Honda Insight Best and Worst Years (2005–2022)
Avoid the 2010, 2019, and 2020 Honda Insight, which carry the highest complaint index scores (100, 90, and 80) and the most recalls. The 2014 is the Best year and 2021 is Good, with far fewer complaints and problems.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 11
- 2005–2022
- NHTSA complaints
- 459
- Recall campaigns
- 22
- Crashes reported
- 43
- Fires reported
- 3
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Insight Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Honda Insight problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 49.5 | — |
| 2006 | No verdict | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 49.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 119 | 21 | 0 | 10 | Airbags | 41 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 40 | 41 | 3 | 0 | 10 | Airbags | 40 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 41 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 60 | 45 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Engine | 41 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 41 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 90 | 98 | 12 | 1 | 8 | Fuel System | 50 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 50 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 30 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 50 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 70 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 50 | 5★ |
Insight years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Honda Insight Index 100 · 119 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2010 Insight has the highest complaint index of any year, with 119 total complaints and 10 recall campaigns. Airbags dominate owner reports, accounting for 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,796. Owners also reported brake problems (16% of complaints, median mileage 41,000), including cases of brakes failing to respond at low speed and causing crashes. Structure & Body and Electrical System issues each made up over 10% of complaints. NHTSA recorded 21 crashes, 11 injuries, and 2 deaths tied to this year, the worst injury and death totals in the model's history.
2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →2010 structure & body problems →
2019 Honda Insight Index 90 · 98 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2019 Insight logged 98 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, giving it a complaint index of 90. Fuel System problems led the complaints at 24%, with a median failure mileage of 50,000, tied to a recall covering fuel pump module replacement. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues followed at 20% (median mileage 32,000), and Brakes at 15% with a much lower median mileage of 7,800, including reports of brakes failing to respond during low-speed maneuvers. NHTSA recorded 12 crashes and 6 injuries for this year.
2019 fuel system problems →2019 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2019 brakes problems →
2020 Honda Insight Index 80 · 31 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2020 Insight had 31 complaints and 6 recall campaigns, producing a complaint index of 80. Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems were the largest category at 42% of complaints, with a low median failure mileage of 6,000, including reports of automatic braking activating unexpectedly. Electrical System issues followed at 23% (median mileage 13,400), and Engine complaints at 19% occurred at a very low median mileage of 2,800. NHTSA recorded 3 crashes and 2 injuries tied to this model year.
Most common Honda Insight problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags121 (26%)
- Engine108 (24%)
- Electrical System57 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras55 (12%)
- Brakes52 (11%)
- Other43 (9%)
- Fuel System40 (9%)
- Structure & Body33 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Honda Insight should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2019, and 2020 Honda Insight. These years have complaint index scores of 100, 90, and 80, the highest in the model's 11 years of data.
- What is the best year for the Honda Insight?
- The 2014 Honda Insight is rated Best, with only 5 complaints and a complaint index of 20. The 2021 model is rated Good, with 25 complaints and an index of 30.
- Does the 2010 Honda Insight have airbag problems?
- Yes. Airbags are the top complaint area for the 2010 Insight, making up 48% of its 119 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,796. The year also had 10 recall campaigns.
- Why is the 2011 Honda Insight rated Caution instead of a lower complaint index score?
- The 2011 Insight's verdict is capped to Caution because it has 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 40 is lower than the avoid years.
- How many total complaints does the Honda Insight have?
- Across all 11 model years with data, NHTSA lists 459 total complaints and 22 recall campaigns for the Honda Insight.