CSR

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2013 Honda Insight

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

45

Complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Honda Insight have filed 45 safety complaints with NHTSA between December 2013 and November 2025. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 31 of them (69%). The typical failure was reported at 60,000 miles, the median across the 31 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V502000 · June 27, 2019

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

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 9,555 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V500000 · June 27, 2019

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

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 1,558 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V378000 · May 16, 2019

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 19,138 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V661000 · September 27, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 1,355,406 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V042000 · January 9, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 691,726 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V061000 · February 3, 2016

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,232,187 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 45.

ENGINE 31 69%
AIR BAGS 8 18%
POWER TRAIN 7 16%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 2%
SEAT BELTS 1 2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 11.

2013 2016 2025
2013 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · 20 miles

DRIVING ON A BUSY S.E. STREET IN WASHINGTON DC, DRIVING ABOUT 20 TO 30 MPH., HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLOWING OUT OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF NOISE EMANATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKE, BUT INSTEAD THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. IT SPED UP AT LEAST ANOTHER 15 TO 20 MORE MPH, AND AGAIN, WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE VEHICLES IN THE BACK, SO I COULD NOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OR SHUT THE CAR OFF. THERE WERE ALSO VEHICLES ON THE SIDE AND IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION ON HOW TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN WITHOUT HITTING ANY PEDESTRIANS OR ANY OTHER VEHICLES. DECIDED TO TRY AND STOP THE CAR BY HITTING SOMETHING STATIONARY AND RAN INTO A SET OF

NHTSA complaint 10663474, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 20,300 miles

MY CAR WAS HIT AT 60MPH, FROM A RUN AWAY CAR FLEEING THE POLICE, ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR THEN FLIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE ROTATED 180 DEGREE, ROLLED OVER AND SLID 100FT TO STOPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR STOPPED WITH TWO WHEELS IN THE AIR. THE MAJOR COMPLAINT IS ONLY THE PASSENGER CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS, AND DRIVER CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY INJURIES WERE GLASS IN MY EYE, SEAT BELT RESTRAINT INJURIES, NECK & BACK PAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10556060. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · 39,224 miles

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE HIGH WAY DRIVING NORMALLY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WENT OFF, I HIT MY BRAKES IMMEDIATELY OUT OF FEAR. MY HAND WAS CUT, BRUISED AND SLIGHTLY BLEEDING. LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS MODEL OF CAR IS IN RECALL, YET MY VIN ISN'T ONE OF THEM. IT SCARES ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TICKING TIME BOMB SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. I FEEL LOST SINCE HONDA SAYS MY CAR ISN'T ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, YET WHY WOULD MY AIR BAG JUST DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING?

NHTSA complaint 10955304. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 100,000 miles

THE VEHICLE HAS ON-GOING "OIL CONSUMPTION" ISSUES THAT AMERICAN HONDA NEGLECTED TO ADDRESS. AS A RESULT, THE OIL GOES UP EXHAUST PIPES TO CAUSED ENGINE OVER HEAT AND BLOW UP DURING DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AMERICAN HONDA ISSUED AN "INTERNAL MEMO" TO EXTEND ENGINE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS WITHOUT NOTIFYING CAR OWNERS. HOWEVER, THEY FAILED TO COVER OUR BLEW-UP ENGINE WHEN THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AND CHARGED US $4600 FOR AN USED ENGINE. WITHIN 8 MONTHS, THE SECOND ENGINE BLEW UP AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. AMERICAN HONDA FINALLY COVERED THE SECOND ENGINE REPAIR. THE AMERICAN HONDA REJECTED TO REIMBURSE THE FIRST ENGINE BLOW-UP. THEY DENIED ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT THE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 8

NHTSA complaint 11043313, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 replacement with spark plugs. Last November I had 2 spark plugs replaced and my ignition coils. There was an ESB put out by Honda but I was not the current owner then so Honda doesn’t want to cover the cost. I also have contacted the dealership, that is not a certified reseller of Honda, mark Sweeney Buick of Cincinnati, Ohio but since I signed an As Is contract they stated they wouldn’t assist. The first week I got the car

NHTSA complaint 11700069, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 impression that my car was performing within normal limits. Finally in May 2023 the local Honda shop recommended the proper diagnostic test & told me about the known piston/oil consumption defect known to this model & the (expired) warranty extension that was associated with it. I returned end of Aug 2023 to get results of my oil consumption test, which was positive. At this time, they quoted me a repair cost (to

NHTSA complaint 11554741, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

102,000 miles

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 while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA complaint 11538658. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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 failed again (showing check engine light / stalling); repair shop found a misfire on cylinder #4, and all 8 of the spark plugs were replaced. Then on/about Nov./2022 (mileage at 71,988), the vehicle was running rough again (with check engine light on) and the repair shop found a miss in cylinder #4 again, and then replaced cylinder #4 spark plugs and coils. On/about Feb./2023, the vehicle had more problems (running

NHTSA complaint 11525650, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

92,000 miles

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 driven. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil change. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA complaint 11521510. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 time. Checkered Flag Honda in Virginia Beach, VA performed a TSB on it, and again two months ago, stating the exact same repair to be done each time. Now, it is displaying the very same symptoms I took it in for the first time, AGAIN. I will be uploading those reciepts as soon as I can find them tomorrow. After looking online, it is very obvious that I am not the only one with this same problem that could possibly

NHTSA complaint 11514718, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda Insight

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 31 3
2021 24 3
2020 31 6
2019 97 8
2012 59 8
2011 40 10
2010 119 10 2

Other 2013 Honda models

Every Honda on this site — 187 vehicles, 362 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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Independent developer and analyst