CarBrief

The 2011 Honda Insight has 10 recalls on file[1], all of them about air bags[2][3]. It is rated 40 combined MPG by the EPA[4].

41owner complaints[5]
10recalls[1]
40MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Insight[5]. Three mention a crash, none a fire, two an injury and none a death[5]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

Air bags are the biggest group by far, with 28 complaints[6]. They include 2 crashes and 2 injuries, and the median mileage at failure is 42,000[6]. Engine is next with 5 complaints[7], then speed control with 3[8]. Wheels[9] and seat belts[10] have 2 each. Seats[11], steering[12] and exterior lighting[13] have 1 each.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 11 of the texts are about recall repairs rather than a bag failing on its own[6]. Owners describe waiting for repair parts, asking for a rental or loaner car in the meantime, and leaving the dealer with only one of two air bags replaced. One text describes a crash where the air bags did not deploy[6].

Engine and speed control. The engine complaints in the sample we read do not point to one problem. Owners describe a delay when the hybrid engine restarts on a hill, the engine revving at an idle stop, a loss of power with warning lights and a clunk that turned out to be motor mounts[7]. Owners in all 3 of the speed control texts we read describe the engine revving or the car speeding up at low speed[8].

Seat belts. In the 2 seat belt texts we read, one owner says a rear belt could not hold a child seat, and another says a seat belt did not lock in a crash[10].

A small sample cannot tell you how common any of this is. Treat it as a list of things to ask about, not a verdict.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2011 Insight, newest first[1]. All are about air bags. Several cover many Honda and Acura models, and some apply only to cars registered in certain states[2][14][15], so check your own VIN with Honda or NHTSA.

Our data does not say which of these remedies are available today for a given car. Ask a Honda dealer to run the VIN before you rely on any of them.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 2011 Insight at 39 MPG in the city, 41 on the highway and 40 combined[4]. Its estimated annual fuel cost is $1,700[4]. Both listed transmissions, "Automatic (variable gear ratios)" and "Automatic (AV-S7)", get the same numbers[4][22]. The cost estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2011 Insight 4 stars for rollover resistance, with a rollover risk of 11.3%[23].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows a 1.3L 4-cylinder engine rated at 98 hp[24].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[25].

How 2011 compares with other years

2000: 24 complaints, 1 recalls20002001: 15 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 12 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 3 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 2 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 2 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 2 complaints, 1 recalls20062010: 119 complaints, 10 recalls2011: 41 complaints, 10 recalls4120112012: 59 complaints, 8 recalls2013: 45 complaints, 6 recalls20132014: 5 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 99 complaints, 8 recalls20192020: 31 complaints, 6 recalls2021: 25 complaints, 3 recalls20212022: 33 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Insight model year. The 2011 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2000241
2001152
2002121
200330
200420
200520
200621
201011910
20114110
2012598
2013456
201453
2019998
2020316
2021253
2022333

Counts below are NHTSA complaints and recalls for each Insight model year. They are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1].

Should you buy a used 2011 Insight?

The numbers are mixed. Fuel economy is a clear plus at 40 combined MPG[4]. There are 41 complaints on file[5]. The weak spot is air bags, with 10 recalls and 28 air bag complaints[1][6].

Before you buy or keep one, have a dealer run the VIN and confirm which air bag recalls are done. Our data cannot tell you that for any single car. The complaint texts we read are a small sample, so they show what some owners went through, not what you should expect.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Honda Insight?
Air bags have the most NHTSA complaints, 28 of 41[5][6]. The air bag complaint texts we read are mostly about waiting for recall repairs[6]. Engine has 5 complaints and speed control has 3[7][8].
Does the 2011 Honda Insight have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recalls, all about air bags[1]. Seven involve inflators that could rupture or explode[2][16][14][19][21][15][3], and 3 involve air bags or inflators installed wrongly[17][18][20].
What is the gas mileage of a 2011 Honda Insight?
The EPA rates it at 39 city, 41 highway and 40 combined MPG[4].
How many horsepower does the 2011 Honda Insight have?
The EPA test car list shows 98 hp for the 1.3L 4-cylinder[24].
Is 2011 a good year for the Honda Insight?
It has fewer complaints than 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2019, but it ties 2010 for the most recalls at 10[1]. These counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Insight model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Insight, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 39 city / 41 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Honda Insight (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 28 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,989). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 3 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 1 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 1 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 18V661, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V346, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 19V378, filed May 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 17V545, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 17V030, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  22. EPA rating for Insight, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 39 city / 41 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Honda Insight with 1.3L 4-cylinder: rated 98 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, INSIGHT LX/EX: length 172 in, width 67 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,723 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.