BestCarRank
Honda

2018 Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC has 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 44. The most common issue is other problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: while parked in my driveway i received a number of error messages when i started the car. car is now at honda dealer since 4/5/2018. i was told the large battery needs to be replaced and it is not safe to drive the car. dealer unable to give me an eta on the battery. many other owners are experienc.

2 crash reports

44

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

7 complaints
16%
  • • WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF ERROR MESSAGES WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. CAR IS NOW AT HONDA DEALER SINCE 4/5/2018. I WAS TOLD THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. DEALER UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ETA ON THE BATTERY. MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENC
  • • VEHICLE'S SAFETY FEATURES (BRAKE ASSIST AND/OR COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM) WILL ACTIVATE EITHER EXCESSIVELY OR OCCASIONALLY WHEN THERE IS NO OBSTRUCTION WHATSOEVER. THE FULL FORCE BRAKING IN TRAFFIC FOR NO APPARENT REASON COULD EASILY CAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO MINE.
  • • all four doors will not lock and unlock. the power door motors do not function properly.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF ERROR MESSAGES WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. CAR IS NOW AT HONDA DEALER SINCE 4/5/2018. I WAS TOLD THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. DEALER UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ETA ON THE BATTERY. MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC

Based on 12 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
10
30-60K
0
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2018 CLARITY ELECTRIC, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 44 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    OTHER: WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF ERROR MESSAGES WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. CAR IS NOW AT HONDA DEALER SINCE 4/5/2018. I WAS TOLD THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. DEALER UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ETA ON THE BATTERY. MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENC

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    BRAKES: NO SPARE TIRE PROVIDED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROMISED BY HONDA WAITING TIME HAPPENED MORE THAN 4 HOURS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGER WHILE WAITING FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM HONDA AND IT DOESN'T HAVE SPARE TIRE. SINCE ITS NEW CAR PURCHASE, HONDA PROMISED THEY FREELY PROVIDE FIRST THREE YEARS ROADSIDE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CLARITY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE RPM'S REVVED UP ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE RANGE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLIE'S

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    VISIBILITY: The vehicle's air condition has been broke down three times. It is leaking freon every where. It costs me $826 to fix the problems. The extended warranty only cover part of the issue. The Honda should cover all the freon leaking related problem.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC — Year Comparison

How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2019
5Above Average
2018
44Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
44

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Honda CLARITY ELECTRIC

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