2011 Honda Insight Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Honda Insight, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags2856.0%
- Engine48.0%
- Other / unspecified36.0%
- Driver assistance36.0%
- Seat belts36.0%
- Interior & seats12.0%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Body & structure12.0%
- Powertrain (other)12.0%
- Visibility12.0%
- Steering12.0%
- Suspension12.0%
- Tires & wheels12.0%
- Electrical12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL - PARTS TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE!
I GOT A NOTICE THAT BOTH AIRBAGS ON MY CAR WERE FAULTY AND THAT HONDA WOULD FIX THEM FOR FREE. THE PARTS DIDN'T COME IN FOR 3 OR 4 MONTHS. I WAS COMMUTING 400 MILES A WEEK FOR WORK AND ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR ME UNTIL THEN. THEY WOULD FURNISH THE CAR BUT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSURANCE ON IT. THEY TOLD ME TO GET IT INSURED BY MY OWN PERSONAL AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT AND NEITHER WOULD ANY OTHER. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THE $20.00 A DAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR INSURANCE I HAD TO JUST TAKE MY CHANCES OF SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IN THE EVENT OF MY AIRBAGS GOING OFF. MY 82 YEAR OLD MOTHER RODE IN THAT CAR TO HER DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND THE GROCERY. WE BOTH HAVE COPD AND I HAVE A PACEMAKER. THE STRESS THE SITUATION CAUSED WAS STAGGERING AND CERTAINLY NOT GOOD FOR EITHER OF US. WHAT GOOD DID IT DO FOR HONDA TO INFORM ME OF THE RECALL IF THEY COULDN'T FIX IT RIGHT AWAY AND WOULD NOT PAY THE INSURANCE SO I COULD GET A RENTAL CAR? I GUESS THE SICK AND ELDERLY DON'T MATTER TO A BIG COMPANY LIKE HONDA.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 21 OCT 2020, WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT STEADY SPEED USING CRUISE CONTROL ON LEVEL GROUND. ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. LIMPED OFF HIGHWAY, UNABLE TO EXCEED 20 MPH. ERRATIC IDLE. CEL, CHECK EMISSIONS AND CHECK VSA DISPLAYED ON DRIVER'S INFORMATION DISPLAY. OCCURRED AT 147523. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER AND GUIDES, ALL SPARK PLUGS, AND NEW PISTONS AND RINGS AS A RESULT OF OBSERVING OIL ON SPARK PLUGS. LAST OIL CHANGE OCCURRED AT 140940 MILES. I DECLINED REPAIRS AS COST EXCEEDED REMAINING VALUE OF CAR.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO ODI # 10628879, CREATED IN AUG. 2014. INSIGHT HYBRID IS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION--AUTO IDLE STOP. SUDDENLY ENGINE RACES WILDLY, TACHOMETER REGISTERS GREATER THAN 3,000 R/MIN. USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND FIRST 3-5 MILES OF DRIVING. IF I MY FOOT WOULD SLIP OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD, CREATING A RISK OF A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THE HONDA DEALER SPECULATED THAT THE WEATHERTECH FLOOR MAT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AGREED WITH THIS HYPOTHESIS. I CHOPPED OFF A LARGE PIECE OF THE FLOOR MAT FROM UNDER THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT RECENTLY HAS RESUMED. SO THE FLOOR MAT IS NOT THE CAUSE. BECAUSE THE RACING STILL OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY FROM TIME TO TIME, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. BUT HONDA CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
INSIGHT HYBRID STOPPED AT INTERSECTION--AUTO IDLE STOP. SUDDENLY ENGINE RACED WILDLY, TACHOMETER REGISTERED GREATER THAN 3000 R/MIN. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON BRAKE, AND I STOPPED THE RACING BY SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR. IT FELT AS IF THE CAR MIGHT LURCH FORWARD FROM A STOP AND CAUSE A COLLISION IN THE INTERSECTION. HAPPENED AGAIN SAME DAY. DEALER SAID DON'T OPERATE CAR IN ECON MODE IN CITY DRIVING, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT A HYBRID. SAID FLOOR MAT MIGHT HAVE INTERFERED WITH ACCELERATOR--NOT TRUE. DEALER NOT REALLY SURE OF CAUSE. I WILL GET A SECOND OPINION. DO NOT FEEL SAFE UNTIL A PLAUSIBLE CAUSE IS DETERMINED. IF THE ECON MODE CAN CAUSE UNCONTROLLED ENGINE RACING THEN HONDA SHOULD GIVE CUSTOMERS A WARNING. *TR
