2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Median mileage
- 12,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 11 of 36 complaints (31%).
- Engine (8) and acceleration & cruise control (6) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 12,500 mi.
- Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
- The 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid has 2 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 4 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 56% fewer complaints than the 2018 model year (81).
2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid problems by category
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion11 complaints
- Engine8 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash6 complaints
- Other / Unknown6 complaints
- Electrical System5 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech3 complaints
- Brakes3 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers3 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts2 complaints
- Lighting2 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain2 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 |
| Unknown or other | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 |
| Electrical system | 5 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 5 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid recalls (2)
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Z7L.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
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 Marc…
Recent 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Jul 24, 2026CACrash3 injuredTowedAirbags
I was rear ended on the freeway that l caused my car to hit a guard rail, head on. I remember getting rear ended and then blacked out on hitting the guard rail. I then had chest pain. My driver's side airbags deployed with the driver's side front foot area airbags deploying. The airbags on the steering wheel did not deploy. There's a dash cam footage of this below that shows my car hitting head on with the guard rail at 31mph. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…
NHTSA complaint #11752625 · source - Filed Jun 25, 2026CAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
My 2019 Honda Clarity has had a hybrid battery failure that triggers “Check Engine” and “Power System” warnings, making the vehicle unsafe and unreliable to drive. I brought the car to Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos on 12/29/2025, and the battery—still under warranty—has been on backorder for over 6 months with no repair completed. The dealer repeatedly requested new diagnostic readings but has not fixed the issue. I have asked for a loaner due to safety concerns, but none has…
NHTSA complaint #11746360 · source - Filed May 27, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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…
NHTSA complaint #11740510 · source - Filed May 27, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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 complaint #11740506 · source - Filed Mar 11, 202644,000 miCTBrakes
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the BRAKE Hold system, hill start assist, collision mitigation system, VSA, and the electric parking brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a safe location and turned off. The vehicle was restarted. Additionally, the warning lights…
NHTSA complaint #11723571 · source - Filed Sep 17, 2025CAOther / Unknown
Took my car in due to the AC not working. We were told that AC Condenser and AC evaporator was broken. The AC condenser was replaced due to a recall and was placed under warranty a few years ago. Honda, indicated that AC Condenser was still under Warrenty, but the AC Evaporator is not. When it was explained to us at Honda Dealership in Dublin, CA. That the two parts go hand in hand, and that they would not be able to replace the AC Condenser until the AC Evaporator was…
NHTSA complaint #11688006 · source - Filed Aug 28, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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…
NHTSA complaint #11683661 · source - Filed Jul 18, 2025RIBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise 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 brakes hard. Came to an almost complete stop with my foot on the gas, had to remove foot to be able to accelerate again, luckily there was no near car behind me or it would have…
NHTSA complaint #11674482 · source
Compare the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid with another vehicle →
Other 2019 Honda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology