Model year

2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Sedan, 4x2, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from Feb 22, 2018 to Nov 12, 2019.

Recall campaigns covering this model year32,635 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints3Below the median 2017 sedan
Severity index0.02017 sedans average 7.4
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell peaked in 2019, with 2 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.511.522018201922020202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

67% of complaints about the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell name equipment

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Equipment
2
Electrical system
1
Stability and traction control
1
Fuel system
1
Steering
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
19V-315Apr 18, 2019Internal components may corrode and cause the water pump to failEquipment1,082Part replacement
18V-921Dec 20, 2018Previous software remedy may have been incompleteElectrical system1,082Software update
18V-068Jan 25, 2018Fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle to have reduced, or a complete loss of, powerElectrical system471Software update
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Nov 12, 2019Failure Aug 25, 201710,000 milesDublin, CAEquipment, Fuel/propulsion system

    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 (877-418-8323, LOCATED AT 6300 DUBLIN BLVD, DUBLIN, CA 94568), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A HYDROGEN VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INSTRUCTED THE DUBLIN DEALER TO SHIP THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN LOS ANGELES, CA WHERE THE HYDROGEN FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V315000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DUBLIN HONDA DEALER WHERE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK POWER SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL STACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11279670
  2. Filed Sep 24, 2019Failure Mar 18, 2019Dublin, CAEquipment

    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 94568) CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

    NHTSA complaint 11257802
  3. Filed Feb 22, 2018Failure Feb 21, 20181,400 milesLA Palma, CAElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Steering

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11074217
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

27 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • ONL6CK09212022 Sep 21, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Owner's Notification Letter - Product Update - Our records indicate that a Product Update has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). The software that monitors the temperature in the fuel cell tank may not be u…
  • A22090A Sep 16, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Dealer Message - In the event you experience a sub tank wire harness rodent damage on the 2017–2020 Clarity FCV, after repairing / replacing the wire harness, wrap the areas shown below with RODENT DETERRENT TAPE, P/N 4019-2317.
  • A20-092 Dec 9, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The customer cannot refuel the vehicle completely at certain hydrogen stations.
  • A20-061 Oct 21, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P1FBF (air pump controller failure [internal failure warning]) during startup.
  • A20-061 Sep 2, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P1FBF (air pump controller failure [internal failure warning]) during startup.
  • A19-054_version3 Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The fuel cell (FC) system uses an electric water pump to circulate insulating fluid and remove excess heat from the fuel cell stack. During manufacturing, the water pump's magnetic surface was not treated for corrosion resistance. Over ti…
  • A19-006 Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - Water improperly discharged inside the fuel cell (FC) stack mixes with hydrogen and oxygen, generating hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide/water combination concentrates in one area, accelerating the deterioration of the electrolyte …
  • AJA11262 Oct 5, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Job Aid - American Honda has created an instructional video on how to replace the fuel cell stack. When working on or around the fuel cell system, pay attention to the service precautions for the fuel cell system.
  • AJA05150 Oct 5, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Job Aid - The following procedures in the service information require the Fuel Cell Service Equipment Kit (T/N VSBHONFCVKT1) and the Portable Vent Stack (T/N FEFPVS).
  • A19-054_version2 Jun 14, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The fuel cell (FC) system uses an electric water pump to circulate insulating fluid and remove excess heat from the fuel cell stack. During manufacturing, the water pump's magnetic surface was not treated for corrosion resistance. Over ti…
  • A19-054 Jun 4, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The fuel cell (FC) system uses an electric water pump to circulate insulating fluid and remove excess heat from the fuel cell stack. During manufacturing, the water pump's magnetic surface was not treated for corrosion resistance. Over ti…
  • A19-006 Jun 4, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - Water improperly discharged inside the fuel cell stack mixes with hydrogen and oxygen, generating hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide/water combination concentrates in one area, accelerating the deterioration of the electrolyte membr…
  • A19050B May 16, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memor…
  • ONL6CK03052019 Mar 5, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Owner Notification Letter - On 2017-18 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles, the software that monitors the temperature in the fuel cell tank may not be up to date. This may cause the vehicle to incorrectly display a hydrogen system warning on the instrument panel an…
  • A19-006 Feb 16, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Bulletin - The telematics system is reporting deterioration of the fuel cell stack. This deterioration can reduce fuel cell output. Water improperly discharged inside the fuel cell stack mixes with hydrogen and oxygen, generating hydrogen peroxide. …
  • ABOM01142019901 Jan 14, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "Dealer message - Today American Honda is notifying dealers of two product updates affecting certain 2017-18 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. The first is a software update to the hydrogen tank temperature sensors. The second is a product update to replace th…
  • A19-006 Jan 11, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "Service bulletin - The telematics system is reporting deterioration of the fuel cell stack. This deterioration can reduce fuel cell output. Water improperly discharged inside the fuel cell stack mixes with hydrogen and oxygen, generating hydrogen peroxide…
  • A19-001 Jan 11, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "Service bulletin - The vehicle may incorrectly set DTC P1F76 (main hydrogen tank temperature sensor malfunction) or P1F77 (sub hydrogen tank temperature sensor malfunction). The fuel cell communication control (IR) software is not current."
  • APaS12052018901 Dec 5, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "Dealer message - AHM is studying the current replacement need for the ION filter (PN 3H450-5WM-A01). We would like to collect several samples in the field for this study. A supply of bags and identifying labels will be sent to your dealership for this proj…
  • A18110B Nov 13, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "ServiceNews Article - When replacing the fuel cell stack, make sure you bleed the air from the fuel cell insulating system exactly as called out in the fuel cell insulating fluid replacement procedure in the service information. If you don't, you'll get an…
  • A17070B Jul 2, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Servicenews article - The Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle has two very different cooling systems. One system cools the fuel cell system; the other one cools the inverter system. The fuel cell system uses a 50% coolant mixture called fuel cell insulating fluid, T…
  • A18-013 Apr 13, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service bulletin - The audio system volume will not change when using the remote switch on the steering wheel. There is an internal software issue with the audio-navigation unit.
  • ATS180202 Feb 13, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tech Line Summary Article - After doing a Code A maintenance service (replace the FC ion exchanger filter element), is the Maintenance Minder not resetting? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
  • ATS170904 Sep 29, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tech line summary article - In a Code A maintenance service, you must replace the FC ion exchanger filter element. Right now, that filter element is in short supply, but we expect to have it back in stock soon.
  • ATS170903 Sep 26, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tech line summary article - A temperature sensor failure in the main hydrogen tank or sub hydrogen tank may cause DTC P1F76 (main hydrogen tank temperature sensor malfunction) or P1F77 (sub hydrogen tank temperature sensor malfunction) to set while fueling.…
  • A15060D Aug 3, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service news article - To prevent damage during shipping, leather-wrapped steering wheels come with a protective plastic covering. The easiest way to remove it during PDI is to grab the covering with both hands near the top of the steering wheel and pull i…
  • A17070B Jul 21, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service news article - The Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle has two very different cooling systems. One system cools the fuel cell system; the other one cools the inverter system.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.