The Lemon Index
201120132nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 5,846 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 41 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Hyundai Azera2012 Toyota Yaris 232012 Buick Regal 43
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V502000 (airbags), 19V378000 (airbags) and 18V661000 (airbags) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Honda sent dealers 73 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine oil consumption exceeds customer expectations”?
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 11 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 59K miles (26K to 95K km) on the car (10 of all 11 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
- 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 2012 is the same generation.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 73 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine oil consumption exceeds customer expectations
- This bulletin is replaced by s/b 16-101, warranty extension: 201213 insight oil
- The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- 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.
- 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.
Show all 8 recalls
- 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
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 $1,450 (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. 2012 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-insight/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Honda Insight reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Honda Insight reliable?
We can't score it: only 5,846 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Insight problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (55%), speed control (27%) and seats (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Insight have?
8 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 2012 Honda Insight get?
41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Honda Insight have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Honda Insight cost in fuel a year?
About $1,450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Honda Insight have?
1.3L 4-cyl.
What Honda Insight year is better than the 2012?
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