2000-2022 Honda Insight Problems: 9 Known Issues
2000-2022 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2000-2022 Honda Insight has 9 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are DC-DC Converter Shutdown (Loss of Drive Power) ($0-$0 repair), CVT Transmission Judder and Failure (Second Gen) ($150-$5,000 repair), Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall) ($0-$0 repair) and IMA Hybrid Battery Failure (First and Second Gen) ($400-$4,000 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 9 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls14 recalls
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Honda Insight problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2000-2022 Honda Insight has 9 documented issues. Documented issues include: DC-DC Converter Shutdown (Loss of Drive Power), CVT Transmission Judder and Failure (Second Gen), Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda Insight reliable?
The 2000-2022 Honda Insight has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 4 issues are rated critical: DC-DC Converter Shutdown (Loss of Drive Power) and CVT Transmission Judder and Failure (Second Gen) and Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall) and IMA Hybrid Battery Failure (First and Second Gen). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda Insight problems?
Repair costs for known Honda Insight issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, DC-DC Converter Shutdown (Loss of Drive Power), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What year Honda Insight is the most reliable?
Reliability varies across model years of the Honda Insight. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2000-2022 Honda Insight with 9 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
What is the 2020-2021 Honda Insight DC-DC Converter Shutdown (Loss of Drive Power)?
The 2020-2021 Honda Insight experiences DC-DC converter shutdowns that prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, resulting in loss of drive power. The power converter unit (PCU) software has a defect that causes the DC-DC converter to shut down unexpectedly. Symptoms include e… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2010-2014 Honda Insight CVT Transmission Judder and Failure (Second Gen)?
The 2010-2014 Honda Insight (second generation) CVT transmission experiences judder, shuddering, knocking noise during acceleration, and complete failure. Early CVT steel belt failures were identified. When CVT fails, the green "D" indicator on dash blinks. The transmission shudd… Repairs typically run $150-$5,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2020, 2022 Honda Insight Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall)?
Certain 2019-2020 and 2022 Honda Insights (third generation) are recalled for fuel pump failure. The fuel pump impeller was improperly molded (low density), causing it to deform over time and interfere with the fuel pump body, rendering it inoperative. Symptoms include engine sta… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2000-2006, 2010-2014 Honda Insight IMA Hybrid Battery Failure (First and Second Gen)?
First- and second-generation Honda Insights (2000-2006, 2010-2014) experience IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid battery failures, typically between 75,000-175,000 miles (8-15 years). Symptoms include IMA warning light, reduced fuel economy, lack of electric assist, poor accele… Repairs typically run $400-$4,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2010-2014 Honda Insight Ground Cable Internal Corrosion (No Start)?
The 2010-2014 Honda Insight (second generation) has ground cables that corrode from the inside, preventing the vehicle from starting. There are three ground cables prone to corrosion: (1) between battery and firewall, (2) between left side and transmission, (3) between left side… Repairs typically run $50-$200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2020 Honda Insight Body Control Module Communication Errors (BCM)?
The 2019-2020 Honda Insight (third generation) experiences body control module (BCM) software errors causing communication disruptions between BCM and other components. This results in malfunctions of windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, and exterior lights. Honda issue… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
What is the 2000-2006 Honda Insight Check Engine Light for Catalytic Converter, Free ECM Update on 2002-06 (First Gen)?
First-generation Insights (2000-2006) can show a check engine light for the catalytic converter system. These cars use two catalysts: a regular 3-way catalytic converter and a NOx-adsorptive 3-way catalyst. In July 2007 Honda issued product update 07-036 for 2002-06 Insights. It… Repairs typically run $400-$2,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2000-2006 Honda Insight EGR Valve and EGR Plate Carbon Buildup (Lean-Burn Engine)?
On the first-generation Honda Insight (2000-2006) with the lean-burn engine, carbon builds up in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. Both the EGR valve and the EGR plate collect carbon. A retrospective on the car says the lean-burn system "created massive carbon issues wi… Repairs typically run $20-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2010-2014 Honda Insight Rear Suspension Clunking (Shock Absorber Failure)?
The 2010-2014 Honda Insight (second generation) experiences rear suspension clunking and noise over bumps and rough roads. The rear shock absorbers fail prematurely due to the excess weight of the hybrid battery in the rear. The clunking is most noticeable over speed bumps and po… Repairs typically run $200-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.