The Lemon Index

All carsHondaInsight2010

2006 Honda Insight, 1st generation, illustration2006
2010 Honda Insight, 2nd generation, illustration
2011 Honda Insight, 2nd generation, illustration2011

2010 Honda Insight problems.

2nd generation

692010 Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average · most complaints: electrical

Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).

All 15 yearsCompare

33 owner complaints, first 3 years 41 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2010 Hyundai Azera2010 Toyota Yaris 452010 Suzuki SX4

Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.

When problems show up

Most problems on this year showed up between 3,900 and 34,000 miles (6,300–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage).

  • At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.

This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.

Questions to ask the seller

  1. Were recalls 19V500000 (airbags), 19V502000 (airbags) and 19V378000 (airbags) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
  3. Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
  4. Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
  5. Honda sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing”?

From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Honda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.

How serious. Out of all 33 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

10crashesaverage car: 2
3injuriesaverage car: 1
0firesaverage car: 1
0towsaverage car: 1

“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical15%
speed control15%
airbags12%
visibility12%
body structure12%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Check engine light on? Look up any code →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 17K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 34K miles (6K to 56K km) on the car (28 of all 33 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Fixes owners look up most.

From 199 YouTube videos · 5.1M views · 2010–2014 Honda Insight

  1. Gauges, lights & wiring256K views
    Honda Insight TPMS Light Won't Turn Off? Try This (2010 to 2014)Honda Insight TPMS Light Won't Turn Off? Try This (2010 to 2014)RANDOMFIX · 144K views · 5 videos
  2. Oil changes & service239K views
    2010-2014 Honda Insight Oil Change2010-2014 Honda Insight Oil ChangeNutzAboutBolts · 118K views · 6 videos
  3. Infotainment, battery & electrical113K views
    how to remove 2010-2014 Honda Insight radiohow to remove 2010-2014 Honda Insight radioJJsCarAudio101 · 68K views · 2 videos
  4. Heat, A/C & blend door93K views
    2010-2014 Honda Insight Cabin air filter remove and install2010-2014 Honda Insight Cabin air filter remove and installNutzAboutBolts · 52K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Transmission & shifter23K views
    2010-2014 Honda Insight Transmission Fluid Drain and fill plus in line filter change2010-2014 Honda Insight Transmission Fluid Drain and fill plus in line filter changeShane Cordwainer · 17K views · 2 videos
  2. Windows, doors & mirrors17K views
    How to Replace Side Mirror Honda Insight (2009–2014)How to Replace Side Mirror Honda Insight (2009–2014)DaringBeefcake · 17K views · 2 videos
  3. Oil leaks & gaskets11K views
    Engine Oil Leak 2011 Honda InsightEngine Oil Leak 2011 Honda Insightmpopov69 · 11K views
  4. Steering & suspension10K views
    How To Remove Lower Control Arm Honda Insight Hybrid Gen II 2009-2014 | Front Suspension Ball JointHow To Remove Lower Control Arm Honda Insight Hybrid Gen II 2009-2014 | Front Suspension Ball JointEyeOnAiman · 7K views · 2 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2010 is the same generation.

Problems Honda told dealers about

Honda sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
  • Information on replacement and removal of junction board from old ima battery and new battery…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Recalls 10

  • Airbags · recall issued 2019

    These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…

  • Airbags · recall issued 2019

    The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …

  • Airbags · recall issued 2019

    The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Show all 10 recalls
  • Airbags · recall issued 2018

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2018

    The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2018

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2017

    One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2017

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2016

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2016

    The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Honda Insight recall, all years · All Honda recalls

Government investigations

  • ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlOptional
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2010 Honda Insight
Front crash test · NHTSA
Fuel cost and engines

About $1,450 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.3L 4-cyl.

Every Honda Insight year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.

Show 1 older years (2004–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
2004·#6

Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 8 Honda Insight years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.

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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-insight/?y=2010" title="Honda Insight reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/honda-insight/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Honda Insight reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2010 Honda Insight reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better).

What are the most common 2010 Honda Insight problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (15%), speed control (15%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Honda Insight have?

10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Honda Insight get?

41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2010 Honda Insight problems show up?

Most problems on this year showed up between 3,900 and 34,000 miles (6,300–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2010 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.

Does the 2010 Honda Insight have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2010 Honda Insight cost in fuel a year?

About $1,450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Honda Insight have?

1.3L 4-cyl.

Is there a better Honda Insight year than the 2010?

Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Honda Insight years within 3 model years of it.

The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

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