2013 Honda Insight problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (24) · Power Train (7) · Air Bags (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Insight model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2019-06-27 · campaign 19V500000 · 1,558 vehicles
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 hu
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-06-27 · campaign 19V502000 · 9,555 vehicles
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 p
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-05-16 · campaign 19V378000 · 19,138 vehicles
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-09-27 · campaign 18V661000 · 1,355,406 vehicles
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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V042000 · 691,726 vehicles
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 (Sai
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-03 · campaign 16V061000 · 2,232,187 vehicles
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (61)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2026-02-28 · A18-048 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - warranty extension: customer support program for driver's airbag inflator for 2007-11 cr-v and other listed years and models.
Service Brakes 2021-02-26 · APaS02262021902 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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, ah
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2021-02-10 · APaS02102021902 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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, ah
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2021-01-23 · A07-030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"service bulletin - there are several a/c leak detection tools available. -refrigerant gas leak detector -ultrasonic leak detector -leak dye"
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2021-01-22 · APaS01222021909 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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, ah
Service Brakes 2021-01-06 · APaS01062021907 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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, ah
Showing the 6 most recent of 61 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-18 · 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 …”
2023-11-12 · 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…”
2023-08-15 · Power Train · 102,000 mi“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 indepe…”
2023-06-06 · 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…”
2023-05-11 · Engine · 92,000 mi“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 w…”
2023-03-31 · Power Train“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, …”
2022-08-30 · Engine“2013 honda insight hybrid lx (4 cylinder) vehicle purchased on 8/19/14. thanks this complaint is was filed to due engine oil consumption on my honda-hybrid. in 2020 my car began losing oil quite frequently as i was having to add or change the oil often. on 8/27/21 i took the vehicle to honda of downtown los angeles, kesean zachary informed me they …”
2021-12-09 · Engine“we were driving our honda in a 70mph zone and the car's speed suddenly dropped to 15mph. we were not able to drive any faster than 15mph and could have been killed while driving on a highway where other cars were driving at 70mph, or we could have caused a pile up of cars with multiple accidents. we were very lucky that we were able to pull over …”
2020-10-08 · Visibility/Wiper · 60,000 mi“the visor on the drivers side will not stay up. it falls down and obstructs the drivers view. even when it is pushed all the way forward, it drops back and obstructs the view. it started drooping a few years ago, but now has completely fallen. looking online, there are a lot of reports of this happening to other honda owners.…”
2020-06-07 · Engine · 93,000 mi“progressive increase in loss of motor oil for the past 12 months. i have to add 1 quart of 0w-20 valvoline synthetic motor oil every 2 weeks! dark smoke coming out exhaust with acceleration. knocking sound from the motor observed. i used to have honda accord and never had this problem.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.