2001 Honda Insight Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 53 mpgcombined, 1.0L 3-cyl · hybrid FWD · 48 city / 60 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Honda Insight (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2001 Honda Insight. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting4 27%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Engine cooling2 13%
- Air bags1 6.7%
- Brakes1 6.7%
- Steering1 6.7%
- Body and structure1 6.7%
- Tires1 6.7%
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “Both my low beams failed simultaneously while driving, but high beams still work. I confirmed that there is no power being sent to the low beams. This vehicle had a recall for 2000-2002 model years for exact issue. American Honda, and the local Honda dealer tell me my VIN# is off by 1 month (within same model year associated with recall), so it's not under recall. They told me further diagnosis and repair would be at my expense. …”
NHTSA complaint #10594214, filed 2014-05, 150,000 milesElectrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10039188, filed 2003-09, 78,000 milesEngine cooling: “Monday morning I had an appointment to bring my cat to the vet. I put her in a pet carrier and put the carrier in my 2001 Honda Insight with the pet door facing forward. I got on the 101 n. In los angeles and had driven only a few miles when I smelled a strong chemical odor. Thinking the smell was coming perhaps from another vehicle I continued. Then my door open light came on and the car filled with a thick smoke. I looked behind me and saw flames coming from below and behind the cat carrier. I quickly pulled across the highway luckily there was an exit with a very short exit ramp. …”
NHTSA complaint #10293334, filed 2009-11, 107 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10098794, filed 2004-11, 51,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
17% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,000 and 143,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Honda Insight. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insight · coupe | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 Honda Insight version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insight FWD | 1.0L 3-cyl · hybrid | 5-speed manual | 48 | 60 | 53 | $1,250 |
| Insight FWD | 1.0L 3-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 45 | 49 | 47 | $1,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V086000Feb 24, 2004Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Honda Insight 2000–2002, Civic 2001–2002
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.
- 02V196000Jul 24, 2002Air bags › FrontalCovers: Honda Insight 2001, Acura Integra 2001
On certain passenger vehicles, some of the passenger air bag modules were not properly welded and may not deploy in a collision.
Recall details for the 2001 Honda Insight → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 22 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186009Jan 23, 2021Equipment. "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
- 10107371Jul 2, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Service news article - planning on using a leak check dye to help find a leak? Heres the current list of vehicles that you shouldnt use dye on.
- 10128531Aug 6, 2014Air bags. Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry…
- 10128559Jul 23, 2014Air bags. Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins…
- 10053545Aug 9, 2013Engine cooling, Fuel system. Honda: troubleshooting of diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p1456 and p1457. Dealers are to run evap function test to find if there is a leak so the vehicle can be repaired.
- 10024567Dec 8, 2012Electrical system. Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: insight ima battery module. Csc was received. *nj updated 3/8/13.
- 10051966Dec 1, 2012Body and structure. Honda: product update for a manufacturing problem with the roof molding may allow the roof molding to come loose.
- 10040496Aug 6, 2011Transmission and drivetrain. Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. 2001 insight with cvt. There is a software update.
- 10038350Mar 16, 2011Electrical system. Honda: see document search button for owner letter. Battery system light comes on with trouble codes stored. *rm models 2000-2004 insight. Updted 5/14/13.
- 10026884Aug 6, 2008Electrical system. Honda: hybrid batteries can be affected and damaged by excessively high temperatures.
Other model years of the Honda Insight
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33 | 42,500 | 3 | 5 | 52 | 44 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 25 | 4,250 | 3 | 5 | 52 | 44 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 31 | 5,750 | 6 | 5 | 52 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 99 | 19,600 | 8 | 5 | 52 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 5 | 10,000 | 3 | — | 41 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 45 | 60,000 | 6 | — | 41 | 29 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 59 | 69,000 | 8 | — | 41 | 19 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 41 | 22,700 | 10 | — | 40 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 119 | 40,000 | 10 | — | 41 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2002 | 12 | 101,839 | 1 | — | 53 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 15 | 69,000 | 2 | — | 53 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 24 | 51,000 | 1 | — | 53 | — | Stable |
All Honda Insight model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Honda Insight have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2001 Honda Insight as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Honda Insight is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 2001 Honda Insight been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Honda Insight get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Honda Insight (Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl · hybrid) at 53 mpg combined, 48 city and 60 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Honda Insight reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,000 miles and the middle half falls between 51,000 and 143,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.