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Honda Clarity Plug-In HybridModel year report

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Problems

Complaints
42filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,740miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
42 mpgcombined (gas only), 1.5L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid FWD · 44 city / 40 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The part named most often is fuel system, with 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine (10) and vehicle speed control (9). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 95% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,740 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Forward collision avoidance (2), Lane departure (2), Seat belts (2), Electronic stability control (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Three times now, our new 2019 Honda clarity has put me and my family in danger. Twice in november 2019, once in january 2020, the car suddenly lost power in the midst of driving up hills, once at highway speed. Each time the car has produced a terrible burning smell and sounds of high revving of the engine. In all of these instances, the battery was low, but the gas level and reported range of the car was high. Once the car was in eco mode, twice it was in other modes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11309863, filed 2020-02, 3,040 miles

Engine: “My car is losing power and getting loud noise while driving on an uphill road. I have shown my car to 3 different dealers and they couldn't fix it. I have seen many online reviews with the same problem and still, Honda is not helping its customer.”

NHTSA complaint #11330558, filed 2020-06, 12,500 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Monday sep 7, 2020 around 11:20 am unintended acceleration my wife was driving the car and in process to park in our house garage. When she got on the drive way, she pressed the brake and stopped in front of the garage door to open it. Then released the brake and the car move forward slowly, without press the accelerator pedal. With her foot still over the brake pedal, she then gently press the brake pedal in order to stop, then the car immediately start to accelerate and hit the garage wall then stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #11353760, filed 2020-09, 5 miles

Electrical system: “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 presents an immediate, unreasonable safety hazard. …”

NHTSA complaint #11740510, filed 2026-05

Mileage when problems were reported

95% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 600 and 21,000 miles.

58%0–1026%10–2511%25–500%50–750%75–1005%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,740 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

201920202022202320241020252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Clarity Plug-in Hybrid FWD1.5L 4-cyl · plug-in hybridCVT444042 gas only—

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.

Other model years of the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202083,0600—42—Not enough data
2019428,7402—42Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20181372,7621—42Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising

All Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine with 10.

Has the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, 1.5L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid) at 42 mpg combined, 44 city and 40 highway when running on gasoline in hybrid mode. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,740 miles and the middle half falls between 600 and 21,000 miles; 95% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.