2012 Honda Insight
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 24 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2010 | 119 |
| 2011 | 40 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2019 | 96 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 29 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
61% of complaints: engine — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
The car has only 83000 miles. We bought the vehicle 2 months ago from the estate of an individual that passed away. We were driving the vehicle and the gas pedal stopped working. Prior to this happening, we noticed no oil leak from the car.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241218
MY HONDA INSIGHT 2012 IS BURNING OIL. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE I DRIVE AROUND 3500 MILE AND THE RED ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK THE CAR ,LIKE 3-4 YEARS AGO, TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181203
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180917
19% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150611
5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 3 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: seats — 2 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Campaign 16V061000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available.
Campaign 17V030000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 17V545000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 18V042000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 18V661000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.
Campaign 19V378000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 19V502000 — check if this car was fixed
Pedestrian alert sounds
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Honda Insight — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 16V061000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V030000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V545000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V042000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V661000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V378000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V502000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Honda Insight reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Honda Insight is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Insight?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Insight have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.