Exterior lighting: headlights
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOW-BEAM TERMINAL ON THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN OVERHEAT AND COULD CAUSE THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.
Research · Two Seaters
2000 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 34 owner complaints for the 2000 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve electrical system (9) and exterior lighting (5). The EPA rates it 53 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
53mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2004
Owner complaints
34
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
34 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2000 – Aug 2015
- Electrical system9
- Exterior lighting5
- Air bags4
- Visibility3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Seat belts2
- Tires2
- Equipment1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
9 reports
“THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE 2000 INSIGHT. FIRST, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD BUT FOUND NOTHING. I GOT BACK IN AND THE SMELL CAME BACK AS I STARTED DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS GOT DIM FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN WENT OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR. THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHERE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS. I TRIED THE HIGH BEAM AND IT WORKED. I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. I CHECKED WITH HONDA AND THEY SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE INSIGHT, BUT THEIR RECORDS SHOWED A REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, SO THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. I THINK THE REPAIR IN THE RECALL MAY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE BUT DOES NOT PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. OR THEY DIDN'T DO THE RECALL PROCEDURE PROPERLY. HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS. IT IS DANGEROUS AND THEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT. *TR”
Exterior lighting
5 reports
“HONDA INSIGHT 2000 LOW BEAM LIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HONDA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR BECAUSE MY VIN DID NOT SHOW A RECALL. THE HONDA INSIGHT 2000 IS LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE OWNED MANY HONDAS IN THE PAST, BUT NOW AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANY HONDA PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE.”
Air bags
4 reports
“DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA ACCORD. THE SRS LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND STAYING ON. THE CONTACT CALLED HONDA AND THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 02V080000. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON 9-30-05, AND THEY DIAGNOSED CODE 15.3 (ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE) WHICH WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CODE WAS CLEARED. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED $110.00. THE CONTACT CALLED HONDA AGAIN AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. HONDA SAID THAT THEY WOULD OPEN UP A CASE FOR HER TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THECONTACT'S V EHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THEREFORE, AND SHE WILL NOT RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
- Engines
- 1.0L 3-cyl hybrid
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insight Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 49 | 61 | 53 | $1,200 | 168 |
- 53mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Honda Insight as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 4173
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2000 Insight questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Honda Insight have?
1 safety recall as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2000 Honda Insight problems?
Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (9), exterior lighting (5), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2000 Honda Insight get?
The EPA rates the 2000 Honda Insight at 53 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026