2019 Honda Insight Problems & Owner Complaints

Forward Collision Avoidance 17 4 crash 1 injury

“The contact who is an attorney, called regarding the crash of a 2019 Honda Insight and another vehicle. The contact stated that while the Honda Insight driver was driving approximately 65 MPH with the Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control activated, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking feature malfunctioned, and failed to prevent the crash. The contact stated that the air bags in the Honda Insight deployed. Unfortunately, the driver of the other vehicle died in the crash. The dr…”
NHTSA complaint #11521733, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I drove into my friends driveway with my foot on the brake to drop her off. All of a sudden my car lurched forward damaging my friends garage door and the foundation of her house. I had zero control of the car at that point. I plan on notifying Honda. There were no warning lights, or messages prior to this disaster.”
NHTSA complaint #11538133, 2023 · crash

“i was going home from work in my Honda insight 2019 and all of a sudden my car started showing all kings of warnings every single indicator was on and my car started to spin and hit the side railing of the highway i almost died that day no airbags deployed that is also an other safety function did work that day. Honda refuse to take any kind of responsibility for the car malfunction i called and ask for help they said go ahead buy a new car we can't help you with anything. my request to the department is take a action against HONDA so no other family or any other driver go through this. and no…”
NHTSA complaint #11537966, 2023 · crash

Fuel System 15

“The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000(Fuel System, gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing engine hesitation while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000…”
NHTSA complaint #11623803, 2024

“The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Sloane Honda Service (9903 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19115); but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnec…”
NHTSA complaint #11616374, 2024

“The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11614074, 2024

Unknown Or Other 14 2 crash 1 injury

“While stopped at a train track, I used the Brake Hold feature and it was on when suddenly without touching peddles the car went forward and I hit the car in front of me”
NHTSA complaint #11693066, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“MI VOLSAS DE AHIRE NO FUNCIONARON Y ESTAN COBRANDOME POR UN DEFECTO DE FABRICA NECESITO QUE BEAN MI SOLICITUD YA QUE POR ESE DEFECTO DE FABRICA ME GOLPIE MI CUERPO”
NHTSA complaint #11258581, 2019 · crash

“The A/C evaporator failed due to a refrigerant leak caused by corrosion. The component is available for inspection upon request at the dealership where it was diagnosed. The failure resulted in complete loss of air conditioning. In hot weather conditions, particularly during highway driving and stop-and-go traffic, loss of A/C poses a risk of heat-related illness to the driver, especially in high-temperature climates. The defect was confirmed by a Honda dealership technician during an inspection in May 2026. The service advisor explicitly stated that the evaporator is manufactured from the s…”
NHTSA complaint #11745740, 2026

Electrical System 12 2 crash

“Car was put into reverse to perform a T turn to drive in the opposite direction on 1/14. The "D" button was depressed to place the car into Drive. The car quickly accelerated backwards and crashed into the mailbox. Service Advisor at the David McDavid Honda Dealership was contacted yesterday regarding the issue but no response has been received yet. It is unknown if the backup camera was visible since attempts were being made to try to stop the car. Not much time was allowed.”
NHTSA complaint #11711072, 2026 · crash

“i was going home from work in my Honda insight 2019 and all of a sudden my car started showing all kings of warnings every single indicator was on and my car started to spin and hit the side railing of the highway i almost died that day no airbags deployed that is also an other safety function did work that day. Honda refuse to take any kind of responsibility for the car malfunction i called and ask for help they said go ahead buy a new car we can't help you with anything. my request to the department is take a action against HONDA so no other family or any other driver go through this. and no…”
NHTSA complaint #11537966, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. The vehicle was driven onto the off-ramp and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was started; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a corroded connector and broken pin at the leak detection pump in the rear of the vehic…”
NHTSA complaint #11723037, 2026

Service Brakes 12 5 crash 1 injury

“While stopped at a train track, I used the Brake Hold feature and it was on when suddenly without touching peddles the car went forward and I hit the car in front of me”
NHTSA complaint #11693066, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I drove into my friends driveway with my foot on the brake to drop her off. All of a sudden my car lurched forward damaging my friends garage door and the foundation of her house. I had zero control of the car at that point. I plan on notifying Honda. There were no warning lights, or messages prior to this disaster.”
NHTSA complaint #11538133, 2023 · crash

