2018 Honda Clarity PLUG-IN Hybrid

I will first start with our problems/concerns. We had experienced a complete lost power in freeway speed (65 mph) when the battery is depleted, that is when the battery bar goes to zero bar instead of 2 bars usually. I attached a photo from the video I took for your reference. This experience was the engine ramp up and not getting any power while driving on freeway, escpecially obvious during uphill slope. It is a safety hazard where we had to manuver in order avoid traffic since we could not maintain freeway speed. This originally happened around 2022, but we checked with Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos and they told us nothing is wrong and because there was no fault code, nothing they can do. When the Recall service canoaign 24-031 came, we were relieved because we think the problem is going to be fixed. We brought our Honda Clarity to the dealer on 2/3/2025 for the recall and everything was fine (meaning we can drive on HV after our battery is depleted). But around December 2025, my wife experienced the same situation where she couldn’t keep up with the freeway speed after exhausted the electric range of 34 miles. We took it to dealer again on 1/16/2026 and described the situation, dealer came back and said nothing has been found and there were no fault code. After that, the only way that we are trying to do is to avoid the battery to get down to zero miles, but since our battery is only getting 34 miles full charge instead of the 47 miles when it was new (dealer also said this is normal depreciation, I am not sure about that). Again, thank you for helping since losing engine power and speed on freeway is pretty scary and I hope this is enough information for my case. Here are answers to your questions. VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 85300 Dealership: Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos Details: Vehicle losing power on freeway speed after battery is depleted. As described above. First time it happened: Around 2022 First time dealer address my concern rather than told me th INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

Since fuel pump recall fix by dealership, “Emission System Problem” started appearing in my car due to the way fuel pump recall was fixed. They already attempted to fix the issue 5 times but unable to provide permanent fix. Honda corporate office also not willing to help. This is a safety issue as when I drive the car, I smell gas and my car is constantly with dealership without permanent fix.

Hello, I have received a safety recall notice (23V-858) from Honda back in February and another one in July. I have tried to get them to repair it a few times, but they said they do not have the part yet but should have it sometime in the fall. They are telling me that they are only fixing cars with issues at the moment, which I cannot with 100% certainty say my car has the issue they are talking about. The CSR told me that I would have to pay for diagnostics if they found my car not having the issue in question, which of course I do not want to do. My question is, does Honda not have the duty to fix my car in a timely manner if they have issued a recall for it? I have been waiting for at least 7 months now? That is way too long? Thank you for your attention in this matter [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WHILE I WAS CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL, I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. SINCE THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE HAS A KNOWN OIL DILUTION PROBLEM I HAD OIL ANALYSIS DONE AND THE RESULTS CAME BACK INDICATING THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE OIL WHICH CAN DAMAGE THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE AND EVENTUALLY RESULT IN AN ENGINE FAILURE. I CALLED HONDA CORPORATE OFFICE TO REGISTER THE ISSUE AND ON FEB 24TH, I HAD MY OIL SAMPLED. I RECEIVED THE RESULTS ON MARCH 3RD AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED HONDA THE SAME DAY TO SHARE THE ANALYSIS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECOURSE AS OF YET AND PENDING A RESPONSE.

