VehicleVerdict

2020 Honda Insight problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Honda Insight carries two red flags at once: 49 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking). It is one of the Insight years to avoid.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

49

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Insight years?

Insight NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Insight years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Honda Insight problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1327%
Electrical System714%
Transmission510%
Brakes48%
Engine48%
Body & Structure36%
Other36%
Speed Control24%
Steering24%
Fuel System24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2020 Honda Insight have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

21V215000Fuel SystemMarch 25, 2021 · 624,552 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

20V798000Electrical SystemDecember 17, 2020 · 27,838 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.

Consequence

A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.

20V771000Electrical SystemDecember 10, 2020 · 737,233 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.

Consequence

Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.

20V314000Fuel SystemMay 28, 2020 · 135,995 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA25002

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the AEB system and its limitations. However, many consumer complaints received by ODI allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that Honda dealerships informed the consumer that this is considered normal AEB operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 106 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in the subject vehicles.In total, ODI reviewed 475 reports involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. Of the reports reviewed by ODI, three (3) allege a crash caused by the inadvertent activation of AEB and two (2) allege injury. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. Further, the scope of the investigation is being expanded to include assessment of model year 2023 Honda Passport vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The vehicle unintentionally accelerated while pulling into a parking space. I was depressing the brake to slow down while making the right turn into the space. The engine suddenly revved up (as though you were depressing the gas and brake at the same time) and it accelerated forward (a though you…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 28, 2026 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MILES PER HOUR, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF MY CAR. I THEN SAW WARNINGS FLASHING FROM MY DASH BOARD SAYING: AC MALFUNCTION, LKAS MALFUNCTION,AND THEN ANOTHER WARNING FLASHED SAYING - LOW OIL FLUID,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 26, 2021

“I believe the tire, wheel or suspension system failed while driving on the highway, causing me to hit my head on the driver's window and lose cosciousness. I skidded into a concrete barrier on the right side of the highway and was found unconscious at the scene. The damage to the passenger side…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2023 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MILES PER HOUR, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF MY CAR. I THEN SAW WARNINGS FLASHING FROM MY DASH BOARD SAYING: AC MALFUNCTION, LKAS MALFUNCTION,AND THEN ANOTHER WARNING FLASHED SAYING - LOW OIL FLUID,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 26, 2021

“This 2020 Honda Insight performed “phantom braking” of the automated braking system when I was about to enter a clear intersection with no vehicles or obstacles in front of me. It activated the automated braking system and endangered my life and the lives of others over no real threat. This…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 23, 2025

2020 Honda Insight — common questions

Is the 2020 Honda Insight reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 49 complaints put the 2020 model at #7 of 16 Insight years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Insight years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Insight problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (13 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 2020 Honda Insight have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Honda Insight. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Honda Insight under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.

How safe is the 2020 Honda Insight?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Honda Insight earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.