The Lemon Index
2014
20203rd generation
About average · most complaints: automatic emergency braking
Better years to buy
42 owner complaints, first 3 years 48–52 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Buick Regal2019 Hyundai Veloster 712019 Chevrolet Spark 25
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,800 and 23,000 miles (4,500–37,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 42 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
- Were recalls 26V332000 (airbags), 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 23V158000 (seat belts) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Has this car had that problem?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
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 42 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 2K to 23K miles (5K to 37K km) on the car (25 of all 42 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 200 YouTube videos · 8.5M views · 2019–2022 Honda Insight
- Infotainment, battery & electrical64K views
Honda Insight (2019-present) - New 12-Volt Battery InstallThe Battery Shop · 50K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service47K views
2019-2022 Honda Insight Oil Change (how to)The Snyds · 23K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door19K views
22 Honda Insight Cabin Air Filter Replacement How To 2022Karrs Kars · 10K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter17K views
2019 Honda Insight Transmission Fluid ChangeChuck Tries · 12K views · 2 videos
Show 1 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring6K views
2021 Honda insight oil light resetLT BE KIND · 6K views
Before you buy, watch
2020 Honda Accord Hybrid Vs. 2020 Honda Insight – Which Hybrid Should You Buy??Drive On Reviews · 66K views
2019 HONDA INSIGHT: A perfect blend of reliability, style and fuel economy!0-60 MOTORING TV · 15K views
2019 Honda Insight - Review & Road TestKelley Blue Book · 504K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 is the same generation.
Recalls 8
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2023
A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
Show all 8 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2021
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Electrical · recall issued 2020
A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2018
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may have a manufacturing error, possibly resulting in the air bags or seatbelt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2018
In certain scenarios, the back-up camera center display may not function properly.
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
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2025
- ClosedInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024–2025
- 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 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,150–$1,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Honda Insight year. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-insight/?y=2019" 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/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Honda Insight reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Honda Insight reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 114; 100 is average, lower is better). The Honda Insight year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2019 Honda Insight problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (24%), electrical (19%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 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 2019 Honda Insight get?
48 to 52 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Honda Insight safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Honda Insight problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,800 and 23,000 miles (4,500–37,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 42 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2019 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 2019 Honda Insight have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Honda Insight cost in fuel a year?
About $1,150 to $1,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Honda Insight have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Honda Insight year is better than the 2019?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest (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