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
2001 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints for the 2001 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve power train (5) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 47–53 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
47–53mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Feb 2004
Owner complaints
25
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Air bags: frontal
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
25 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2001 – Nov 2018
- Power train5
- Air bags5
- