YearToAvoid

2011 Honda Insight Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2011 Honda Insight has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 7th worst of 11 model years, but its Caution verdict is capped due to 10 recall campaigns, mostly airbag inflator replacements. Airbags account for 68% of its 41 complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
40/100
#7 of 11 Insight years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
41
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
10
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
40
39 city / 41 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2011 Honda Insight problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags28 (68%)
  2. Engine6 (15%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)
  4. Electrical System2 (5%)
  5. Seat Belts2 (5%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (5%)
  7. Fuel System1 (2%)
  8. Steering1 (2%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed rear-end or parking-lot collisions, sometimes with the median failure mileage sitting around 42,000 miles.
  • Several drivers describe front tires wearing out prematurely, in one case at 16,000 miles, contributing to loss of control in snow or over speed bumps.
  • One owner reported the rear seat belt getting stuck in the seat's plastic cover, making it too loose to secure a child car seat even after repeated dealer visits.
  • A driver described hesitation when the gas engine re-engaged after stopping on an incline, causing the car to roll backward briefly.
  • Owners note the rear window's center bar distorts visibility, and some found the low-beam headlights inadequate for side viewing at night.
2011 Honda Insight complaints: complaints filed per month6Sep 2011Sep 2012Jun 2013Aug 2014May 2016Aug 2016Nov 2016Aug 2026
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2011 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2016 (6).

2011 Honda Insight recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

  2. NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

  3. NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

See all 10 recalls for the 2011 Honda Insight →

2011 Honda Insight fuel economy and fuel cost

City
39 MPG
Highway
41 MPG
Combined
40 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Insight years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006201020112012201320142019202020212022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006No verdict102149.5
2010Avoid1001191041
2011Caution40411040
2012Caution5059841
2013Caution6045641

All Honda Insight years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Honda Insight reliable?
NHTSA data shows 41 complaints and a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 7th worst among 11 Insight model years. The verdict is Caution, held back mainly by 10 recall campaigns.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Honda Insight?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 68% of complaints (28 of 41), including reports of non-deployment in crashes.
Does the 2011 Honda Insight have airbag recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2011 Insight, and nearly all of them involve replacing or inspecting frontal airbag inflators or modules.
How does the 2011 Insight compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 40 is lower than 2010 (100, Avoid), 2012 (50, Caution), and 2013 (60, Caution), but still results in a Caution verdict because of its 10 recalls.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Honda Insight?
EPA rates it at 40 mpg combined (39 city/41 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.