- 1,082 vehicles affected in the United States, all in California
- Fuel Cell ECU software will be updated, free of charge
- No reports of crashes or injuries related to the defect
Honda will voluntarily recall 1,082 model-year 2017-2018 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles in the United States to update the Fuel Cell Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software, free of charge. In the U.S., the Clarity Fuel Cell is currently exclusively available for lease in California, and all affected vehicles will require the free repair at one of the twelve authorized Honda Fuel Cell dealers in the state. Honda has received no reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue.
The Fuel Cell ECU software responsible for monitoring voltage in the fuel cell stack may misinterpret a minor voltage variance and erroneously shut down the fuel cell stack in response, resulting in an unexpected loss of motive power, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda announced a recall in February 2018 to address a similar issue with the software in the 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle, but three subsequent consumer reports of loss of motive power revealed the potential for a misinterpretation of voltage variation in an area of the fuel cell not anticipated by the earlier software update.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage lessees of affected vehicles to take them to an authorized Honda Fuel Cell dealer as soon as possible for repair. Mailed notification to lessees will occur in mid-February 2019. Clarity Fuel Cell lessees can also determine if their vehicles require repair by visiting www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138.
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