2013 Honda Insight: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Honda Insight? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 45 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2013 Honda Insight Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2013 Honda Insight trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2013 Honda Insight Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated11.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
11.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Honda Insight has 45 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Insight
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 45
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 41
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 40 / 42
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2013 Honda Insight Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Airbag Malfunctions, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Honda Insight?
The 2013 Honda Insight shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2013 Honda Insight
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the engine thoroughly, including checking for known issues like excessive oil consumption or stalling.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag and engine-related recalls.
- Request service records for engine, airbag, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine and transmission.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the engine thoroughly, including checking for known issues like excessive oil consumption or stalling.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag and engine-related recalls.
- Request service records for engine, airbag, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine and transmission.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Honda Insight, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 45 NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Honda Insight, issues appear concentrated in the engine, with 31 complaints. Airbag and transmission concerns are also reported. The data suggests potential reliability concerns, but the low confidence level and limited sample size warrant caution.
- Engine problems account for the majority of complaints (31 out of 45).
- Airbag malfunctions are the second most reported issue (8 complaints).
- Transmission/drivetrain issues are noted in 7 complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2013 Honda Insight Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Honda Insight. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 31 | — | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Honda Insight. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
I have had a 2013 Honda Insight since September 2024 and I have complained about excessive oil consumption since October 2024.This past Saturday my car stopped on the highway when I tried to accelerate. It was towed to Honda and the diagnostic comes back as piston ring replacemen…
Noticed decreased performance & frequent oil changes in 2015. At first, I did not know the weak engine performance was related to the oil consumption & was never offered diagnostic testing until May 2023 across multiple Honda shops in different states. With this, I was under the …
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that vehicle failed to respond after shifting the transmission to the desired gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate whil…
I experienced "rough running" of my 2013 Honda Insight just prior to August of 2021. Initial work on the vehicle helped, but repairs became increasingly expensive and extensive. EX: A simple oil change on about 8/2/2021 (mileage at 64,545). At about mileage 68,370 the vehicle fai…
The contact owns 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine was consuming 3-4 quarts of oil per 1,000 miles…
I have owned my Honda Insight for almost 10 years now. I bought it because it has great MPG. But this year has been horrible for it. It suddenly lost power while I was driving on the highway. Luckily I was able to move over to the side, and traffic was not too heavy at the tim…
2013 Honda Insight Hybrid LX (4 cylinder) vehicle purchased on 8/19/14. thanks This complaint is was filed to due engine oil consumption on my Honda-hybrid. In 2020 my car began losing oil quite frequently as I was having to add or change the oil often. On 8/27/21 I took the vehi…
We were driving our Honda in a 70mph zone and the car's speed suddenly dropped to 15mph. We were not able to drive any faster than 15mph and could have been killed while driving on a highway where other cars were driving at 70mph, or we could have caused a pile up of cars with m…
THE VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP. IT FALLS DOWN AND OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVERS VIEW. EVEN WHEN IT IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD, IT DROPS BACK AND OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW. IT STARTED DROOPING A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT NOW HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE A LOT O…
PROGRESSIVE INCREASE IN LOSS OF MOTOR OIL FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS. I HAVE TO ADD 1 QUART OF 0W-20 VALVOLINE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL EVERY 2 WEEKS! DARK SMOKE COMING OUT EXHAUST WITH ACCELERATION. KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE MOTOR OBSERVED. I USED TO HAVE HONDA ACCORD AND NEVER HAD THIS PR…
SO MY 2013 HONDA INSIGHT HAS ALWAYS CONSUMED OIL. I DROVE FROM IDAHO TO UTAH STOPPED AT THE STORE WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE UP MY DISPLAY HAS CHECK VSA, CHECK HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM, AND CHECK TPMS. I TRIED DRIVING AWAY FROM THE STORE TO GET TO HONDA AND IT LOSES ALL POWER AND …
TRAVELING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND MULTIPLE CHECK MESSAGES DISPLAYED. I HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER SHOP.…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AND MORE OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FORCE FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A METAL RATTLING NOISE AND THE ENGINE WAS LOSING OIL PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COULD NOT COAST THE VEHICLE AND LET IT VEER OFF TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANDERGR…
"TAKATA RECALL DEALER FAILURE TO ADDRESS-REMEDY SITUATION (PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA INSIGHT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMALLY LOW OIL LEVEL AFTER DRIVING 2,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WINTER HONDA (3850 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT …
2013 HONDA INSIGHT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGIN…
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED AFTER 3 YEARS, SINGLE OWNER AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. COULD NOT BE REBUILT, FLYWHEEL INVOLVED AS WELL.
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HONDA INSIGHT.THE CAR HAD EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. IT REQUIRED ONE QUART OF OIL TO BE ADDED EVERY 2-3 WEEKS. WE REPEATEDLY VOICED OUR CONCERNS IN AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS. EACH TIME WE WERE TOLD BY THE THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE OIL CONS…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Honda Insight.
2013 Honda Insight Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Honda Insight. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2013 Honda Insight Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Honda Insight reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 45 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Honda Insight shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda Insight?▾
#1: Engine Problems (31 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (8 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (7 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Honda Insight?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Honda Insight?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Honda Insight, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 45 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Honda Insight have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Honda Insight. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2013 Honda Insight?▾
The 2013 Honda Insight shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Insight reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Honda Insight based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.