2013 Honda Insight: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 45 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (55% of complaints); the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2023
“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 was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil change. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2022
“So my 2013 honda insight has always consumed oil. I drove from idaho to utah stopped at the store when I started my vehicle up my display has check vsa, check hill start assist system, and check tpms. I tried driving away from the store to get to honda and it loses all power and barley moves. Kinda like a safe mode and does this every time I start my car.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Mar 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“Traveling 65mph on highway with cruise control on. Lost power and check engine light came on. I pulled to the shoulder, engine continued to run, but would not accelerate. Turned car off and back on and multiple check messages displayed. I had car towed to local honda dealer shop. They informed me spark plugs needed to be replaced. I agreed, but next day they called to tell me the entire engine needed to be replaced. Honda has extended the engine warranty, but no one from dealer mentioned that. They wanted more for new engine than the car is worth.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 honda insight. While accelerating from a stop, the accelerator pedal had to be depressed with force for the vehicle to accelerate. Also, the vehicle emitted a metal rattling noise and the engine was losing oil prematurely. The contact believed that the engine losing oil may have caused the vehicle to lose acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 honda insight. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled and all the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced and more oil was added to the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was burning excessive oil and more oil was needed every 1,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to altoona honda (201 valley view blvd, altoona, pa 16602, (814) 944-4517) where an oil consumption test was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,276.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 honda insight. While driving 73 mph, the vehicle decelerated and shut off. The contact could not coast the vehicle and let it veer off to the shoulder. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to vandergriff honda (1104 w interstate 20, arlington, tx 76017, (817) 533-4266), but they stated that they could not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,514.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“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.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 honda insight. Upon inspection, the contact noticed an abnormally low oil level after driving 2,000 miles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to winter honda (3850 century ct, pittsburg, ca) where it was confirmed that the vehicle consumed an abnormal amount of oil. The dealer stated that there were no further actions that could be taken at that time due to the consumption being less than one quart every 1,000 miles. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.) 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.
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.) 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 humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.) 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 (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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 or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 2013 Honda Insight reliable?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Honda Insight. The most complained-about area is engine (55% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Insight problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,021 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Honda Insight have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. 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.