The Lemon Index
201020122nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,549 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 40 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Hyundai Azera2011 Buick Regal 672011 Volkswagen CC 25
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V502000 (airbags), 19V500000 (airbags) and 19V378000 (airbags) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- 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 10 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“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.
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.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 20K miles (26K to 32K km) on the car (9 of all 10 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.
In owners' words
The headrests push my head so far forward that my neck and shoulder/back muscles tighten up and cause pain.
2011 Honda Insight owner · NHTSA complaint 10426326
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 5.1M views · 2010–2014 Honda Insight
- Gauges, lights & wiring256K views
Honda Insight TPMS Light Won't Turn Off? Try This (2010 to 2014)RANDOMFIX · 144K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service239K views
2010-2014 Honda Insight Oil ChangeNutzAboutBolts · 118K views · 6 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical113K views
how to remove 2010-2014 Honda Insight radioJJsCarAudio101 · 68K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door93K views
2010-2014 Honda Insight Cabin air filter remove and installNutzAboutBolts · 52K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter23K views
2010-2014 Honda Insight Transmission Fluid Drain and fill plus in line filter changeShane Cordwainer · 17K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors17K views
How to Replace Side Mirror Honda Insight (2009–2014)DaringBeefcake · 17K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets11K views
Engine Oil Leak 2011 Honda Insightmpopov69 · 11K views - Steering & suspension10K views
How To Remove Lower Control Arm Honda Insight Hybrid Gen II 2009-2014 | Front Suspension Ball JointEyeOnAiman · 7K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2013 Honda Insight EX Review: Best Budget Hybrid You Can Buy Now!UsedCarsTV · 235K views
2010 Honda Insight ReviewMPGomatic · 220K views
Honda Insight 2010 Reviewimac2001 · 127K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2011 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…
- Tech2tech video - airbag inflator installation tips
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- 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
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 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.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Insight 5 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,500 (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. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2004–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
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 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-insight/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Honda Insight reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Honda Insight reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,549 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Honda Insight problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (20%), wheels (20%) and seat belts (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 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 2011 Honda Insight get?
40 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Honda Insight have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Honda Insight cost in fuel a year?
About $1,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Honda Insight have?
1.3L 4-cyl.
What Honda Insight year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car).
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