I BROUGHT NEW VEHICLE IN 2011, BUT SHOWING FAST TIRE WEAR, EVEN AFTER MAINTAINING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. IT IS JUST HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY CAR IN LAST 2 AND HALF YEARS. DEALER IS ASKING TO REPLACE TIRES WHICH WILL COST $400 FOR FOUR TIRES. IT IS EXTRA COST TO CONSUMER. I ALSO HAVE VEHICLE PROTECTION PLAN BUT THEY DON'T COVER TIRES. I CHECK ONLINE AND SAW LOTS OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR FAST TIRE WEAR FOR HONDA INSIGHT. WITH MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEW TIRE SHOULD LAST FOR 35K. PLEASE NOTE DOWN MY COMPLAINT ABOUT HONDA INSIGHT. HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE ORIGINAL TIRES OR GIVE ADVANCE NOTICE FOR THE LIFE OF TIRE. THANK YOU, *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS MORNING (AUG 6, 2016), MYSELF AND MY DAD MET WITH AN ACCIDENT AND WAS DRIVING HONDA INSIGHT 2011 LX MODEL. NOTE THAT MY DAD WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LET ME DESCRIBE THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS GROCERY STORE IN THE PARKING AVAILABLE SPOT JUST FACING SPROUTS. SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR AND THE SPEED WAS AROUND 5MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I COULD FEEL MY INSIGHT ENGINE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE LEG BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T SPEED UP. SUDDENLY, THE INSIGHT STARTED SPEEDING UP AND DIDN'T STOP EVEN AFTER SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE AND IT JUMPED ON THE PARKING CURB AND FINALLY HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS RESULTING IN DEPLOYING THE DRIVER AIR-BAG AND THE PASSENGER AIR-BAGS. MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A DEEP CRACK AND I BELIEVE MY CAR IS GOING TO BE TOTALLED. WITH THAT, IT DIDN'T STOP, AFTER HITTING SO HARD THE CONCRETE WALL, REMEMBER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE AND NOT IN REVERSE MODE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS AND EVEN DIDN'T STOP AFTER SLAMMING ON THE LEG BRAKE. THEN I CAME OUT OF THE SHOCK AND APPLIED MY HAND BRAKE AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE CAR MOVING BACKWARDS. LUCKILY, THIS CRASH DIDN'T CAUSE ANY BODILY INJURY TO ANY THIRD PARTIES BUT I HAD SOME BRUISES ON MY RIGHT ARM DEVELOPED DUE TO SOME METAL PIECES FROM THE TAKATA AIR-BAG.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO ODI # 10628879, CREATED IN AUG. 2014. INSIGHT HYBRID IS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION--AUTO IDLE STOP. SUDDENLY ENGINE RACES WILDLY, TACHOMETER REGISTERS GREATER THAN 3,000 R/MIN. USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND FIRST 3-5 MILES OF DRIVING. IF I MY FOOT WOULD SLIP OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD, CREATING A RISK OF A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THE HONDA DEALER SPECULATED THAT THE WEATHERTECH FLOOR MAT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AGREED WITH THIS HYPOTHESIS. I CHOPPED OFF A LARGE PIECE OF THE FLOOR MAT FROM UNDER THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT RECENTLY HAS RESUMED. SO THE FLOOR MAT IS NOT THE CAUSE. BECAUSE THE RACING STILL OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY FROM TIME TO TIME, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. BUT HONDA CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR CONCUSSION AND MISSING TEETH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR SEAT BELTS STUCK BETWEEN THE SEAT PLASTIC COVER CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE LOOSE AND UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE CHILD CAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, WHO WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEADRESTS PUSH MY HEAD SO FAR FORWARD THAT MY NECK AND SHOULDER/BACK MUSCLES TIGHTEN UP AND CAUSE PAIN. *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTING FOR THE VEHICLE WAS INADEQUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM ADJUSTED WHICH FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS WERE IN A TUBE AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM HAVING ADEQUATE SIDE VIEWING WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SAFETY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BAR THAT RUNS PARALLEL ON THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE. MOST DRIVERS FEEL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD, CAUSE IT DISTORTS THEIR VIEW. THE BAR MAKES THE REAR WINDOW VIEWING AREA SMALL, WHICH MAKES IT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR OLDER DRIVERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS MORNING (AUG 6, 2016), MYSELF AND MY DAD MET WITH AN ACCIDENT AND WAS DRIVING HONDA INSIGHT 2011 LX MODEL. NOTE THAT MY DAD WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LET ME DESCRIBE THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS GROCERY STORE IN THE PARKING AVAILABLE SPOT JUST FACING SPROUTS. SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR AND THE SPEED WAS AROUND 5MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I COULD FEEL MY INSIGHT ENGINE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE LEG BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T SPEED UP. SUDDENLY, THE INSIGHT STARTED SPEEDING UP AND DIDN'T STOP EVEN AFTER SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE AND IT JUMPED ON THE PARKING CURB AND FINALLY HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS RESULTING IN DEPLOYING THE DRIVER AIR-BAG AND THE PASSENGER AIR-BAGS. MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A DEEP CRACK AND I BELIEVE MY CAR IS GOING TO BE TOTALLED. WITH THAT, IT DIDN'T STOP, AFTER HITTING SO HARD THE CONCRETE WALL, REMEMBER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE AND NOT IN REVERSE MODE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS AND EVEN DIDN'T STOP AFTER SLAMMING ON THE LEG BRAKE. THEN I CAME OUT OF THE SHOCK AND APPLIED MY HAND BRAKE AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE CAR MOVING BACKWARDS. LUCKILY, THIS CRASH DIDN'T CAUSE ANY BODILY INJURY TO ANY THIRD PARTIES BUT I HAD SOME BRUISES ON MY RIGHT ARM DEVELOPED DUE TO SOME METAL PIECES FROM THE TAKATA AIR-BAG.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SAFETY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BAR THAT RUNS PARALLEL ON THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE. MOST DRIVERS FEEL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD, CAUSE IT DISTORTS THEIR VIEW. THE BAR MAKES THE REAR WINDOW VIEWING AREA SMALL, WHICH MAKES IT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR OLDER DRIVERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,740 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,742.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD MY 2011 HONDA INSIGHT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND LOST CONTROL IN THE SNOW AT ABOUT 25 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. MY FRONT RIGHT SIDE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND WAS FIXED BY HONDA, AND PAID FOR BY MY INSURANCE. IT TURNED OUT THAT MY FRONT TIRES WE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AT ABOUT 16,000 MILES. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BAD SET OF TIRES, BUT ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER, DURING AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD MY TIRES WERE WORN OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY WENT FOR ABOUT 17,000 MILES. I CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T "WARRANTY TIRES". HOWEVER, THEY CHOSE THE TIRES AND YOU CAN'T DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT THE TIRES. FIRSTLY, IT'S UNSAFE TO PUT TIRES THAT ERODE SO QUICKLY ONTO CARS. SECONDLY, ANY SAVINGS ONE GETS WITH DECREASED FUEL USAGE IS COMPLETELY OBLITERATED BY HAVING TO REPLACE TIRES, DITTO WITH PETROLEUM PRODUCT SAVINGS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BROUGHT NEW VEHICLE IN 2011, BUT SHOWING FAST TIRE WEAR, EVEN AFTER MAINTAINING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. IT IS JUST HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY CAR IN LAST 2 AND HALF YEARS. DEALER IS ASKING TO REPLACE TIRES WHICH WILL COST $400 FOR FOUR TIRES. IT IS EXTRA COST TO CONSUMER. I ALSO HAVE VEHICLE PROTECTION PLAN BUT THEY DON'T COVER TIRES. I CHECK ONLINE AND SAW LOTS OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR FAST TIRE WEAR FOR HONDA INSIGHT. WITH MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEW TIRE SHOULD LAST FOR 35K. PLEASE NOTE DOWN MY COMPLAINT ABOUT HONDA INSIGHT. HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE ORIGINAL TIRES OR GIVE ADVANCE NOTICE FOR THE LIFE OF TIRE. THANK YOU, *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HONDA INSIGHT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WILL BE AT THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE HAS A LARGE STARTING BATTERY THAT CHARGES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THE BATTERY MAY NOT LAST, IF THE DEALER ONLY STARTS THE VEHICLE ONCE A WEEK. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .