YearToAvoid

2020 Honda Insight Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2020 Honda Insight ranks 3rd-worst among 11 model years, with a complaint index of 80, 31 complaints, and 6 recalls. Its top problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras (42% of complaints, median mileage 6,000), earning it an Avoid verdict.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#3 of 11 Insight years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
31
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
50
53 city / 47 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2020 Honda Insight problems

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

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (42%)
  2. Electrical System7 (23%)
  3. Engine6 (19%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain5 (16%)
  5. Brakes4 (13%)
  6. Other3 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (10%)
  8. Fuel System2 (6%)
  9. Steering2 (6%)
  10. Airbags1 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Automatic emergency braking activates on its own at low speeds, dropping speed suddenly with no obstacle present.
  • Collision-avoidance systems reportedly misread shadows, signboards, or overhead bridges as objects and brake hard in response.
  • Some owners report the car slamming the brakes at highway speed when a vehicle ahead simply changes lanes or exits.
  • One owner described the transmission triggering a dashboard warning after a stuck solenoid code, occurring at low mileage.
  • A reported failure of the power steering linkage and a sensor knocked out the ADAS systems along with power steering.
  • One owner described smoke from the rear of the car on the interstate along with AC, LKAS, and low-oil warnings appearing together.
2020 Honda Insight complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2020Nov 2020Nov 2021Jul 2022Mar 2023Aug 2024Aug 2025Jun 2026
31 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Dec 2020 (3).

2020 Honda Insight recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

  3. NHTSA 21V215000Mar 25, 2021Fuel System624,552 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

See all 6 recalls for the 2020 Honda Insight →

2020 Honda Insight fuel economy and fuel cost

City
53 MPG
Highway
47 MPG
Combined
50 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,300
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.

2020 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
2014Best205341
2019Avoid9098850
2020Avoid8031650
2021Good3025350
2022Caution7032350

All Honda Insight years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Honda Insight reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2020 Insight has a complaint index of 80, the 3rd-worst among 11 model years for this model, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Insight years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Honda Insight?
Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints make up 42% of all reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 6,000 miles, more than any other problem area.
Does the 2020 Honda Insight have recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns tied to the 2020 Insight, covering the fuel pump, DC-DC converter/12-volt battery, BCM software affecting collision-avoidance communication, and airbags, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 Insight compare to other years?
The 2020 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than 2021 (30, Good) and 2014 (20, Best) but better than 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2019 (90, Avoid).

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.