The Lemon Index
202020223rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,685 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 48–52 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Hyundai Veloster2021 Chevrolet Spark 112021 Kia Rio 43
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V332000 (airbags), 24V064000 (airbags) and 20V798000 (electrical) done? 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 the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
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 15 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 →
In owners' words
This has been happening with my two honda cads. I currently have Honda 2023 CRV and 2021 Honda Insight. the Collison Mitigation Braking System brakes really hard for no reason
2021 Honda Insight owner · NHTSA complaint 11544903
More owner reports
Car emergency braking system engaged while there was nothing in front of the car. The automatic brakes were applied and the brake indicator flashed on the driver screen with no warning.
NHTSA complaint 11594370
Intermittently the car’s forward collision warning will flash and occasionally start applying the brake without any other vehicles or obstacles in front of me.
NHTSA complaint 11502908
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 2021 is the same generation.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Electrical · recall issued 2020
The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
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. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-insight/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Honda Insight reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Honda Insight reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,685 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Insight problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (53%), brakes (20%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Insight have?
3 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 2021 Honda Insight get?
48 to 52 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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.
Does the 2021 Honda Insight have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 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 2021 Honda Insight have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Honda Insight year is better than the 2021?
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