“The brakes failed and the yellow light that comes on as you are approaching another vehicle failed to come on along with the car not slowing down. The drivers foot was on the brake but the car wasn’t stopping. This caused the driver to rear end another vehicle causing a car crash. The dealer was asked about reading the computer to confirm brake failure but was advised they do not have the equipment to read the computer in the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the failure of the brakes not working.”
NHTSA complaint #11531137, 2023 · crash

Air Bags 8 4 crash 1 fire 4 injury

“I was driving on the freeway driving approx 70 mph when i was involved in a near head on collision from another car that had lost control and spun around into me. And the air bags did not deploy causing my head to hit the driver side pillar and i have shoulder and lower back pain and right knee pain”
NHTSA complaint #11445890, 2021 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I was involved in an accident on 6/9/2021, where I was rear ended which caused tremendous damage. No air bags deployed. I have a fractured nose, large bump on head, whiplash, very badly hurt left arm and also have problems with my right motor skills.”
NHTSA complaint #11420742, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT COSTING $7,000 IDAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. HIT MY HEAD ON DRIVER DOOR WINDOW. DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED THE SRS HARNESS. THE STRUCTURE WAS DAMAGED SO THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.”
NHTSA complaint #11258704, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Fuel/Propulsion System 8

“The car was serviced due to a recall about fuel pump defect and after the service, the car was halted in the middle of the trip. This incident is not acceptable and especially the recall service was supposed to fix that problem. The sudden stop of malfunctioning fuel pump could cause collision, injury and possible lives!”
NHTSA complaint #11640438, 2025

“If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, please contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at: 1-888-327-4236 or TTY: 1-800-424-9153 or file an online complaint with NHTSA.”
NHTSA complaint #11614092, 2024

“I am writing to report a potentially serious safety issue with my vehicle. My car recently had its fuel pump replaced/repaired as part of a recall. However, only about 2 years after this recall repair, my car stopped accelerating while I was driving. This left me and my toddler stranded in the middle of the road in 110 degrees, creating a dangerous situation for us and other drivers. I took the vehicle to the dealership, where they diagnosed that the fuel pump needs to be replaced again. This is concerning as fuel pumps are typically expected to last up to 100,000 miles, and mine was just rec…”
NHTSA complaint #11604279, 2024

Engine 7

“Engine light came on around 60,000 miles. Indicated cylinder 4 compression off. Eventually diagnosed as blown head gasket resulting in engine replacement costing over $4300. I was told there was an extended warranty on the 2017 and 2018 models but not the 2019 model year. I did purchase one of the first insights produced in the 2019 model year and wonder if I received an engine with the same issue as the 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11532188, 2023

“There were 2 recalls on my car and both have been serviced. But I keep having issues with a whole host of sensors including check engine light that lights up every week and the car is practically unusable. When the check engine and other lights/sensors trigger, the gas pedal is practically useless and cannot accelerate the car. This is a big problem when I'm on the road and might lead to catastrophic accident. I have taken my car several times to have it checked and I'm still having issues. Of late I keep hearing a whole lot of fan that are whirling and I could feel heat inside the car even wh…”
NHTSA complaint #11421471, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE HIS WIFE AND A FRIEND WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V314000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11344311, 2020

Lane Departure 6 1 crash

“i was going home from work in my Honda insight 2019 and all of a sudden my car started showing all kings of warnings every single indicator was on and my car started to spin and hit the side railing of the highway i almost died that day no airbags deployed that is also an other safety function did work that day. Honda refuse to take any kind of responsibility for the car malfunction i called and ask for help they said go ahead buy a new car we can't help you with anything. my request to the department is take a action against HONDA so no other family or any other driver go through this. and no…”
NHTSA complaint #11537966, 2023 · crash

“The lane departure warning system in my Insight has, for the six years I have owned it, regularly been confused by shadows on the road - flashing a departure warning and trying to adjust the steering while I am driving within my lane. I was prompted to write this today because the LDS went off four times during my 8-mile drive to work this morning. It's mostly been a distracting annoyance, but as far as I know the system can't be disabled - just turned off manually every time the car is started. In sum: the vast majority of the times the lane departure system has alerted, the vehicle has not i…”
NHTSA complaint #11677854, 2025

“Fuel pump damage. 2019 and 2020 have recalls but not in this Vin range. Same failure issue though presents.”
NHTSA complaint #11572929, 2023

Seat Belts 4

“When we took it in for the front seat, buckle recall, we informed the dealership there was an issue with the driver side rear seatbelt. At that time, we only had two kids. Now we have three children, and we are not able to buckle all our children in the backseat. Each time we take the car to the dealership for an oil change we tell him the same issue they state there is no recall and won’t look at it. . How can you help?”
NHTSA complaint #11629454, 2024

