2013 Honda INSIGHT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 45 complaints (68.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 31 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Engine: 31; Air Bags: 8; Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 11; 2017: 10; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10750201 · 2015-08-20 (August 20, 2015)
EXCESSIVELY BURN ENGINE OIL. DEFECTIVE PISTON RINGS CAR WAS STALLING ON FREEWAY WITH "CHECK ENGINE" "CHECK BRAKE" " "CHECK HILL START ASSISTANT" "CHECK VSA" LIGHT FLASHING. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND EXACT SAME SYMPTONS WHICH WAS FILED FOR 2012 HONDA INSIGHT. REFER TO NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10747250. HE HAS DESCRIBED WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING WORD BY WORD. IN 2013, HONDA SETTLED CLASS-ACTION LAW SUIT WITH SAME PROBLEM ON DIFFERENT MODELS, BUT 2013 INSIGHT HAS SAME DEFECTS, EXCESSIVE OIL-BURNING, FAULTY PISTON RINGS, ETC. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10750201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872828 · 2016-06-06 (June 6, 2016)
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. ENGINE STALLING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. LARGE CLOUD OF BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663474 · 2014-12-10 (December 10, 2014)
DRIVING ON A BUSY S.E. STREET IN WASHINGTON DC, DRIVING ABOUT 20 TO 30 MPH., HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLOWING OUT OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF NOISE EMANATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKE, BUT INSTEAD THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. IT SPED UP AT LEAST ANOTHER 15 TO 20 MORE MPH, AND AGAIN, WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE VEHICLES IN THE BACK, SO I COULD NOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OR SHUT THE CAR OFF. THERE WERE ALSO VEHICLES ON THE SIDE AND IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION ON HOW TO SLOW TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11073569 · 2018-02-19 (February 19, 2018)
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED AFTER 3 YEARS, SINGLE OWNER AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. COULD NOT BE REBUILT, FLYWHEEL INVOLVED AS WELL.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,931 miles reported. Look up ODI 11073569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538658 · 2023-08-15 (August 15, 2023)
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that vehicle failed to respond after shifting the transmission to the desired gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mile…
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11538658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10955304 · 2017-02-17 (February 17, 2017)
I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE HIGH WAY DRIVING NORMALLY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WENT OFF, I HIT MY BRAKES IMMEDIATELY OUT OF FEAR. MY HAND WAS CUT, BRUISED AND SLIGHTLY BLEEDING. LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS MODEL OF CAR IS IN RECALL, YET MY VIN ISN'T ONE OF THEM. IT SCARES ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TICKING TIME BOMB SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. I FEEL LOST SINCE HONDA SAYS MY CAR ISN'T ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, YET WHY WOULD MY AIR BAG JUST DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING?
Owner-reported narrative. 39,224 miles reported. Look up ODI 10955304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554741 · 2023-11-12 (November 12, 2023)
Noticed decreased performance & frequent oil changes in 2015. At first, I did not know the weak engine performance was related to the oil consumption & was never offered diagnostic testing until May 2023 across multiple Honda shops in different states. With this, I was under the impression that my car was performing within normal limits. Finally in May 2023 the local Honda shop recommended the proper diagnostic test & told me about the known piston/oil consumption defect known to this model & the (expired) warranty extension that was associated…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11554741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11481912 · 2022-08-30 (August 30, 2022)
2013 Honda Insight Hybrid LX (4 cylinder) vehicle purchased on 8/19/14. thanks This complaint is was filed to due engine oil consumption on my Honda-hybrid. In 2020 my car began losing oil quite frequently as I was having to add or change the oil often. On 8/27/21 I took the vehicle to Honda of Downtown Los Angeles, Kesean Zachary informed me they would need to perform an engine oil consumption test and change the oil. Soon after that the car was again losing oil so I returned it to Honda of Downtown on 11/18/21, where Kesean checked the oil wi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11481912 at NHTSA ↗