2002 Honda Insight Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 101,839miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 53 mpgcombined, 1.0L 3-cyl · hybrid FWD · 48 city / 59 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Honda Insight (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2002 Honda Insight. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 8 complaints (67% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and tires (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 101,839 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 24 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 7 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 lighting8 67%
- Electrical system2 17%
- Tires1 8.3%
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “While driving on the freeway my low beams went out... Smoke was coming out from the steering wheel... Conducted research and found this recall: id 04v086000 from feb, 24 2004. Called Honda and they mentioned that there is no problem with this issue. This is the second time it happens to me. First time I took it to a regular mechanic that replaced the switch... This time I am also paying for it. I think there is something wrong with the harness...”
NHTSA complaint #10217001, filed 2008-02Electrical system: “Battery is discharging within 18 hours of driving. The manual/instruction booklet does not allow the consumer to understand the limit of driving distance when traveling long distances. This is a gas operated vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10042209, filed 2003-10Transmission and drivetrain: “Car started juddering and loosing power. I took the car to the dealer because there was a judder recall . After getting the car back, transmission is not working correctly. Contacted american Honda and they mentioned to me that the flywheel had grease and had to be replaced. American Honda denied my claim to get this covered. Cvt transmission is skipping, juddering and fails to deliver power correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #10217002, filed 2008-02, 87,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 95,000 and 104,321 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 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 2002 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 | 59 | 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.
Recall details for the 2002 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. 24 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, 2013Fuel system, Engine cooling. 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.
- 10041726Oct 11, 2011Electrical system. Honda: mil will come if 3-way catalytic converter or nox adsorptive 3-way catalyst is deteriorated due to sensor inputs being misinterpret by software.
- 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 2002 Honda Insight have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2002 Honda Insight as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Honda Insight is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 8 complaints (67% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 2002 Honda Insight been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Honda Insight get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Honda Insight (Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl · hybrid) at 53 mpg combined, 48 city and 59 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 2002 Honda Insight reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 101,839 miles and the middle half falls between 95,000 and 104,321 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.