2020 Honda Insight

On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the AEB system and its limitations. However, many consumer complaints received by ODI allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that Honda dealerships informed the consumer that this is considered normal AEB operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 106 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in the subject vehicles.In total, ODI reviewed 475 reports involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. Of the reports reviewed by ODI, three (3) allege a crash caused by the inadvertent activation of AEB and two (2) allege injury. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. Further, the scope of the investigation is being expanded to include assessment of model year 2023 Honda Passport vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the AEB system and its limitations. However, many consumer complaints received by ODI allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that Honda dealerships informed the consumer that this is considered normal AEB operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 106 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in the subject vehicles.In total, ODI reviewed 475 reports involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. Of the reports reviewed by ODI, three (3) allege a crash caused by the inadvertent activation of AEB and two (2) allege injury. This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA25002) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. Further, the scope of the Engineering Analysis is being expanded to include assessment of model year 2023 Honda Passport vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.

I was driving to Pilates class and everything was normal but as I reached a railroad crossing the car suddenly and for no reason stopped dead on the tracks. Luckily for me there were no vehicles in front or behind me and there were no trains coming. I was terrified and wasn’t sure what to do but I pushed the Drive button and the vehicle went ahead as if nothing happened.

NHTSA ID

11754308

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

The vehicle unintentionally accelerated while pulling into a parking space. I was depressing the brake to slow down while making the right turn into the space. The engine suddenly revved up (as though you were depressing the gas and brake at the same time) and it accelerated forward (a though you suddenly released the brake while depressing the gas pedal) and the car lept forward, jumping a 3 foot long curb, striking the vehicle parked in front of me. The tires kept spinning as though the gas pedal was being depressed, even though the vehicle could no longer make any forward progress since it had run into the front of the vehicle parked in front of me. We’re it not for the vehicle in front, I feel that the car would have continued accelerating forward and could have caused injury or death to customers in the shopping center and/or damage to other vehicles or structures. The vehicle was towed and is currently in the body shop for repairs, but I don’t think this addresses my concern for the sudden acceleration. I don’t want to drive it in case the problem reoccurs and could cause further damage. I’ve reached out to Honda to see if I can tow the vehicle to their service repair center to try to diagnose the problem by reading data from the car’s computer, but they have not responded. I checked the floor mats and they were flat and properly installed. If I had mistakenly depressed the gas pedal (not likely as I was already braking as I approached the parking space), I would have thought that the collision avoidance system would have braked the vehicle. Airbags also did not deploy in either vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11747521

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

At approximately 148,000 miles the steering would have an intermittent notchy, or sticky, feeling while driving straight. While driving straight at cruising speed, I noticed that the resistance on the left side of the steering wheel was greater than the right side, then the resistance would decrease suddenly (release), and the steering wheel would rotate slightly to the right, but less than 1 degree, so it would be hardly noticeable on video. The issue seems to only present itself after the vehicle is driven 20-40 minutes and when the temperature is 47 degrees or higher. I have noticed it at low speed (15-20mph) and at highway speeds. If I recall correctly, the issue first presented itself when we had our first 60 degree day and I was driving on the highway with the wheel straight. Then as I accumulated miles throughout the weeks, I would notice that it didn't happen on colder days but then happened more often on warmer days. Now that the vehicle has ~148,800 miles on it, and the air temperature is 67 degrees, the issue presented itself this morning (4/1/2026) after 3 minutes of driving and during the first sweeping left turn on my commute and at approximately 40 mph. Then the issue continued to happen throughout the drive, eventually becoming nearly constant by the end of the 45-minute commute. I do have an appointment with the Honda dealer for diagnosis, but the service advisor and I suspect that the steering rack is failing.

NHTSA ID

11728435

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Battery keeps draining. On my 3rd battery and believe there’s a defect in the DC/DC converter (earlier recall - K9E). This has caused issues being stranded in the cold.

NHTSA ID

11714605

Incident

Jan 27, 2026

This 2020 Honda Insight performed “phantom braking” of the automated braking system when I was about to enter a clear intersection with no vehicles or obstacles in front of me. It activated the automated braking system and endangered my life and the lives of others over no real threat. This occurred 08/23/2025. The car is well maintained and does not have any service issues. This was completely random.

NHTSA ID

11682568

Incident

Aug 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. During the failure, the brakes failed to function as intended, and the Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and Forward Collision Avoidance features failed to function as intended. The failure was intermittent. During the first failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted after several minutes and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with battery failure. The dealer also determined that the brake pedal simulator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA ID

11675716

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

Mileage

18,000 mi

I was driving home from vacation when my engine splash plate came loose from my car on the interstate. The splash plate fell down and dragged on highway creating friction under my car. The metal had fallen down and was chipping away creating dangerous debris to my car and other cars on the highway. Roadside service was no help, per usual. I was traveling alone. The splash plate had to be removed entirely to prevent a fire and more damage to my car. I couldn’t remove the splash plate on the side of the interstate. I drove 30-40 mph to get help to prevent further damage or loss of property and my life.

NHTSA ID

11671578

Incident

Jul 6, 2025

I was driving down the highway, with no one in front of me, and my car alerted BRAKE and brought my car from 70 to an almost complete stop. This jerked myself and my passenger and caused a heat mark from the seat belt on my collar bone. It has done it multiple times since then. I'm terrified to be in traffic and for it to do this. This is most definitely putting my safety at risk, and the safety of others. I have not taken it to the dealership yet.

NHTSA ID

11641019

Incident

Nov 4, 2024

Service Bulletin - The ACC system error message comes on while driving when outside temperatures are low/near freezing due to snow and ice getting stuck to the front of the millimeter wave radar. This can cause DTC P2583-76 (Temporary stop of Integrated Driver Support System [Misalignment Millimeter Wave Radar]) to be stored.

Service News - If an Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem comes back on when the vehicle is driven in freezing conditions, inform the customer it is likely due to snow or ice buildup on the radar. Advise the customer of the following procedure to clean the front grille where the radar is located.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all 2018-2022 Accord Hybrids, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrids & 2019-2022 Insights that match the criteria listed below. Qualifiers AHM is interested ONLY if the vehicle meets the following requirements: 1. Manufactured date on the Driver’s door jamb must be between 1/2019 & 9/2021. 2. No DTC stored. 3. Electric Servo Brake (ESB) system has not been replaced previously.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all 2018-2022 Accord Hybrids, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrids & 2019-2022 Insights that match the criteria listed below. Qualifiers AHM is interested ONLY if the vehicle meets the following requirements: 1. Manufactured date on the Driver’s door jamb must be between 1/2019 & 9/2021. 2. No DTC stored. 3. Electric Servo Brake (ESB) system has not been replaced previously.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all 2018-2022 Accord Hybrids, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrids & 2019-2022 Insights that match the criteria listed below. Qualifiers AHM is interested ONLY if the vehicle meets the following requirements: 1. Manufactured date on the Driver’s door jamb must be between 1/2019 & 9/2021. 2. No DTC stored. 3. Electric Servo Brake (ESB) system has not been replaced previously.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all 2018-2022 Accord Hybrids, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrids & 2019-2022 Insights that match the criteria listed below. AHM is interested ONLY if the vehicle meets the following requirements: 1. Manufactured date on the Driver’s door jamb must be between 1/2019 & 9/2021. 2. No DTC stored. 3. Electric Servo Brake (ESB) system has not been replaced previously.