2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,060miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- 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 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The part named most often is forward collision avoidance, with 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and lane departure (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,060 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Electrical system3 38%
- Lane departure3 38%
- Engine2 25%
- Other or unknown2 25%
Example complaints
Forward collision avoidance: “The forward-facing multipurpose camera unit (ADAS camera) failed internally while driving, causing the simultaneous deactivation of multiple critical safety systems including Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS), Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). The failure is indicated by persistent dashboard warning messages stating 'System Fault' or 'Honda Sensing Problem'.A professional diagnostic scan confirmed DTC code U3000-49 (Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Failure). …”
NHTSA complaint #11737243, filed 2026-05Electrical system: “The 2020 Honda Clarity's multipurpose windshield camera fails intermittently, often at startup. The vehicle displays Brake System and Honda Sensing-related warnings, disabling Collision Mitigation Braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. The vehicle may otherwise operate, but multiple driver-assistance safety systems are unavailable. A dealer attributed the issue to the windshield camera module and possible calibration. The warnings began approximately June 2025 and remain intermittent. The camera is available for inspection. …”
NHTSA complaint #11758781, filed 2026-08Lane departure: “The ADAS camera system failed causing multiple warnings and failures including lane departure system, forward collision system, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #11726194, filed 2026-03Engine: “When the battery is low the Honda clarity's RPM jump really high and vehicle revs really hard and starts to lose power. My vehicle had two battery bars and when I tried to climb it mountain it lost speed. I was almost hit twice because my car kept losing speed and it was revving like it was struggling to keep moving. Very scary situation to be in with other cars and little children in my car. I have a video of the car revving.”
NHTSA complaint #11352172, filed 2020-08, 3,060 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,060 and 3,060 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2020 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.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity Plug-in Hybrid FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid | CVT | 44 | 40 | 42 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10206988Jan 29, 2022Air bags. ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored. If you can duplicate the DTC, the troubleshooting will take you…
- 10206395Jan 4, 2022Air bags, Seats. ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored. If you can duplicate the DTC, the troubleshooting will take you…
- 10202598Oct 22, 2021Air bags, Seats. ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored. If you can duplicate the DTC, the troubleshooting will take you…
- 10199344Jul 6, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Owner Notification Letter - On some 2018-21 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the…
- 10194978May 28, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Dealer Message - Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Civic, 2017-2021 Civic Hatch, 2017-2021 Civic Type…
- 10194957May 28, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty extension only covers vehicles…
- 10187007Feb 11, 2021Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system, Engine…. Service Bulletin - The Hybrid System Failure message comes on the MID, and DTC P1D8D (Generator Motor Inverter Short) is stored.
Other model years of the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 3,060 | 0 | — | 42 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 42 | 8,740 | 2 | — | 42 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2018 | 137 | 2,762 | 1 | — | 42 | Not 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 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2020 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 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is reported most often?
Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2020 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 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,060 miles and the middle half falls between 3,060 and 3,060 miles; 100% 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.