Model-year record
2020 Honda Clarity
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
Records only
Not enough public evidence for a buyer decision.
The current record contains zero owner complaints, zero recalls, zero investigations, and no NHTSA crash rating. An empty record is not proof that this model year is reliable or problem-free.
Complaints filed
9
Reports to NHTSA, 2020
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
55
EPA estimate
Known issues
Forward Collision Avoidance issues lead owner complaints (33% of 9 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (22%).
Share of all 9 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11737243, ODI 11726194, ODI 11577021.
Individual complaint reports(9)
Showing the 9 most recent reportsForward Collision AvoidanceMay 2026 · ODI 11737243Details +Close −
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). The sudden and unpredictable loss of these automated safety features reduces the vehicle's ability to assist in avoiding collisions and increases the risk of a crash, particularly in emergency situations. This appears to be a widespread manufacturing defect in the camera hardware that poses an unreasonable safety risk to drivers and passengers.
- Reported
- May 2026
- Incident date
- Feb 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Forward Collision AvoidanceMar 2026 · ODI 11726194Details +Close −
The ADAS camera system failed causing multiple warnings and failures including lane departure system, forward collision system, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.
- Reported
- Mar 2026
- Incident date
- Mar 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemDec 2024 · ODI 11633288 · crashDetails +Close −
During a U-turn, when I turned the steering wheel my vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpected. I suspect there may have been a malfunction in the vehicle's electronic control system that caused this sudden unintended acceleration. I did alert Honda North America to study the problem. On [XXX], while driving on a narrow street at a speed of less than 5 miles per hour, my vehicle suddenly accelerated as I was making a U-turn. In my nervous response, I pressed the accelerator pedal, which exacerbated the situation and caused my vehicle to hit the driveway bushes at [XXX] Fortunately, the property damage was minor, affecting only the bushes, and there were no injuries. I believe it is important to report this Sudden Unintended Acceleration problem for your file. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Reported
- Dec 2024
- Incident date
- Dec 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash
Visibility/WiperApr 2024 · ODI 11582682Details +Close −
A/C stopped working, so defrost is no longer working efficiently. Honda says they only cover the condenser under the extended warranty and not the evaporator and want to charge me over 2200 to repair. If they are extending A/C warranty for condenser it should cover the entire A/C system since everyone online that had an issue with the condenser eventually ends up with an evaporator issue as well and then the defrost or A/C do not work properly.
- Reported
- Apr 2024
- Incident date
- Apr 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Forward Collision AvoidanceMar 2024 · ODI 11577021Details +Close −
While driving on freeway traffic in front of Clarity began to slow down. In reaction to this brakes were mildly applied, nothing aggressive, and the car was driven towards an open off-ramp to avoid the issue in front. At this moment the car, on its own slammed on the brakes. This created a very unsafe condition and caused following drivers to swerve off the surface of the freeway to avoid a collision with rear end of Clarity. So in short a fairly routing accident avoidance maneuver was turned into a serious and dangerous situation. We are actually concerned this will happen again and lead to an accident. We know the difference between a reasonable application of the brake assist system and what happened here.
- Reported
- Mar 2024
- Incident date
- Sep 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherMay 2023 · ODI 11524489Details +Close −
AC condenser has leak, covered by an extended warranty up to 10 years from purchase of car due issue with factory installed condenser. However, at 3 years old and 37356 miles the evaporator also has a leak. Honda will not fix condenser under warranty unless we pay $2,000 to fix the evaporator.
- Reported
- May 2023
- Incident date
- May 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Power TrainDec 2022 · ODI 11498681Details +Close −
Engine RPM's rise (near red line at times) with little to no propulsion. The slang I've found used in online forums, showing that this is a common problem, is "angry bees."
- Reported
- Dec 2022
- Incident date
- Dec 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlSep 2020 · ODI 11354499Details +Close −
THIS NEW CAR, AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS, LOSES POWER AS IF IT HAS STALLED OUT FOR A SHORT TIME. WHEN OCCURRING AS ONE IS MAKING A LEFT TURN, IT CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I MIGHT DESCRIBE IT AS A HESITATION OF ACCELERATION BECAUSE, AS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. IT APPEARS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THE CAR IS TURNING.
- Reported
- Sep 2020
- Incident date
- Jul 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlAug 2020 · ODI 11352172Details +Close −
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.
- Reported
- Aug 2020
- Incident date
- Aug 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls
No recalls are listed for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change when NHTSA publishes new information.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity FCV | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 68 | 67 | 68 |
| Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 44 | 40 | 42 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
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Compare the year-by-year record
Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.
2020 Honda Clarity: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2020 Honda Clarity?
Owners filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the 2020 Honda Clarity. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2020 Honda Clarity?
The most-reported problem areas are Forward Collision Avoidance (33% of complaints) and vehicle speed control (22%).
How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Clarity have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2020 Honda Clarity as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Honda Clarity get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Honda Clarity between 42 and 68 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.