Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
6
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 33% | new |
| Other | 2 | 33% | new |
| Fuel System | 1 | 17% | new |
| Steering | 1 | 17% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. Internal components may corrode and cause the water pump to fail.
Consequence
A failure of the water pump can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began June 10, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4N.
Defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles previously repaired under recall 18V-068. The previous software remedy may have been incomplete. As a result, the fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle to have a partial or complete loss of power.
Consequence
A loss of power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda has notified owners, and dealers will update the FC-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is A3O.
Defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. The fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle to have reduced, or a complete loss of, power.
Consequence
A loss of power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is R0L.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. RETURN TO CAR AND START IT. THE 'POWER MANAGEMENT' WARNING DISPLAYED. FOLLOWING WITH BRAKE SYSTEM, TPMS, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, AND RDM INOPERATE MESSAGE SHOW UP. CAR COULD NOT START UP.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V315000 (EQUIPMENT) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. KEN HARVEY'S DUBLIN HONDA (6300 DUBLIN BLVD, DUBLIN, CA…”
“THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. RETURN TO CAR AND START IT. THE 'POWER MANAGEMENT' WARNING DISPLAYED. FOLLOWING WITH BRAKE SYSTEM, TPMS, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, AND RDM INOPERATE MESSAGE SHOW UP. CAR COULD NOT START UP.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FUEL SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUBLIN HONDA [PHONE], LOCATED AT 6300 DUBLIN BLVD, DUBLIN, CA 94568), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A HYDROGEN VEHICLE. THE…”
The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.