NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Honda Insight[1]. Exterior lighting is the biggest group, with 4 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups from owner reports, biggest first.
- Exterior Lighting. 4 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe low beam headlights that stop working without warning while driving. Some say the lights were repaired once under a recall and then failed again.
- Electrical System. 2 complaints[5]. Owners describe sudden dips in power when they need to accelerate, and one report tells of a fire that destroyed the cabin.
- Power Train. 2 complaints[6]. Owners describe shuddering when pulling away and a manual gearbox that dropped into the wrong gear and stalled the engine.
- Engine. 2 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, one driver's engine stalled and did not restart, and another noticed a strong chemical smell on the road.
- Brakes. 1 complaint[8]. It is a single report, so we say little about it.
- Steering. 1 complaint[9]. It is a single report as well.
- Tires. 1 complaint[10]. Only one owner raised this group.
- Electronic Stability Control. 1 complaint[11]. Again, only one owner raised it.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2001 Insight is necessarily included.
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights (04V086), February 2004. About 440,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal (02V196), July 2002. About 375 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] | 45 / 49 / 47 | $1,450 |
| Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 45 / 49 / 47 | $1,450 |
| Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 48 / 60 / 53 | $1,250 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR None[16].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSIGHT 2DR HATCHBACK[17] | 155 in | 67 in | 54 in | 94 in | 1,878 lb |
How 2001 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 24 | 1 |
| 2001 | 15 | 2 |
| 2002 | 12 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 | 119 | 10 |
| 2011 | 41 | 10 |
| 2012 | 59 | 8 |
| 2013 | 45 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 | 3 |
| 2019 | 99 | 8 |
| 2020 | 31 | 6 |
| 2021 | 25 | 3 |
| 2022 | 33 | 3 |
NHTSA's counts for the Insight show 15 complaints and 2 recalls for 2001[3]. Among the 16 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2001 and 9 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2004 (2) and the most are for 2010 (119)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2001 Insight?
The record for this car is small, with 15 complaints in all[1]. Lighting problems stand out as the largest group[2]. Two complaints mention a fire, so electrical and engine issues deserve a careful look on any used car[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. A solid inspection and a check of the recall list are sensible before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2001 Honda Insight have?
- Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Exterior lighting is the biggest group[2]. See the problems section for the other groups.
- Has the 2001 Honda Insight been recalled?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for this model year[3]. The Recalls section lists each one.
- Did owners report fires in the 2001 Honda Insight?
- Two complaints mention a fire[1]. One names the electrical system[5] and one names the engine[7].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2001 Honda Insight?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2001 Honda Insight a good year compared with others?
- See the by-year comparison on this page for how the model years line up[3].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Honda Insight
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Honda Insight (0 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Insight model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 48 city / 60 highway / 53 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the electronic stability control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 04V086, filed February 24, 2004: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V196, filed July 24, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 45 city / 49 highway / 47 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Insight, 1.0L 3-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 45 city / 49 highway / 47 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, INSIGHT 2DR HATCHBACK: length 155 in, width 67 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 94 in, curb weight 1,878 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov