2012 Honda Insight Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2012 Honda Insight most often describe excessive oil consumption, with low oil levels and check-emissions warnings, and the complaints often link this to fouled spark plugs, stalls, and loss of power. Air bag recall repairs for Takata inflators are also reported as delayed by parts shortages, and some owners describe unexpected acceleration or an unresponsive accelerator. Where mileage is given, it spans a wide range, from about 3,500 to about 136,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption and low oil level

   • 37 complaints (63%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $8,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners report the engine using large amounts of oil, often needing to add oil between changes, and in some cases finding the level well below the dipstick mark. Complaints often describe a check emissions or engine warning light, and some say the oil warning did not alert them before the oil was very low. Owners say dealers ran oil consumption tests, and that the result was sometimes described as acceptable while the car still needed frequent top-ups. Some report that piston rings or pistons were recommended for replacement, and that a warranty repair of the piston rings did not solve the problem. Where mileage is given, it falls between 3,500 and 136,113 miles, and some complaints describe the oil running low again within a few weeks of service.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level on the dipstick at the start and during a test drive, and ask for the records of oil checks and any oil consumption tests. Ask the dealer whether the oil consumption warranty extension applies to the VIN, and whether any piston or ring work is documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tthis car has safety problems burns oil like crazy , my daughter was driving down 81 when the dash lights came on the car was shaking so she pulled over and called the police who impounded the car 300 to get it out then we had it towed over 100miles . Honda dealer says the spark plug failed and went into the engine . Getting prices on a new engine .”

   NHTSA complaint #11412853, filed 2021-04, 76,883 miles

   “The spark plugs failed during driving on the highway resulting in a dangerous situation. I later learned that the spark plugs failed because 2 of the cylinders were burning excessive oil. Honda has recalled this car due to excessive oil consumption but has refused to reimbursement me after I had the car repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #10993501, filed 2017-06, 84,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalling or power loss, often with fouled spark plugs

   • 23 complaints (39%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $8,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners report the engine stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with warning lights on and the car needing to be towed or coasted to the side of the road. Spark plugs are described as fouling, burning out, or failing, and in some reports the plugs were replaced more than once. Owners link the plug failures to oil burning in the cylinders, and describe the car entering a limp mode and slowing to very low speed until repaired. Where mileage is given, it falls between 76,883 and 125,480 miles, and the stalls are described on highways and busy roads.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask a mechanic to pull a spark plug and check for oil fouling, and ask for the dates and records of any plug replacements. On a test drive at highway speed, watch the warning lights and listen for any loss of power.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “[I have the svc records for this info-points of contact are at the end of the report] on jan 8th at about 630 am I was driving on i495w in va - I was at the intersection of i495 and the exits for i95s and i395 washington. I was driving about 55 miles/hr and my car engine simply stopped. I put my hazards on and glided to the side of the road. The car has 125,400 miles--I purchased it new in feb, 2012. I was towed to sheehy Honda, alexandria, va. They said the spark plugs were fouled and replaced them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10673081, filed 2015-01, 125,480 miles

   “I have a 2012 Honda Insight. On 12/23/18 I was driving on the highway and the power cut out. This is the 3rd incident in a one year and half where the spark plugs have blown cutting the power to the car. Mechanic told me it would be $1700. I couldn't get it fixed I was getting on a plane 3 days later for three weeks. Evidentally it has to something with the excess burning of oil getting to the spark plugs. I've found where others have this problem also. Its quite expensive to fix. This has to be a manufacturer problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11180263, filed 2019-02, 95,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag recall repair delayed by parts shortage

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2017

   Owners describe receiving a recall notice for a Takata air bag inflator but being unable to get the replacement part, with some waiting for months for a repair date. Some say calls to the dealer or manufacturer gave no results, and that no loaner car was available. Some owners say they drive less while waiting for the part, and a complaint describes poor customer service. Mileage is not stated in these complaints, and the delays are described after the recall notice, with some complaints saying no failure had occurred.

   Recall 16V0610002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Enter the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup to confirm which air bag recalls are open for the car, and ask the dealer whether a replacement inflator is in stock for that VIN. Ask for the date of any repair appointment and a written record of the recall status.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall my Insight was on the recall list early in 2016. Letter that came in march said part would be available in mid-summer. I'd called dealer with similar results. Way over 60 days since the VIN was posted online. I try to drive it as little as possible while waiting. Sad, for some tragic, situation. Not happy at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #10855112, filed 2016-04

   “Takata recall: called my Honda dealer (brilliant Honda of crystal lake, il) on april 8 after receiving letter from Honda corp. It has been more than 3 months & I still have not been called for my replacement. I live an hour away from closest Honda dealer & asked them for a loaner car which they do not have. I no longer feel comfortable driving more than 30 mins from my home, or taking passengers in my car. Can you help me?”

   NHTSA complaint #10884538, filed 2016-07
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or unresponsive accelerator

   • 12 complaints (20%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own while speed control was in use, with the cancel button or brake pedal needed to slow it, and a sudden forward lurch at low speed in traffic. Some say similar incidents happened earlier and were reported. Other complaints describe an accelerator pedal that stopped responding on the highway, with warning lights on and the car not moving. Where mileage is given, it falls between 16,121 and 56,000 miles, and the speed control incidents are described both at highway speed and in slow traffic.

   What to check: On a test drive, engage speed control, then press the brake to confirm it disengages, and check that the accelerator responds normally from a stop. Ask the dealer to scan for stored codes related to the speed control and throttle system, and to record the results.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving in a line of slow moving traffic on a two line lane main street keeping a constant speed of 22 MPH when suddenly my car lurched forward accelerating rapidly making a high pitched screaming sound. As the car gained speed I swerved into the other lane to avoid crashing into the car in front of me. Meanwhile I stomped on the foot brakes, pulled on the emergency brake and shifted into park trying to stop the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10724827, filed 2015-06, 16,121 miles

   “Driving with speed control on, on i20 east of columbia sc, automobile began to accelerate on its own. When it reached 85 MPH I attempted do decrease speed using the decel/set button, car continued to accelerate. I was able to disconnect speed control using cancel button. After we slowed to 70mph I reengaged the speed control. About 30 minutes later the car began to accelerate again and at about 77mph I disengaged the speed control using the cancel button. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10680981, filed 2015-02, 33,800 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should ask for oil consumption and spark plug service records, and check the oil level after a test drive, since complaints describe oil running low between changes. Ask whether any air bag recall repair has been completed, because some complaints describe long waits for parts.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.