Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Clarity Plug-In.
The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In entered the market as the plug-in variant of Honda's Clarity series, pairing its electrified powertrain with an automatic transmission that uses variable gear ratios. Its reliability profile is shaped by 131 total owner complaints, with the fuel system — specifically gasoline-related components — standing out as the most frequently reported trouble area. A single recall accompanies the complaint record, signaling a relatively contained formal response from the manufacturer. Together, these data points place the 2018 model year at the front of the Clarity Plug-In's reliability history, where the gasoline-side complaints set a baseline that later model years will be measured against.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Overall length | 192.9 in |
| Overall width | 74.8 in |
| Overall height | 58.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 4063 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 62.6 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 44 / 40 / 42 MPGe |
| Electric range | 340 mi |
| Charge time (240V) | 2.2 hr |
| Electric motor | 135kW AC PMSM |
| Energy use | 31.0 kWh/100mi |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 108.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 108.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .87-.98 lbs. |
| Oil Type | Sanden SE-A2 or equivalent. |
| Oil Capacity | 4.17-5.17 oz. |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 57.0 |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 59.0 |
| Engine Compression | 142 |
| 1 | 48.0 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 144.0 inch lbs. | 144 in |
| 1 | 10.0 ft. lbs. | 10 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90.0 | |
| 1 | 27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees. When a new crankshaft or pulley bolt is installed: Step 1: Torque to 133 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove bolt., Step 3: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 94 | 27 ft. lbs |
| 1 | All bolts 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Journal bolts 1, 2, 4 and 5 | 22 degrees |
| 3 | 32.0 | |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 40.0 | |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In top in one area — the fuel system, gasoline, 15 of 131 reports (11%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the fuel system, gasoline are also the target of recall 23V-858 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 9 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, gasoline pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 131 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022… Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's…
Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-090 | 2023-11-14 | Power Train | Service Bulletin - There is a software problem in the PCM, which may cause the MIL to… |
| ONL6PH09152022 | 2022-09-15 | Electrical System | Owner's Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been… |
| ONLO9V07062021 | 2021-07-06 | Visibility | Owner Notification Letter - On some 2018-21 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid models, the A/C… |
| A21-017 | 2021-05-28 | Visibility | Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10… |
| ABOM05282021 | 2021-05-28 | Visibility | Dealer Message - Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 44 city / 40 highway / 42 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 340 miles.