VehicleVerdict

2001 Honda Insight problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2001 Honda Insight — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Insight years?

Insight NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Insight years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Honda Insight problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting424%
Electrical System318%
Transmission212%
Engine212%
Steering212%
Airbags16%
Body & Structure16%
Tires & Wheels16%
Brakes16%

Does the 2001 Honda Insight have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

02V196000AirbagsJuly 24, 2002 · 375 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 1, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SHE SMELLED A CHEMICAL ODOR, AND SAW FLAMES BEHIND HER. SHE PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. . THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 23, 2009 · fire

“CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES DRIVEABILITY IS UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING ABOVE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH ON UNEVEN OR GROOVED PAVEMENT, WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON THESE TYPES OF ROAD SURFACES, THE VEHICLES STEERING BECOMES ABNORMALLY UNSTABLE (SWERVES) AND DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, THE VEHICLES NONCONFORMITY HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, AND SHIFTING TO 3RD GEAR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO 1ST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 2004

“MONDAY MORNING I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING MY CAT TO THE VET. I PUT HER IN A PET CARRIER AND PUT THE CARRIER IN MY 2001 HONDA INSIGHT WITH THE PET DOOR FACING FORWARD. I GOT ON THE 101 N. IN LOS ANGELES AND HAD DRIVEN ONLY A FEW MILES WHEN I SMELLED A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR. THINKING THE SMELL WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 23, 2009 · fire

2001 Honda Insight — common questions

Is the 2001 Honda Insight reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2001 Insight problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2001 Honda Insight have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Honda Insight. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Honda Insight under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.