Research · Midsize Cars
2021 Honda ClarityRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2021 Honda Clarity. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (1) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 68 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
68mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2021 Honda Clarity as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2020 – Sep 2024
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Steering1
- Electrical system1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Power train1
- Engine1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Forward collision avoidance
1 report
“Received multiple warning alerts that adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and Lane Departure/Keeping were not working while driving car. Took car to Honda dealership for repair and was told that this was a "DTC U3000-49" multipurpose camera unit failure. The component was only inspected by the Honda dealership. There were no warning indications prior to the failure warning lights.”
Steering
1 report1 crash
“I was reversing in order to go up a driveway at an Airbnb where my husband and I had been staying. The bottom of the car is low to the ground, and it was difficult to clear a rise at the bottom of the driveway. I was putting the car in reverse in order to try again when the car made a loud noise and in a split second veered at high speed to the other side of the cul de sac (the wheel was turned in order to go back up the driveway so it explains the trajectory but not what happened). Luckily, no cars were coming and it was a quiet residential area. The car crashed into the opposite curb and the right passenger airbag deployed. Luckily, no one was hurt. However, the car froze up and I could not steer or brake to avoid hitting the curb at high speed. The car was towed to a local collision service used by Beaverton Honda, and my husband and I flew home as we were out of town. The car sat at the collision lot for several weeks, the company saying they had no time to get to it. It was eventually declared totaled, and we were reimbursed by insurance. I never found out what went wrong with the car. We called Honda corporate and they made a report but we never heard…”
Electrical system
1 report1 crash
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- fcv
- Transmissions
- Automatic (A1)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hydrogen
- EV range
- 360 mi (EPA)
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity FCV Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive | 68 | 67 | 68 | — | — |
- 68mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Honda Clarity as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 15367
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2021 Clarity questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Clarity have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Clarity problems?
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (1), steering (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Honda Clarity get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Honda Clarity at 68 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026