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⚡ NHTSA Official DataUpdated: Jun 2026Methodology

Honda Insight Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data

Comparing used Honda Insight options? We analyzed 10 model years (2009–2022) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

📋
442
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
🔔
57
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
💥
42
Crash-Related
crash complaints
🔥
2
Fire-Related
fire complaints
🏥
27
Injuries Reported
across all years
📈
Average
Reliability Signal
overall trend

Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Honda Insight you plan to buy.

Quick Answer

HONDA INSIGHT (2009–2022) has 442 NHTSA complaints and 57 recalls. Top issues include air bags (118 complaints) and engine (88). The 2010 model year has the most complaints (119). Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.

Honda Insight — key reliability facts
Make
Honda
Model
Insight
Model years analyzed
2009–2022 (10 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
442
Safety recall campaigns
57
Crash-related complaints
42
Fire-related complaints
2
Worst model year (by complaints)
2010 (119 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2014 (5 complaints)
Top reported issue area
AIR BAGS
Reliability signal
Average
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) · Data last refreshed Jun 18, 2026
This Insight has 57 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free →

Honda Insight: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

⚠ Years to Avoid
2010 Honda Insight119 complaints2019 Honda Insight94 complaints2012 Honda Insight59 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

✓ Best Years to Buy
2014 Honda Insight5 complaints2021 Honda Insight23 complaints2022 Honda Insight28 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

2022
2022 Honda INSIGHT 4 DR FWD
Overall Safety
★★★★★5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★★5/5
Side Crash
★★★★★5/5
Rollover Risk
★★★★★5/5
2021
2021 Honda INSIGHT 4 DR FWD
Overall Safety
★★★★★5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★★5/5
Side Crash
★★★★★5/5
Rollover Risk
★★★★★5/5
2020
2020 Honda INSIGHT 4 DR FWD
Overall Safety
★★★★★5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★★5/5
Side Crash
★★★★★5/5
Rollover Risk
★★★★★5/5
How to Read NCAP Stars
★★★★★5 stars - Excellent
★★★★4 stars - Good
★★★3 stars - Average
★★2 stars - Below average
★1 star - Poor
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the Complaint Data Suggests

Average
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Honda Insight across 2009–2022 model years has 442 complaints and 57 recalls. Top concerns include air bags (118 complaints), engine (88), and forward collision avoidance (48). Crash-related complaints total 42. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.

Key Findings
  • Air bags account for 118 complaints, the highest of any component.
  • Engine complaints total 88, the second most frequent issue.
  • The 2010 model year has 119 complaints, the highest of any year.
Top Concerns
  • Air bags: 118 complaints, potential deployment or failure issues.
  • Engine: 88 complaints, may involve stalling or performance problems.
  • Forward collision avoidance: 48 complaints, possible system malfunctions.
⚠️ Worst Years

2010 (119 complaints) and 2019 (94 complaints) show elevated issues, driven largely by air bags and engine problems.

✅ Best Years

Years with fewest complaints include 2009 (0), 2014 (5), and 2021 (23), which may indicate lower issue rates.

What to Check Before Buying Used
  • Inspect engine for stalling or performance issues.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for air bag and engine repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect forward collision avoidance system.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. Complaint counts may be influenced by reporting bias or vehicle popularity.

📅 Problems by Model Year (Best vs. Worst Years)

2010
119
2011
40
2012
59
2013
45
2014
5
2019
94
2020
29
2021
23
2022
28
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jun 2026

🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls

57 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #20V771000October 12, 2020

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Campaign #18V042000September 1, 2018

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #17V030000October 1, 2017

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #16V061000March 2, 2016

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #16V061000March 2, 2016

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #18V661000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #18V268000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #19V502000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #19V500000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #19V378000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #17V545000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #16V346000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #18V661000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #19V502000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #20V798000

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Campaign #20V314000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign #21V215000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign #23V858000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign #26V332000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Campaign #20V798000

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2009–2022. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 442 NHTSA complaints.

1
AIR BAGS
118 complaints
2
ENGINE
88 complaints
3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
48 complaints
4
SERVICE BRAKES
45 complaints
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
42 complaints
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
38 complaints
7
STRUCTURE
23 complaints
8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
21 complaints

📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports

442 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

ENGINEDec 2020

ON 21 OCT 2020, WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT STEADY SPEED USING CRUISE CONTROL ON LEVEL GROUND. ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. LIMPED OFF HIGHWAY, UNABLE TO EXCEED 20 MPH. ERRATIC IDLE. CEL, CHECK EMISSIONS AND CHECK VSA DISPLAYED ON DRIVER'S INFORMATION DISPLAY. OCCURRED AT 147523. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER AND GUIDES, ALL SPARK PLUGS, AND NEW PISTONS AND RINGS AS A RESULT OF OBSERVING OIL ON SPARK PLUGS. LAST OIL CHANGE OCCURRED AT 140940 MILES. I DECLINED REPAIRS AS COST EXCEEDED REMAINING VALUE OF CAR.