FEW TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED ESPECIALLY IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER, THERE WILL BE LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING IT WILL TAKE THE COMMAND ENGINE RPM WILL BE HIGHER BUT VEHICLE IS NOT TAKING UP THE SPEED. EITHER IT WILL STAY TO GO AT LOW SPEED OR SLOWLY IT WILL STARTING TO HALT SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED FEW TIMES(ABOUT 5-6 TIMES). AND IN SUCH SITUATION THERE WILL SOME UNACCEPTABLE NOISE FROM ENGINE. ONE TIME WE WERE AT ABOUT 50MPH SPEED BUT I COULDN'T ACCELERATE (JUST LIKE ABOVE) AND HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, STOP THE CAR (SHUT THE ENGINE) AND THEN START THE CAR IT STARTED WORKING FINE. THIS HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN ON GAS AND ESPECIALLY DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER. WHILE ON FULLY EV MODE IT WORKS FINE, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN. HOWEVER, AS I APPROACHED THE SUMMIT, NO MATTER HOW FAR DOWN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED. WITH THE PEDAL COMPLETELY FLOORED (PAST THE HYBRID SYSTEM CLICK POINT) THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT PICKUP SPEED, NOR DID IT SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS EVEN TRYING TO REV HIGHER. AS I KEPT APPROACHING THE SUMMIT WITH THE PEDAL FLOORED, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOWLY LOSE SPEED. AS A RESULT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP WITH TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MOVE TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE. DURING THIS EXPERIENCE, THE CAR WAS OPERATING IN HYBRID MODE WITH ABOUT 10% BATTERY CHARGE SAVED. MY PREVIOUS PHEV NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR EVEN THOUGH IT HAD LESS SYSTEM HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE. TO EXPERIENCE THIS WAS DISAPPOINTING. NOT KNOWING IF THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY ACCELERATE WHEN I NEED TO IS HIGHLY DISCONCERTING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BATTERY WAS DEPLETED AND THE ENGINE MODE ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECHARGED AND WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE ENGINE SYSTEM, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, ROAD DEPARTURE, AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,700. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

ON APPROX 6 OCCASIONS, WHEN EV POWER IS USED UP, THE CAR SWITCHES TO ICE MODE WITH ISSUES. WHEN TRAVELING UP HILL, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER, AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE ICE REVS EXTREMELY HIGH WITHOUT SPEED GAIN. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A DOWNHILL SITUATION WITH NEARLY FULL EV IN EV MODE. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DISENGAGES DRIVETRAIN. WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. ONE FEELS HELPLESS WHEN THIS OCCURS. MOST OF THE TIME, THE CAR HAD SWITCHES FROM EV TO HV AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT ISSUE. BUT, THE ABOVE PHENOMENA HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR THIS IS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS AN EV, WITH A GAS ENGINE TO TAKE OVER WHEN EV RUNS OUT. AT NO TIME WAS THERE ANY EXPLANATION REGARDING POTENTIAL SITUATIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSAFE AND LOSE POWER. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENSURE RESERVE EV POWER FOR POTENTIAL POWER LOSS SITUATIONS. WHEN THESE SITUATIONS HAVE OCCURRED, UPON SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND EXITING, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AND OTHER MATERIAL SIMILAR TO TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES, OR HOT METAL. CLEARLY SOMETHING IS OVERHEATING, AND IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHUTDOWN AND ALLOWED TO COOL, A REASONABLE PERSON MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, ELECTRIC MOTORS, EV BATTERY, OR TRANSMISSION WOULD TAKE PLACE. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS A PURE EV FOR CITY DRIVING. THE FEAR OF POWER LOSS WITHOUT CONTROL IS EXTREMELY UPSETTING, AND CONSEQUENTLY, NOT GETTING THE VALUE OF VEHICLE. MY SPOUSE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS DRIVER OR PASSENGER IF THE TRIP IS TO EXCEED 20 MILES IN ONE DIRECTION. MY GAS SAVINGS HAS DROPPED CONSIDERABLY AS I AM UNABLE TO RISK RUNNING OUT OF EV BEFORE MY TRIP ENDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND INSPECTED BY HONDA OF AMERICA. THEY DENY THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON CENTRAL AVE (FROM NORTH TO SOUTH) IN PHOENIX, ENGINE ERROR SIGN AND BRAKE ERROR SIGN WERE FLASHING. MEANWHILE, I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE CAR AS I COULD NOT PUSH THE BRAKE PEDDLE DOWN. SO, I JUST HAD TO LET THE CAR CRUISE ON ITS OWN TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT BRAKE AND FINALLY MANAGED TO TURN INTO PALM LN FOR A STOP. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT IMAGE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I DROVE THE CAR WITHOUT THE CONTROL OF THE BRAKE.