT, NO MATTER HOW FAR DOWN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED. WITH THE PEDAL COMPLETELY FLOORED (PAST THE HYBRID SYSTEM CLICK POINT) THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT PICKUP SPEED, NOR DID IT SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS E
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (1)
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, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid problems?
The 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has accumulated 125 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Fuel System, Engine, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid engine is most reliable?
The 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid a good used car?
The 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 125 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid have?
The 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has 125 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid?
There is 1 NHTSA recall affecting some 2018-2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid?
Before buying a used Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Fuel System, Engine, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
Does the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 125 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.