Recall 18V068 affects 471 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles for software that can reduce propulsion power. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 471 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles because the fuel cell control unit can misread a small cell voltage drop and reduce or cut vehicle power. A loss of power increases crash risk, and Honda dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell uses a fuel cell control unit, often called the FC-ECU, to watch the fuel cell stack and manage power output. It reads cell voltage and tells the propulsion system how much power is available, so the car can keep driving normally.
In vehicles covered by NHTSA campaign 18V068, the control unit can misread a small drop in cell voltage as a larger problem. When that false reading happens, the software reduces power or shuts propulsion power down completely. The defect is in how the control software interprets the voltage signal, not in an owner maintenance item.
There is no warning sign before failure. Honda's investigation reproduced the behavior after reports in Japan, and the filing describes the issue as erroneous warning-light detection rather than a driver-noticeable symptom before the power loss.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell | Hybrid propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 471 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loss of power can increase the risk of a crash, especially in traffic where you need steady acceleration to keep pace or move out of danger. Schedule the software update soon, and tell the dealer if the vehicle has already lost power. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free software update that corrects the fuel-cell control unit power-loss issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V068 when you call.
- Call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 with questions, and ask the dealer to note Honda recall R0L on the repair order.
- Drive cautiously until the update is complete, and pull over safely if the vehicle loses power.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician installs the fuel cell control unit software update covered by recall 18V068. The update is meant to keep the FC-ECU from misreading a small cell voltage drop and reducing or cutting vehicle power. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you paid out of pocket for a related software or loss-of-power repair before the owner notice, Honda's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair orders and payment records to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 25, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 26, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 26, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V068?
Recall 18V068 covers 471 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles with FC-ECU software that can misread a small cell voltage drop and reduce or cut propulsion power. A loss of power increases crash risk. Honda dealers install the software update for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V068. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the FC-ECU software update. Reference recall number 18V068 or Honda recall number R0L when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. Honda dealers install the FC-ECU software update free of charge, and Honda customer service is available at 1-888-234-2138 for recall R0L.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of propulsion power while driving. Honda reported that the FC-ECU software can misinterpret a small fuel-cell voltage drop, which can reduce power or cause a complete loss of power. That increases crash risk.
When did Honda begin this recall repair?
Honda began the recall repair on February 28, 2018. Since the remedy is available, an included 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is eligible for the dealer software update now. Use the VIN check before scheduling so the dealer can confirm coverage.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V068000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V068 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V068000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →