2001 Honda Insight: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern exterior lighting.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Low-beam headlights failed w/o warning or external cause. Worked one day but not the next morning. No obvious fuse or relay is the cause. Found that there was an inadequately designed switch that ws prone to failure by googling the failure, which hwas covered by a recall. Honda's website VIN search said there were no recalls for this car. Local dealer says recal was satisfied in 2010. Seems there is still an inadequately designed switch that can result in complete and sudden failure of the low beam headlights.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 honda insight. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed to operate properly. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04v086000 (exterior lighting) but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 honda insight. While driving 55 mph she smelled a chemical odor, and saw flames behind her. She pulled over and attempted to put out of the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. The entire interior of the vehicle was destroyed. . The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility, and was in the process of being inspected. The dealer was contacted and they will send someone out to take pictures of the vehicle damage. She speculated that battery failure caused the fire. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 100000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2009
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 honda insight. While examining the vehicle the contact noticed that the check engine light had appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the airbag needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings.the current and failure mileages were 55000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2008
“Cvt transmission failing at 51,000. Vehicle began small random shudders in the 40,000's... (like when you purchase cheap gasoline). Three days ago major prolonged shuddering at acceleration began, so that even though I had my foot on the accelerator the vehicle did not move forward in its usual manner. Luckily vehicles behind me were observing distance. Dealership diagnostic on 11/12/2004 revealed transmission problems. No action yet taken. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2004
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50mph, and shifting to 3rd gear the manual transmission slipped into 1st gear without warning which caused the engine to stall. The engine did not restart and was towed to the contact's home. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined the engine needed replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were not alerted.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004
“Vehicle experiences random events of power loss (ima battery recalibrating) that cause significant loss of engine power when needed (I.e. Accelerating to change lanes, climbing a steep hill, or starting to move forward after being stopped at a light) these events have been recognized by honda, but have been dismissed as "normal" events. However, these power loss events can come at times when loss of power can be dangerous. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2003
“When driving in the rain, vehicle will hydroplane(skid on a wet surface), which almost caused an accident due to loss of control of vehicle. . Ts jg *jb”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control · Nov 2002
“Consumer had the vehicle serviced prior to leaving for a trip, which included tire rotation. Soon after, consumer noticed the vehicle pulled slightly to the left. The vehicle was bumping, weaving and vibrating. A technician inspected the vehicle. The tires were separating and the steel belts were sticking out of the sides. *jg *dt”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2002
“While traveling at 35 mph and when making a sudden stop by depressing the brakes vehicle skidded out of control. Please provide further information.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2001
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOW-BEAM TERMINAL ON THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN OVERHEAT AND COULD CAUSE THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND ONE MATING PIN IN THE COUPLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Insight by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Honda Insight reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Honda Insight. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting.
Does the 2001 Honda Insight have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.