Honda Clarity Reliability: How Long Does a Honda Clarity Last?

Last updated on October 4th, 2023 at 11:05 am

The Honda Clarity is a vehicle, considered to be ahead of its time in many ways. It is offered either as a hydrogen fuel cell or plug-in hybrid.

This vehicle uses various alternative fuel technologies to generate power, making it one of the greenest cars available.

The Clarity offers luxurious seating, advanced technology, and impressive safety features, alongside fuel efficiency.

In this article, We will explore some important factors of Honda Clarity Reliability.

How Long Does a Honda Clarity Last?

The Honda Clarity has an average lifespan of 100,000 to 150,000 miles and comes with a 100,000-mile or 8-year warranty protection.

If you drive the Clarity for about 15,000 miles per year, the car can provide service for 6 to 10 years.

The Clarity comes with a Maintenance Minder feature which monitors the car’s condition and notifies you when it needs servicing.

It is recommended to be aware of the notices from the Maintenance Minder to ensure the car’s good health and prevent components from suffering premature failure.

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Does the Honda Clarity Rust Easily?

Most components of the Honda Clarity are made up of aluminum, for which rust is not much of a problem, as said by owners.

Although, some parts of the Clarity are prone to corrosion, as they are made out of steel.

Parts like fasteners, bolts, nuts, etc. are expected to rust within the first ten years of usage if exposed to corrosive salt.

Honda Clarity Reliability: Is the Honda Clarity Reliable?

The Clarity is a new car, and it is too soon to judge if reliable or not. Nevertheless, Honda has a good reputation for reliability, for which the model can be believed to be trustworthy.

J.D. Power has given the Honda Clarity 3 out of 5 rating for reliability which is higher than most cars receive.

The model uses mainly aluminum which does not rust. This shows that the structural integrity of components of the car will remain all right for years.

 Comparison of Reliability Rating of Honda Clarity to Other Vehicles

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How Long Does the Honda Clarity Last Compared to Other Models?

Here, we compare the Clarity to other models of the same category.

Honda Clarity vs. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The Sonata Hybrid is a mid-size sedan, introduced in 2015 by Hyundai, at the North American International Motor Show.

Sonata Hybrid can run up to 200,000 miles before breaking down, which is similar to the expected mileage for Clarity.

The annual maintenance cost for the Sonata is $468 and for the Clarity is $225 on average.

Repairpal rates both Sonata Hybrid and Honda Clarity 4 out of 5 in quality and reliability.

J.D. Power scores the cars regarding quality and reliability, Sonata Hybrid gets 82 out of 100, and Clarity receives 81 out of 100.

The Honda Clarity gets greener credibility, but the Sonata Hybrid will provide more service life at a lower cost.

Honda Clarity vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Camry Hybrid is a fuel-efficient, mid-size hybrid sedan introduced in 2006 by Toyota.

Expected mileage for the Camry Hybrid is up to 300,000 miles and can go beyond that with proper maintenance, whereas the Clarity can only go up to 150,000 miles.

The average annual maintenance cost for the Camry Hybrid is $388, and the price for the Honda Clarity is $225, much less than the Camry.

RepairPal rates both cars an excellent 4 out of 5 in terms of reliability.

According to J.D. Power, the Camry scores 82 out of 100, and Clarity scores 81 out of 100 for consumer verifications.

The Camry Hybrid has a comparatively lower price tag, making it a better choice than the Clarity.

Honda Clarity vs. Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is a five-door compact battery electric vehicle, introduced in 2010, manufactured by Nissan.

Nissan Leaf is expected to last for about 200,000 to 300,000 miles on average, much more than the miles expected from a Honda Clarity.

The Nissan Leaf’s annual servicing and maintenance cost is $748, whereas the Honda Clarity cost is as low as $225 on average.

According to RepairPal, Leaf and Clarity score 4 out of 5 on a reliability scale.

For consumer verifications, J.D. Power scores the Leaf 79 out of 100, and the Clarity receives 81 out of 100.

Even though maintenance cost for the Nissan Leaf is higher than the Honda Clarity, Leaf can run for longer miles than Clarity.

Comparison Chart

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Best and Worst Years for the Honda Clarity

The Honda Clarity has been around since 2015, and by now, it has its fair share of good and bad years.

Best Years

The 2019 model of Honda Clarity received the least number of complaints of any Clarity model and has a much lower incidence of issues.

If you prefer an excellent alternative-fuel vehicle, getting the 2019 model is recommended.

2020 model of Clarity received an overall rating of 7.7 out of 10 and had no major recalls for that year.

Worst Years

2018 model of the Honda Clarity remains the worst year for the car as it had a lot of complaints, mostly related to engine and occasional power loss.

Some complaints were, of the engine revving so high that it felt like it would blow up and then lose power, causing the car to stall.

According to other reports from owners, the transmission on this model would often slip or refuse to go into gear which would cause power loss or acceleration failure.

Model Years and Consumer Ratings

Is the Honda Clarity Expensive to Maintain?

The annual average maintenance cost for a Honda Clarity is $225 but can cost more depending on extensive repairs.

Below are listed some of the common repairs for the Honda Clarity and their cost.

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How Long Does the Honda Clarity Tires Last?

The OEM tires will last up to 50,000 miles before wear and tear start forming, as reported by owners.

The price of the Honda Clarity tires ranges from $220 to $250 on average. Labor will add some extra cost.

Driving style determines the longevity of car tires. Aggressive driving will wear out the tires much faster than expected.

How Long Do the Honda Clarity Brakes Last?

Honda brakes have an average lifespan of 30,000 to 60,000-miles; however, the longevity of your tires depends on some factors.

Rough driving habits and hard braking will wear the brakes much faster than anticipated.

Honda brake pads cost between $150 to $300 per axle to replace.

How Long Does the Honda Clarity Transmission Last?

Transmissions on the Honda vehicles last between 120,000 to 180,000 miles before needing replacements.

The average transmission replacement cost is between $1800 to $3400.

If you do not service the vehicle properly and use it roughly, then the average lifespan of your vehicle’s transmission system will be cut short.

Tips to Lengthen the Lifespan of Your Honda Clarity   

• Charge and use the battery often. Leaving the battery unused and drained will cause it to deteriorate.
• Use good quality parts and fluids.
• Store the vehicle under a shade to protect it from the weather’s elements.
• Rotate the tires every 5000 miles to prevent uneven wear and tear.
• Keep rough driving to a minimum as it will reduce wear and increase the life of your car.
• Notice the monitor alerts from the Maintenance Minder and service the car as needed.
• Wash the car regularly to prevent the formation of rust and corrosion.

We hope this article has guided you with questions about a Honda Clarity.

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