2021 Honda Insight Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
30/100
#8 most-complained of 11 Insight years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Honda Insight has 25 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 30 out of 100 — #8 highest of 11 Insight model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is collision avoidance & cameras (8 complaints, 32% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 1 injury.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 50
- 53 city / 47 hwy
Top 2021 Honda Insight problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (32%)
- Other6 (24%)
- Brakes4 (16%)
- Electrical System4 (16%)
- Structure & Body4 (16%)
- Airbags3 (12%)
- Engine2 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Lane Departure1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
2021 Honda Insight recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- NHTSA 20V798000Dec 17, 2020Electrical System27,838 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:charging:module:software
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Insight years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Honda Insight a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Honda Insight ranks #8 of 11 among Insight model years (Complaint Index 30/100, verdict: Good). It has 25 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Insight?
- The most reported problem areas are collision avoidance & cameras (8 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), and electrical system (4 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 4,250 miles.
- Does the 2021 Honda Insight have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2021 Honda Insight, most recently reported 2026, covering airbags and electrical system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Honda Insight?
- EPA rates the 2021 Honda Insight at 50 MPG combined (53 city / 47 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.