“AFTER PREVIOUS RECALL 748083 WAS PERFORMED THE SEATBELT LATCH FAILED INTERNALLY.”
NHTSA complaint #11628494, 2024

“The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated that the release button for the front driver’s side seat belt had remained stuck in the release position. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to securely latch the seat belt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the seat belt could not be repaired since to the seat belt warning light was not illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V158000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. T…”
NHTSA complaint #11569254, 2024

Visibility/Wiper 4

“I have a 2019 Honda Insight that has had two previous air conditioner failures that were covered under an extended warranty that Honda issued for the compressor and condenser based on known problems with the system. The air conditioner, as of 6/2025, has again failed for the third time. The local dealer Victory Honda of Morgan Hill diagnosed a leaking evaporator which Honda is refusing to cover as the car is out of factory warranty. Upon researching the matter online I learned it is a widespread issue and even resulted in an unsuccessful class action lawsuit. The air conditioner failures are…”
NHTSA complaint #11672040, 2025

“Was taken into the dealership on 1/27 for an oil change and a general check-up. This morning 1/29 before starting up the vehicle noticed that the windshield had cracked windshield that looked like it was due to a bubble being created between the panes of glass which caused it to crack and shatter. This is not only a safety concern but an issue as well. Thankfully I was not driving the vehicle at the time that this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11639281, 2025

“The air conditioning system in my 2019 Honda Insight Touring Edition has failed three times in the last 3 years. Why is this a safety issue? In Southern California summer temperatures reach into the 90s and driving without air conditioning is impossible for any distance. For example today it is 93 degrees Fahrenheit in Los Angeles. It's impossible to use my car without air conditioning. Additionally, the A/C failure causes water vapor to condense on the windshield glass making it difficult to see through it and is an additional safety issue. The AC failure in the Honda Insights is a known iss…”
NHTSA complaint #11682423, 2023

Back Over Prevention 3

“The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated that the after starting the vehicle and shifting to reverse(R), the backup camera failed to display an image, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, while the vehicle was parked several electrical features could not be accessed, with a message stating that the features could not be accessed because the vehicle was in motion. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted and a service appointment was schedule. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2…”
NHTSA complaint #11485197, 2022

“Rear view camera Camera suddenly changed colors and is blurry. Cleaned multiple times and it is still always like this now. Shows neon bright colors instead of reality. Needs software update possibly?? There was a recall for this before and it was fixed by previous owner. But there may need to be a new update drivers are not aware about?”
NHTSA complaint #11484615, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE, THE IMAGE FAILED TO DISPLAY ON THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE RED, YELLOW, AND GREEN LINES APPEARED. KUNI HONDA ON ARAPAHOE (10750 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V629000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY) WAS ALREADY REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEAL…”
NHTSA complaint #11366654, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 3

“MY 2019 HONDA INSIGHT WAS PURCHASED IN FEB 2020 FROM A LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO. THE CAR WAS FUNCTIONING WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL JULY 2020. WHILE DRIVING THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING CAME ON SUDDENLY IT SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HEADQUARTER HONDA AND BROUGHT IN THE CAR.THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE BEEN HIT WITH SOMETHING. NOTHING HAS HIT THE CAR THE CAR FAX IS CLEAN THE TECH INSISTED THAT THE CAR WAS PROBABLY IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN IN FACT THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT TURNED OFF ON THE WAY HOME AND STAYED OFF FOR A FEW DAYS…”
NHTSA complaint #11343786, 2020

“THE CAR WAS BOUGHT AND DELIVERED MAY 15TH, LATE AT NIGHT. EVER SINCE, THE LANE ASSIST AND WARNING ARE ON AND SAY TAKE TO DEALER. I PARKED THE CAR A MONTH THEN DROVE FROM MISS TO ORLANDO, AND PUT 1700 MILES. COGGIN OF ORLANDO DID A QUICK COMPUTER CHECK, AS THEY HAD NO AVAILABILITY TWO DAYS AGO WHEN I TOOK IT IN, AND SAID EITHER A DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED RADAR SYSTEM. NOW HONDA REP SAYS I MUST GET A RENTAL AND PAY MYSELF AND SHE WAS VERY ABRASIVE. THE SERVICE REPAIR PERSON SAID HE WILL RUN THROUGH UP TO 10 POSSIBLE PROBLEMS TO DIAGNOSE WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG, AND BECAUSE HE RESET IT BUT IT POPPED BA…”
NHTSA complaint #11329668, 2020

“ON JUNE 3, 2019, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HONDA OF ILLINOIS (2500 PRAIRIE CROSSING DR, SPRINGFIELD (217-547-0750) FOR MAJOR SAFETY REGARDING MALFUNCTIONING DRIVING ASSISTING PROBLEMS AND CONFLICTING SIGNALS. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS, THE DEALER TECHNICIANS REPORTED CODES U128D, U1291, U1281, ETC. FOR SOLUTION, THEY RESET THE CODE AND TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT DEFINITELY FIX THOSE SAFETY ISSUES. THEY ADVISED ME TO COME BACK WHEN THE SAFETY ISSUES ARE BACK. ON JANUARY 15, 2020, I WENT BACK TO HONDA OF ILLINOIS FOR THE SAME SAFETY ISSUES THAT BECAME WORST. AT THIS TIME, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO EVEN PR…”
NHTSA complaint #11326678, 2020

Exterior Lighting 2

“The daytime running lights started to fade it till there was nothing. I was told it would be over $2000 to fix”
NHTSA complaint #11744642, 2026

“WE HAVE A NEW 2019 HONDA INSIGHT WITH 176 TOTAL MILES ON IT. THIS MORNING, ON LEAVING COSTCO IN SALEM OREGON,THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH PREVENTED USE OF TURN SIGNALS, LIGHTS AND OTHER SYSTEMS. THIS PERSISTED FOR THE FOUR MILE DRIVE HOME. AFTER PARKING THE CAR, UNLOADING GROCERIES (USING MANUAL TRUNK UNLOCK) THEN RETURNING LATER, ALL SYSTEMS WERE WORKING AGAIN. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THERE IS ANOTHER FAILURE.”
NHTSA complaint #11121505, 2018

Power Train 2 1 crash

“Car was put into reverse to perform a T turn to drive in the opposite direction on 1/14. The "D" button was depressed to place the car into Drive. The car quickly accelerated backwards and crashed into the mailbox. Service Advisor at the David McDavid Honda Dealership was contacted yesterday regarding the issue but no response has been received yet. It is unknown if the backup camera was visible since attempts were being made to try to stop the car. Not much time was allowed.”
NHTSA complaint #11711072, 2026 · crash

“My car failed to chage gears that I had to get car towed to a Honda dealer. The technician stated that the reason for failure was unknown but just resetted the system. I'm afraid that this might happen again.”
NHTSA complaint #11425305, 2021

Seats 2

“The front driver seat parts that attach to the floor are getting rusted away.”
NHTSA complaint #11545198, 2021

“A passenger became locked and trapped in the rear seat compartment after the driver and key fob walked away from the vehicle. The childproof lock setting in either the locked or in the unlocked position does not eliminate the trap. The problem is not addressed in the driver manual. It is highly likely that a passenger will eventually be killed as a result of this design in the event they are trapped in either hot or cold weather.”
NHTSA complaint #11445856, 2021

Tires 1

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“I’m having two continuous, multiple incident, problems that the dealership swears up and down do not exist. I have tried calling the dealership multiple times, and the national Honda customer service line. Problem number one, sudden, breaking while driving at highway speed with no vehicle or other objects in front of me. Second problem is the adaptive cruise control no longer is activated on the vehicle after the most recent software update. Although Honda says they have not removed this component from my car or it’s software, the vehicle no longer slows down automatically when approaching a v…”
NHTSA complaint #11573471, 2024

Visibility 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE, THE IMAGE FAILED TO DISPLAY ON THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE RED, YELLOW, AND GREEN LINES APPEARED. KUNI HONDA ON ARAPAHOE (10750 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V629000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY) WAS ALREADY REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEAL…”
NHTSA complaint #11366654, 2020

Wheels 1

“TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) SENDS PRESSURE ERROR ALL THE TIME DUE TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR NOT DUE TO PRESSURE BEING OUT OF RANGE. HONDA RECOMMENDS REPLACING ALL TIRES AT ONE TIME TO CURE THE ISSUE. PROBLEM OCCURS REGARDLESS OF TPMS RESET AND BOTH STATIONARY & IN MOTION. SEE ATTACHED LETTER TO HONDA. HAVE DEALT UNSATISFACTORILY WITH HONDA DISTRICT REP.”
NHTSA complaint #11191808, 2018