AIR BAGSDec 2016

TAKATA RECALL - PARTS TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE!

AIR BAGSDec 2016

I GOT A NOTICE THAT BOTH AIRBAGS ON MY CAR WERE FAULTY AND THAT HONDA WOULD FIX THEM FOR FREE. THE PARTS DIDN'T COME IN FOR 3 OR 4 MONTHS. I WAS COMMUTING 400 MILES A WEEK FOR WORK AND ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR ME UNTIL THEN. THEY WOULD FURNISH THE CAR BUT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSURANCE ON IT. THEY TOLD ME TO GET IT INSURED BY MY OWN PERSONAL AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT AND NEITHER WOULD ANY OTHER. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THE $20.00 A DAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR INSURANCE I HAD TO JUST TAKE MY CHANCES OF SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IN THE EVENT OF MY AIRBAGS GOING OFF. MY 82 YEAR OLD MOTHER RODE IN THAT CAR TO HER DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND THE GROCERY. WE BOTH HAVE COPD AND I HAVE A PACEMAKER. THE STRESS THE SITUATION CAUSED WAS STAGGERING AND CERTAINLY NOT GOOD FOR EITHER OF US. WHAT GOOD DID IT DO FOR HONDA TO INFORM ME OF THE RECALL IF THEY COULDN'T FIX IT RIGHT AWAY AND WOULD NOT PAY THE INSURANCE SO I COULD GET A RENTAL CAR? I GUESS THE SICK AND ELDERLY DON'T MATTER TO A BIG COMPANY LIKE HONDA.

AIR BAGSDec 2016

TAKATA RECALL WE'VE BEEN NOTIFIED TWICE TO GET OUR CAR REPAIRED. WHEN CONTACTING DEALERSHIP, WE'RE TOLD THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR. WE LIVE IN MISSISSIPPI, WHERE THE CLIMATE IS HUMID AND HOT. WE UNDERSTAND THIS A HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENT FOR A MALFUNCTION. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN WE CAN EXPECT TO HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE CORRECTED.

AIR BAGSNov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT F TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGSOct 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 12/28/16 *BF UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER WAITING SIX MONTHS, THE AIR BAG WAS FINALLY REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2016. UPDATED 01/05/17.*JB

AIR BAGSOct 2016

TAKATA RECALL. DEALER SAID THE FIX WOULD OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER; SO FAR NOTHING. I WORRY EVERY TIME I DRIVE THAT I COULD BE KILLED BY A SAFETY DEVICE.

AIR BAGSOct 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V346000 AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGSOct 2016

TAKATA AND PASSENGER RECALLS. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LAST MARCH, 2016 FOR AN AIR BAG RECALL. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, CAPITOL HONDA SEVERAL TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY SAY THE WILL ORDER THE PART. I NEVER GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I CALLED THE MANAGER AND LEFT A VOICE MESSAGES, BUT NEVER GOT A CALL BACK. I LIVE IN SAN JOSE AND HAVE HEARD THAT PEOPLE IN HUMID CLIMATES SHOULD BE WORRIED. I CAN'T STOP DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE I NEED TO GET PLACES. BUT IT HAS BEEN 1/2 YEAR NOW. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING THE CAR.

AIR BAGSSep 2016

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LAST MARCH, 2016 FOR AN AIR BAG RECALL. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, JOHN EAGLE HONDA SEVERAL TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY SAY THE WILL ORDER THE PART. I NEVER GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I CALLED THE MANAGER AND LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE, BUT NEVER GOT A CALL BACK. I LIVE IN HOUSTON AND HAVE HEARD THAT PEOPLE IN HUMID CLIMATES SHOULD BE WORRIED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I CAN'T STOP DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE I NEED TO GET PLACES. BUT IT HAS BEEN 1/2 YEAR NOW. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING THE CAR.

AIR BAGSSep 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGSSep 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGSSep 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 AND 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

AIR BAGSAug 2016

TAKATA RECALL OUR FAMILY VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS. WE RECEIVED A LOANER CAR FROM UNIVERSITY HONDA DEALERSHIP IN DAVIS, CA, ON 07.20.2016 UNTIL OUR VEHICLE WAS FIXED. WE DROPPED OUR VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 07.30.2016 AND DEALER, ON TWO OCCASIONS, VERBALLY AND IN WRITING, CONFIRMED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WOULD BE FIXED THAT DAY. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY CORRECTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND REQUESTED WE RETURN THE LOANER CAR AS OUR VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, WAS NOW SAFE TO DRIVE. WE EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND WE UTILIZE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BUT TO NO AVAIL. WE ARE NOW DRIVING OUR VEHICLE WHICH IS UNSAFE FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND POSSIBLY OTHER OCCUPANTS IN CASE THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HONDA USA SINCE 07.30.2016. IT TOOK THEM ALMOST FIVE WEEKS TO RESPOND TO MY CLAIM THAT THEY INITIALLY STATED WOULD TAKE THEM ONLY A WEEK TO REPLY. THEY DENIED MY CLAIM, 04845132, STATING THAT I DO NOT NEED TO UTILIZE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BASED ON THE SIZE OF MY FAMILY. THIS IS A VERY WEAK EXCUSE ON THEIR PART AS THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED WAS AND IS INTENDED TO BE UTILIZED BY FIVE PEOPLE NOT FOUR. IT SEEMS HONDA IS CHOOSING PROFITS OVER PASSENGER SAFETY. WHAT I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO DO IS OFFER ME A FREE RENTAL UNTIL MY VEHICLE IS FULLY SAFE FOR ALL PASSENGERS.

