What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Insight?

The engine group has the most complaints at 36, followed by air bags at 11.

Does the 2012 Honda Insight have recalls?

Yes. The recall count for this year is in the by-year fact, and each one is listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Honda Insight?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2012 Honda Insight reliable?

The engine group leads the complaints with 36, so look at that group and the recall list first. Crash ratings are in the safety section.

2012 Honda Insight Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are on file for the 2012 Honda Insight?

NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Honda Insight^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 36 complaints^[2].

59owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[3]

41MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups on file, biggest first.

Engine. 36 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a warning light coming on, then finding the oil very low at the shop or on the dipstick. Some describe a ticking noise, and one describes the car refusing to speed up while dash lights lit up.
Air Bags. 11 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners are unhappy about waiting a long time for a repair after getting a notice, with calls to the dealer going nowhere.
Unknown Or Other. 6 complaints^[6]. These do not fit a named group.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 3 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the engine cutting out on the highway and a warning light tied to low oil on a used car.
Speed Control. 3 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car picking up speed on its own while cruise was set, and one swerved to avoid traffic.
Seats. 2 complaints^[9].
Structure. 1 complaint^[10].
Electrical System. 1 complaint^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Insight is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V502), June 2019. About 9,555 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V378), May 2019. About 19,138 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V661), September 2018. About 1,355,406 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V268), April 2018. About 1,335 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V042), January 2018. About 691,726 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V545), August 2017. About 3,257 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V030), January 2017. About 977,708 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (16V061), February 2016. About 2,232,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

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, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	40 / 42 / 41	$1,650
Insight, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	40 / 42 / 41	$1,650

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
5 HB FWD^[21]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	11.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Honda Insight with 1.3L 4-cylinder^[22]	98 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
INSIGHT 4DR HATCHBACK LX/EX^[23]	172 in	67 in	56 in	101 in	2,723 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Insight model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

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 59 complaints and 8 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 16 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 2 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 2012 Insight?

The complaint file for this Insight leans toward the engine group, with 36 complaints^[2]. Air bags come next with 11^[5]. Recalls also exist for this year, and the count is in the by-year section^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recall list and the engine's oil level before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Insight?: The engine group has the most complaints at 36^[2], followed by air bags at 11^[5].
Does the 2012 Honda Insight have recalls?: Yes. The recall count for this year is in the by-year fact^[3], and each one is listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints are on file for the 2012 Honda Insight?: NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Honda Insight?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2012 Honda Insight reliable?: The engine group leads the complaints with 36^[2], so look at that group and the recall list first. Crash ratings are in the safety section.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Honda Insight

2000 24 complaints, 1 recall
2001 15 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 119 complaints, 10 recalls
2011 41 complaints, 10 recalls
2012 this page
2013 45 complaints, 6 recalls
2019 99 complaints, 8 recalls
2020 31 complaints, 6 recalls
2022 33 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Honda Insight

Other Honda models from 2012

2012 Honda Accord 381 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Honda Civic 474 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Honda Fit 113 complaints, 11 recalls
2012 Honda Pilot 171 complaints, 9 recalls

All Honda models

Similar cars from 2012: compact cars

2012 Nissan Versa 486 complaints, 10 recalls
2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 243 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Toyota Yaris 35 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI 89 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Volkswagen Jetta 527 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Volvo S60 121 complaints, 8 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Honda Insight (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,214). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Insight model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Insight, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 42 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
11 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V378, filed May 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V661, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V545, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V030, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Insight, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 42 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Honda Insight with 1.3L 4-cylinder: rated 98 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, INSIGHT 4DR HATCHBACK 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.

2012 Honda Insight: problems, recalls and fuel economy