2021 Honda INSIGHT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11424785 · 2021-07-14 (July 14, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Insight. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, a deer jumped in front of the vehicle causing the contact to hit the deer but none of the air bags deployed. The contact mentioned that the automatic brakes were engaged during the incident. No one was injured and a police report was filed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was awaiting an inspection. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11424785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461413 · 2022-04-19 (April 19, 2022)
I have had 6 times where the collision warning has slammed on the brakes when there is no vehicles on the road in front of me. This is very dangerous when vehicles are behind you. I'm afraid that this car is going to cause a reck and get me and my wife hurt. A device that is supposed to help you has the ability to get you hurt. The dealer said that they were unable to get it to do it, and that if I was afraid of it that I could turn it off. Dosen't that defeat the purpose of getting it in the first place. I think Honda is just trying to swee…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470044 · 2022-06-20 (June 20, 2022)
The recent NHTSA disclosure of issues with Honda's driver-assistance technologies causes me to write about the troubling performance of adaptive cruise control on my 2021 Insight. When following another vehicle on controlled access highways, the system works fine. However if the vehicle in front enters an exit lane and slows, my car is slowed to the point that the brakes are fully applied, causing vehicles behind me slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid rear-ending me. The ACC does not "let go" of the car in front of me.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11491121 · 2022-10-27 (October 27, 2022)
Honda has a feature called "Traffic Sign Recognition System". With its mounted cameras the car is able to capture traffic signs while driving and display them on the dashboard. THE PROBLEM: the system is not very good at reading traffic signs and posts incorrect speed limits at times. I tried to turn this feature off but Honda does not have an option for that. Displaying the incorrect speed limit is a huge liability for the owner of the car if they decide to lend it to a friend or rent it out.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493465 · 2022-11-14 (November 14, 2022)
Several times since purchasing this vehicle the blindspot warning has lighted when no vehicles are present. It has lighted while driving next to the k rail center barrier, driving in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway, also at night when no cars are around on a 2 lane road. It has also lighted while driving in the rain with no vehicles around.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497733 · 2022-12-16 (December 16, 2022)
driver side headlight failed. available for inspection upon request. can't drive without headlight on at nighttime or dark days. I haven't gone to dealer yet. not inspected by manufacturer yet. warning and message: headlight system problem. headlight performance may be reduced. see your dealer. First appeared on 12/12/22. and I was told by gateguard that my left headlight went out, complete off. there was no incident, I didn't even know that it was completely off.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11497733 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V798000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Module:Software | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 2020-12-17 (December 17, 2020)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V064000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