Head-to-head reliability
Honda Clarity vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Clarity and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Clarity vs FORD F 150: The Clarity averages about 46 complaints per year with 8 recalls, while the F-150 averages about 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 16 for the Clarity. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Clarity or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Clarity
The Honda Clarity is a low-volume plug-in hybrid sedan, averaging about 46 complaints per year over five years. Owners most often report engine and electrical issues, including fuel pump failures that can cause stalling and hybrid inverter noises. With only 8 recalls and 16 crash-related complaints, it appears less troublesome per year than the Ford F-150, but the small sample size means patterns are less statistically robust.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: over 11,600 complaints in ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical problems dominate, with frequent reports of transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, it has a much higher rate of reported issues per year.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Clarity | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 228 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 45.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 6 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda Clarity
- 01ENGINE43
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER37
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34
- 05POWER TRAIN30
Owners report fuel pump failures that can cause engine stalling while driving, and some describe a burning smell and loud noises when the hybrid system switches from electric to gas mode. These issues matter because stalling at speed is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include a high-pitched squealing from the hybrid inverter and unexpected acceleration during U-turns, which owners suspect is an electronic control malfunction. These electrical faults can be alarming and may be expensive to diagnose.
The same fuel pump defect appears here, with owners worried about stalling and a February 2024 recall for potential fuel pump failure. Buyers should verify that recall work was completed.
Reports include AC condenser and evaporator failures, plus a sudden unintended acceleration incident during a U-turn. These varied issues suggest owners sometimes face unclear or hard-to-reproduce problems.
“I am writing to express my serious concern regarding the safety recall for my 2019 Honda Clarity (VIN: [XXX] ). The recall, dated February 2024, pertains to a potential fuel pump failure that could cause engine stalling while driving, posing a significant saf…”
“PHEV BURNING SMELL ECON (EV) DRIVING. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THE BATTERY DROPS TO TWO BARS, WHICH MEANS MODE WAS CHANGED TO HYBRID FROM ECON. THERE WERE BIG VROOM SOUNDS FROM ENGINE ROOM WHEN EV MODE CONVERTED HYBRID MODE AT THE SPEED OF 60-70 MPH. EVEN AT…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe recurring transmission problems, including limp mode stuck in 5th gear, failed lead frames, and output speed sensor failures. These can leave the truck undrivable or cause near-collisions, making reliability a major concern.
The lead frame issue also appears as an electrical complaint, and one owner reported the rear window shattering after using the defroster. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and costly to trace.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a top problem area, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should check all lights and related wiring for signs of trouble.
Engine complaints number 880, often tied to the same transmission and limp-mode symptoms that affect drivability. These issues can strand a driver or require major repairs.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda Clarity — 8 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. Internal components may corrode and cause the water pump to fail.
The risk: A failure of the water pump can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began June 10, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4N.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles previously repaired under recall 18V-068. The previous software remedy may have been incomplete. As a result, the fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicl…
The risk: A loss of power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will update the FC-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is A3O.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles. The fuel cell control unit (FC-ECU) may misinterpret a small cell voltage drop, causing the vehicle to have reduced, or a complete loss of, power.
The risk: A loss of power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is R0L.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Clarity Fuel Cell, Clarity Electric, and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-2…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Honda Clarity or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda Clarity has far fewer complaints per year (about 46) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), and fewer recalls (8 vs. 151). In practice, that means a Clarity owner is statistically less likely to face frequent repair visits, but the F-150's much larger sales volume means its problems are more widely reported and documented.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about 25 times more complaints per year than the Honda Clarity, with power train and electrical problems dominating.
- Honda Clarity owners report fuel pump stalling and hybrid inverter squealing, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 8 for the Clarity, including seat belt, door latch, and air bag inflator issues.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the F-150 (330 vs. 16), though this partly reflects its much larger number of vehicles on the road.
- Check for any open recall on the fuel pump—stalling while driving is a reported risk, so confirm the February 2024 recall was performed.
- Listen for a high-pitched squeal from the hybrid inverter and test the AC system, as owners report inverter noise and condenser/evaporator failures.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for limp mode or harsh shifting, especially if the truck has the 6-speed automatic and lead frame issues.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation, since one owner reported the window shattering after using the defroster.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full NHTSA recall history and proof that all open recalls were completed on the specific vehicle.
- For the Clarity, request a hybrid system health check and verify the fuel pump recall was done.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes (like P0722) and test the lead frame and output speed sensor.
- Check the AC system on the Clarity and the rear defroster/window on the F-150 for reported failures.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model's known complaint areas.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda Clarity | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 10 | 44 |
| 2019 | 45 | 52 |
| 2018 | 161 | 79 |
| 2017 | 5 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda Clarity or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Clarity vs FORD F 150
- Honda Clarity total complaints
- 228
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Honda Clarity total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Honda Clarity avg complaints/year
- 45.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Clarity
- Honda Clarity top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN