RoadVitals

2012 Honda Insight

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
59
Latest Dec 18, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Jun 27, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 59 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Honda Insight, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and driver assistance categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 73 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine3660.0%
  • Airbags1118.3%
  • Driver assistance46.7%
  • Fuel system35.0%
  • Interior & seats23.3%
  • Powertrain (other)11.7%
  • Body & structure11.7%
  • Brakes11.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V502000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
9,555 units potentially affected
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.)Manufacturer number F5F, Q5EView on NHTSA.gov
19V378000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

May 16, 2019
19,138 units potentially affected
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.)Manufacturer number M4O, P4R, T4Q, W4PView on NHTSA.gov
18V661000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Sep 27, 2018
1,355,406 units potentially affected
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.)Manufacturer number M2J, S2KView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 59
Engine
Filed Dec 18, 2024

The car has only 83000 miles. We bought the vehicle 2 months ago from the estate of an individual that passed away. We were driving the vehicle and the gas pedal stopped working. Prior to this happening, we noticed no oil leak from the car. Per the manual we were checking oil level everytime we filled car up and would top it as it would be lower. We were driving the car on the highway and when we pressed on the gas pedal it stopped working, the car was not moving. Several lights came on the car, check engine etc. We took it to the dealership for a check and was told that the car needed a new engine at the tune of $17000. Honda Company stated that the car had no warranty on the engine and they would take no responsibility for failure. Was told engine block and piston 1 to 4 had misfire. No prior warning was given to us. The spark plugs for those pistons had melted the head.

NHTSA ID
11631368
Incident
Nov 18, 2024
Filed Sep 15, 2023

Roof and hood of car lost all paint and clear coat. Starting to rust

NHTSA ID
11544821
Incident
Sep 15, 2023
Engine
Filed Jan 9, 2023

Oil consumption issues. I can't drive my car 10 feet without dying. I was stuck in traffic when my car died from the issues. Look up TSB 15-015

NHTSA ID
11500790
Incident
Nov 19, 2022
Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Insight. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact stated that the check engine, emissions, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park near a gas station. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an oil consumption test to completed. The dealer informed the contact that the pistons needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11488064
Incident
Aug 1, 2022
Mileage
82,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2021

TTHIS CAR HAS SAFETY PROBLEMS BURNS OIL LIKE CRAZY , MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN 81 WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR WAS SHAKING SO SHE PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE POLICE WHO IMPOUNDED THE CAR 300 TO GET IT OUT THEN WE HAD IT TOWED OVER 100MILES . HONDA DEALER SAYS THE SPARK PLUG FAILED AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE . GETTING PRICES ON A NEW ENGINE .

NHTSA ID
11412853
Incident
Apr 15, 2021
Mileage
76,883 mi
Filed Mar 4, 2021

DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONS. CONTINUES TO LOCK ITSELF WHEN DRIVING, CONTINUES TO LOCK ITSELF WHEN SITTING AND CAR IS NOT RUNNING. ONGOING FOR MANY MONTHS. HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE, I'M OPTING TO DISCONNECT AND LIVE WITH MANUAL LOCKS.

NHTSA ID
11399106
Incident
Mar 3, 2021
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2020

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, MY CAR BEGAN FLUTTERING AFTER I STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEGAN ACCELERATING. THE POWER FELT REDUCED AS WELL. LIKE MOST PEOPLE'S FIRST INSTINCT, I BEGAN CHECKING THE OIL AND NOTICED THE OIL APPEARED LOW ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT I HAD RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE NOT LONG BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. SINCE THEN I'VE HEAD TO CHECK THE OIL INCESSANTLY AND AM CONSTANTLY ADDING OIL TO SUPPLEMENT. THEN I BERGEN NOTICING AN OIL LEAK IN MY DRIVE WAY AND ALMOST ANYTIME I PARKED SOMEWHERE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON TELLING ME TO CHECK THE VEHICLE'S EMISSIONS SYSTEM. THIS WAS AN ISSUE I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. NOW I REALIZE THIS MESSAGE IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FINAL STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK WAS, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING ENGINE POWER AND COULD NOT GET ABOVE 65 MPH. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING LOUD PUTTERING NOISES, THAT WERE ESPECIALLY INTENSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COSTING AND IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. MY FEAR IS THAT THE ENGINE IS SHOT AT THIS POINT. I'M EVEN MORE CONCERNED AFTER SEEING THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS OFF THIS YEAR - MAKE - MODEL. UNFORTUNATELY, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND HAVEN'T HAD IT EVEN A YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11374365
Incident
Nov 12, 2020
Mileage
130,200 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2019

THIS CAR IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE OIL CONSUMPTION IS OUTRAGEOUS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 89K MILES ON IT. IT ALSO BURNS THROUGH SPARK PLUGS LIKE CRAZY, I'VE PROBABLY PUT CLOSE TO 500 DOLLARS INTO IT AT LEAST JUST IN OIL AND SPARK PLUGS THIS YEAR ALONE. IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN STRANGE NEIGHBORHOODS, PARKING LOTS, AT MY JOB, AND AT MY HOME BECAUSE OF IT THROWING THE SPARK PLUGS WITH NO WARNING. UPON CHANGING THE PLUGS, ALL CYLINDERS, ESPECIALLY FOUR, ARE FILLED WITH OIL. MOST RECENTLY, I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT, AND REFILLED THE OIL. A WEEK LATER, I FOUND MYSELF REPEATING THE SAME PROCESS BECAUSE IT KILLED THE PLUGS AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION, IN TRAFFIC, AND HAD MY DASH LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE 2012 AND 2013 ENGINE CONTAINS EXPERIMENTAL PISTON RINGS, WHICH ARE CLEARLY FAULTY. NOT JUST BY MY OWN ACCOUNT, BUT BY COUNTLESS OTHERS AS WELL. I DO NOT HAVE FIVE GRAND TO REPLACE THE ENGINE OR HAVE IT REBUILT, AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO. HONDA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISTAKE AND SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES. THE CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL. THESE CARS ARE TICKING TIME BOMBS, I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THEM TO MY WORST ENEMY. I WILL BE FILING COMPLAINTS WITH HONDA ITSELF AS WELL AS THE BBB IN ADDITION TO THIS ONE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I SAW HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INSTEAD OF IGNORING IT AND LETTING HONDA GET AWAY WITH IT. IF IT DIED ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH IT ALMOST HAS, IT WOULD BECOME A SERIOUS THREAT TO MY SAFETY AND THOSE AROUND ME.

NHTSA ID
11269498
Incident
Oct 18, 2019
Mileage
89,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A18-048

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2007-11 CR-V and Other Listed Years and Models.

APaS02262021902

SERVICE BRAKES

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.

APaS02102021902

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.

A07-030

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"

APaS01222021909

EQUIPMENT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.

APaS01062021907

EQUIPMENT; SERVICE BRAKES

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Insight by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022313361.3
2021243365.7
2020316366.5
2019978368.3
2016000—
2015000—
2014531—
2013456160.3
2012Viewing598151.9
20114010156.1
201011910162.4
2006211—
2005201—
2004200—
2003301—
2002121137.8
2001152152.7
2000241036.1

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.