VehicleVerdict

2000 Honda Insight problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2000 Honda Insight sits mid-pack among Insight years: 34 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 35, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (7), lighting (5), and seat belts (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

34

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Insight years?

Insight NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted155 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 17 complaints2002: 12 complaints2003: 6 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 2 complaints2010: 155 complaints2011: 50 complaints2012: 66 complaints2013: 63 complaints2014: 5 complaints2019: 127 complaints2020: 49 complaints2021: 36 complaints2022: 50 complaints
Insight NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Insight years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Honda Insight problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System721%
Lighting515%
Seat Belts412%
Airbags39%
Other39%
Transmission26%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Brakes26%
Engine26%
Tires & Wheels26%
Body & Structure13%
Fuel System13%

Does the 2000 Honda Insight have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V086000LightingFebruary 24, 2004 · 440,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND ONE MATING PIN IN THE COUPLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ALL DIGITAL READINGS ON THE DASHBOARD VANISHED. ALSO, THE POWER WINDOWS AND POWER STEERING SIMULTANEOUSLY WENT OUT. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND REPAIRED IT. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES ON THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 18, 2004

“HONDA INSIGHT 2000 LOW BEAM LIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HONDA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR BECAUSE MY VIN DID NOT SHOW A RECALL. THE HONDA INSIGHT 2000 IS LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE OWNED MANY HONDAS IN THE PAST, BUT NOW AM EXTREMELY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 27, 2015

“WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENLY DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED, CONSUMER NOT ONLY SUFFERED INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, BUT ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES FROM THE BELT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“I OWN A 2000 MODEL 5 SPEED HONDA INSIGHT. PERIODICALLY, AND WITH NO PATTERN OF PREDICTABILITY, THE ELECTRIC ASSIST PORTION OF THE HYBRID ELECTRIC MOTOR/ GAS ENGINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS POWER IS GREATLY DIMINISHED, DANGEROUSLY SO IN SOME CASES: I.E. WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH FAST MOVING FREEWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 20, 2003

“WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DOWN SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR, WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, BLINDING THE MOTORIST, THE VEHICLE SWIRLED OUT OF CONTROL HITTING THE MEDIAN, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND MOTORIST SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HANDS, WRIST AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags

2000 Honda Insight — common questions

Is the 2000 Honda Insight reliable?

It is close to typical for the Insight: 34 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 Insight problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), lighting (5 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints).

Does the 2000 Honda Insight have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2000 Honda Insight. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Insight years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Insight years to avoid are 2010, 2019, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among Insight years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.