2011 Honda Insight Problems
Compared with other Honda Insight years
Typical for this model
55/100 1.1× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.1× that of a typical Honda Insight year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 8 of its 41 complaints were filed by the end of 2013.
- Most reported part: Air bags (28 complaints, median 42,000 mi).
- 10 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012, 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 22,700miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 10campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 40 mpgcombined, 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 39 city / 41 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Honda Insight (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2011 Honda Insight. The part named most often is air bags, with 28 complaints (68% of the total), followed by engine (5) and vehicle speed control (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 22,700 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 71 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 10 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 38 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Honda Insight model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 55 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Air bags28 68%
- Engine5 12%
- Vehicle speed control3 7.3%
- Seat belts2 4.9%
- Wheels2 4.9%
- Electrical system1 2.4%
- Exterior lighting1 2.4%
- Hybrid propulsion system1 2.4%
- Seats1 2.4%
- Steering1 2.4%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I got a notice that both airbags on my car were faulty and that Honda would fix them for free. The parts didn't come in for 3 or 4 months. I was commuting 400 miles a week for work and asked them to provide a rental car for me until then. They would furnish the car but I was responsible for the insurance on it. They told me to get it insured by my own personal auto insurance company. My insurance company told me they would not do that and neither would any other. …”
NHTSA complaint #10935002, filed 2016-12, 80,000 milesEngine: “Insight hybrid stopped at intersection--auto idle stop. Suddenly engine raced wildly, tachometer registered greater than 3000 r/min. My foot was firmly on brake, and I stopped the racing by shifting out of gear. It felt as if the car might lurch forward from a stop and cause a collision in the intersection. Happened again same day. Dealer said don't operate car in econ mode in city driving, even though that's why I bought a hybrid. Said floor mat might have interfered with accelerator--not true. Dealer not really sure of cause. I will get a second opinion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10628879, filed 2014-08, 25,400 milesVehicle speed control: “This morning (aug 6, 2016), myself and my dad met with an accident and was driving Honda Insight 2011 lx model. Note that my dad was sitting in the front passenger seat. Let me describe the accident. I was about to park my car in front of sprouts grocery store in the parking available spot just facing sprouts. So you can imagine that I was about to park my car and the speed was around 5mph. All of a sudden, I could feel my Insight engine experiencing sudden acceleration automatically and then I was trying to apply the leg brake to make sure it doesn't speed up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10895950, filed 2016-08, 42,000 milesSeat belts: “The contact owns a 2011 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, a vehicle crashed into the rear of her vehicle causing her to crash into a guard rail. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The seat belt did not lock and her head hit the steering wheel. The contact sustained a minor concussion and missing teeth. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 17,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10492915, filed 2013-01, 17,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
75% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,740 and 42,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 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 · hatchback FWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 11.3% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 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 | 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 39 | 41 | 40 | $1,700 |
| Insight FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 39 | 41 | 40 | $1,700 |
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
- 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Honda Insight 2010–2011, 2013, Ridgeline 2007–2014, Acura RL 2005–2010, 2012 +7 more
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…
- 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Honda Insight 2010–2014, Pilot 2009–2015, Civic 2006–2011 +10 more
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…
- 19V378000May 16, 2019Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Honda Insight 2010–2013, Pilot 2009–2015, Civic 2006–2011 +10 more
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…
- 18V661000Sep 27, 2018Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Honda Insight 2010–2014, Pilot 2010–2015, Crosstour 2010–2015 +7 more
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…
- 18V268000Apr 26, 2018Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Honda Insight 2010–2012, Civic 2001–2011, CR-V 2002–2011 +7 more
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012…
- 18V042000Jan 9, 2018Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Honda Insight 2010–2013, Fit 2009–2013, Pilot 2009–2013 +8 more
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…
See all 10 recalls for the 2011 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. 71 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11034201Jun 30, 2026Air bags. Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
- 11029283Feb 28, 2026Air bags. Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2007-11 CR-V and Other Listed Years and Models.
- 10237952Jun 13, 2023Electrical system. Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in a rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover occurred on January 1…
- 10206994Jan 29, 2022Equipment, Electrical system. ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on…
- 10187885Feb 26, 2021Brakes. 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…
- 10187292Feb 10, 2021Brakes. 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…
- 10186009Jan 23, 2021Equipment. "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
- 10186024Jan 22, 2021Brakes, Equipment. 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…
- 10185509Jan 6, 2021Brakes, Equipment. 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…
- 10184333Dec 10, 2020Brakes. 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…
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 2011 Honda Insight have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2011 Honda Insight as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Honda Insight is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 28 complaints (68% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2011 Honda Insight been recalled?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Honda Insight get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Honda Insight (Insight, 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 40 mpg combined, 39 city and 41 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Honda Insight reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 22,700 miles and the middle half falls between 16,740 and 42,000 miles; 75% 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.