2021 Honda INSIGHT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
4,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 54.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Seats: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 20 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 6; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 11388438 · 2021-01-16 (January 16, 2021)
ON TWO OCCASIONS I'VE HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM EROR MESSAGE POP UP ON MY HOME SCREEN INSIDE OF THE CAR AND ON THE HONDALINK APP 12/09/2020 AND ON 12/18/2020. I WAS LEAVING WORK ON BOTH INCIDENTS. THE MESSAGE READS: THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM OR THE BRAKE FLUID MAY BE LOW. I THERE IS NO RESISTANCE FROM THE BARK PEDAL, DOWNSHIFT TO LOWER GEARS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY STOP IN A SAFE PLACE AND CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. PART TWO: THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM. AVOID HIGH SPEEDS AND SUDDEN BRAKING. HAVE YOUR VEHICLES CHECKED BY…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11388438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395655 · 2021-02-10 (February 10, 2021)
WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 1/23/21. ON 2/4/21, I WAS DRIVING IN DOBSON, NC, WHEN THE POWER CONTROL UNIT (PCU) MALFUNCTIONED, LEADING TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT WITHOUT WARNING LIGHTS. I THEN BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVE AND STARTED ON MY WAY. AS I WAS DESCENDING A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH SOME BRAKING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FLOW HONDA IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PCU. WE PICKED UP THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11701339 · 2025-11-24 (November 24, 2025)
Under certain circumstances, the portion of the PCU that controls charging of the 12 volt accessory battery malfunctions, sending the PCU into a "fail safe" mode, preventing battery charging and activating warning displays for the driver. This has caused my vehicle to stall while driving, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. Other honda hybrids during this year have been recalled but not by my VIN number, however I am having the exact same issue. Below has me give a specific date but this happens almost every morning.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11701339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11592410 · 2024-06-04 (June 4, 2024)
Summary American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 model year Insight vehicles. A capacitor in the printed circuit board of the front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and lead to an internal short circuit from the exposure to environmental humidity. Safety Risk In the event of a crash, the front passenger frontal and knee airbags may deploy despite the presence of an infant in a child seat or child, increasing the risk of injury. I have reached out to the dealership and said that they are waiting for the parts from…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11592410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699002 · 2025-11-12 (November 12, 2025)
The brake servo control unit feel simulator which reduces the simulation force provided to the brake pedal during emergency or failed conditions and is a key component of realizing a Regenerative Braking System. It provides a good pedal feeling to a driver, improves energy recovery and ensures braking security. My safety has been put at risk as that part is integral to my brake system (including the hybrid function) e.g. my car was in reverse and the brakes were not responding and had to leave my car. I towed my car to a local independent servi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11699002 at NHTSA ↗