What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda Insight?

Owners file the most complaints about the engine group, with 31 complaints. Air bags follow with 8 and the power train with 7.

Does the 2013 Honda Insight have recalls?

Yes. The by-year count shows 6 recalls on file. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2013 Honda Insight reliable?

NHTSA has 45 complaints on file. The engine group leads with 31. See the complaint section above for what owners describe.

What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Honda Insight?

See the Fuel section of this page for the EPA figures.

How did the 2013 Honda Insight do in crash tests?

See the Safety section of this page for the ratings.

2013 Honda Insight Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Honda Insight^[1]. The engine group is the largest, with 31 complaints^[2].

45owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[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 in the NHTSA files, biggest first. These are unverified owner reports.

Engine. 31 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine using oil between changes, dashboard warning lights, and the car stalling or losing power. Some say dealer tests did not lead to a repair.
Air Bags. 8 complaints^[5]. Owners describe waiting a long time for a repair part and feeling nobody kept them informed. One story involves a crash where the side curtain bags went off.
Power Train. 7 complaints^[6]. Owners describe the car losing power while driving, a transmission that failed, and oil loss tied to other trouble.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 4 complaints^[7]. The stories we read focus on oil running low much faster than expected.
Electrical System. 4 complaints^[8]. Owners filed these under the electrical group.
Brakes. 2 complaints^[9].
Speed Control. 1 complaint^[10].
Wheels. 1 complaint^[11].

The by-year section shows 6 recalls on file for this model year^[3].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 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 › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V500), June 2019. About 1,558 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.^[13]
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.^[14]
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.^[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 › 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.^[17]

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^[18]	40 / 42 / 41	$1,650

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
5 HB FWD^[19]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	11.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2013 Honda Insight with 1.3L 4-cylinder^[20]	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^[21]	172 in	67 in	56 in	101 in	2,723 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Insight model year. The 2013 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 45 complaints and 6 recalls for 2013^[3]. Among the 16 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 3 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 2013 Insight?

The complaint record for the 2013 Honda Insight is small, with 45 complaints in all^[1]. The engine group makes up 31 of them^[2], so that is the area to ask about first when you shop. Air bags and the power train follow with 8 and 7 complaints^[5]^[6]. Recalls exist for this model year^[3], so check that any car you look at has had its repairs done. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda Insight?: Owners file the most complaints about the engine group, with 31 complaints^[2]. Air bags follow with 8^[5] and the power train with 7^[6].
Does the 2013 Honda Insight have recalls?: Yes. The by-year count shows 6 recalls on file^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
Is the 2013 Honda Insight reliable?: NHTSA has 45 complaints on file^[1]. The engine group leads with 31^[2]. See the complaint section above for what owners describe.
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Honda Insight?: See the Fuel section of this page for the EPA figures.
How did the 2013 Honda Insight do in crash tests?: See the Safety section of this page for the ratings.

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 59 complaints, 8 recalls
2013 this page
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 2013

2013 Honda Accord 1,437 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 Honda Civic 329 complaints, 0 recalls
2013 Honda CR-V 382 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 Honda Fit 176 complaints, 10 recalls

All Honda models

Similar cars from 2013: compact cars

2013 Volvo S60 87 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Audi A4 111 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 BMW 3 Series 377 complaints, 8 recalls
2013 Chrysler 200 628 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 Ford Focus 2,181 complaints, 14 recalls
2013 Hyundai Accent 141 complaints, 1 recall

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Honda Insight (2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). 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
8 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,177). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the wheels component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver 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 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: 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, 2013 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.

2013 Honda Insight: problems, recalls and fuel economy