AIR BAGSAug 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGSAug 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

💥 Crash🏥 1 InjuryPOWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLAug 2016

THIS MORNING (AUG 6, 2016), MYSELF AND MY DAD MET WITH AN ACCIDENT AND WAS DRIVING HONDA INSIGHT 2011 LX MODEL. NOTE THAT MY DAD WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LET ME DESCRIBE THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS GROCERY STORE IN THE PARKING AVAILABLE SPOT JUST FACING SPROUTS. SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR AND THE SPEED WAS AROUND 5MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I COULD FEEL MY INSIGHT ENGINE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE LEG BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T SPEED UP. SUDDENLY, THE INSIGHT STARTED SPEEDING UP AND DIDN'T STOP EVEN AFTER SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE AND IT JUMPED ON THE PARKING CURB AND FINALLY HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS RESULTING IN DEPLOYING THE DRIVER AIR-BAG AND THE PASSENGER AIR-BAGS. MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A DEEP CRACK AND I BELIEVE MY CAR IS GOING TO BE TOTALLED. WITH THAT, IT DIDN'T STOP, AFTER HITTING SO HARD THE CONCRETE WALL, REMEMBER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE AND NOT IN REVERSE MODE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS AND EVEN DIDN'T STOP AFTER SLAMMING ON THE LEG BRAKE. THEN I CAME OUT OF THE SHOCK AND APPLIED MY HAND BRAKE AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE CAR MOVING BACKWARDS. LUCKILY, THIS CRASH DIDN'T CAUSE ANY BODILY INJURY TO ANY THIRD PARTIES BUT I HAD SOME BRUISES ON MY RIGHT ARM DEVELOPED DUE TO SOME METAL PIECES FROM THE TAKATA AIR-BAG.

AIR BAGSAug 2016

TAKATA RECALL OUR FAMILY VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS. WE RECEIVED A LOANER CAR FROM UNIVERSITY HONDA DEALERSHIP IN DAVIS, CA, ON 07.20.2016 UNTIL OUR VEHICLE WAS FIXED. WE DROPPED OUR VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 07.30.2016 AND DEALER, ON TWO OCCASIONS, VERBALLY AND IN WRITING, CONFIRMED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WOULD BE FIXED THAT DAY. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY CORRECTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND REQUESTED WE RETURN THE LOANER CAR AS OUR VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, WAS NOW SAFE TO DRIVE. WE EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND WE UTILIZE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BUT TO NO AVAIL. WE ARE NOW DRIVING OUR VEHICLE WHICH IS UNSAFE FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND POSSIBLY OTHER OCCUPANTS IN CASE THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS. WE WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE COULD NOT EXTEND THE LOANER UNTIL ALL AIR BAGS ARE FIXED AS OUR VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR ALL PASSENGERS.

AIR BAGSAug 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGSJul 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS NOTIFIED IN MARCH ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN LATE SPRING EARLY SUMMER. NOW I SEE IT WILL BE LATE SUMMER EARLY FALL. I WANT HONDA TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR ME UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. I FEEL LIKE I'M PUTTING MY LIFE IN JEOPARDY AS WELL AS MY PASSENGERS EVERY TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT PEOPLE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THIS DEFECT WITHOUT OFFERING SOME REMEDY?

Showing 20 of 442 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Before You Buy, Check the Exact Honda Insight

These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

📖 Understanding This Data

📋

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Honda Insight has 442 complaints on record across 10 model years.

🔔

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Honda Insight has 57 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

💥

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 42 of the Honda Insight's 442 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

🧭

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

📊

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

🔍

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Honda Insight vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Honda Insight vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

🔎

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Honda Insight has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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How does the Honda Insight stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.

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📍 Check a Honda Insight by State

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Honda Insight.

VIN check in CaliforniaVIN check in TexasVIN check in FloridaVIN check in New YorkVIN check in PennsylvaniaVIN check in IllinoisVIN check in OhioVIN check in GeorgiaFree VIN check →

Honda Insight reliability — frequently asked questions

Is the Honda Insight reliable?

Average. The Honda Insight has 442 NHTSA owner complaints and 57 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Honda Insight years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2010 (119 complaints), 2019 (94 complaints), 2012 (59 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Honda Insight problems?

Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (118 complaints); ENGINE (88 complaints); FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (48 complaints).

Does the Honda Insight have recalls?

Yes — 57 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Honda Insight. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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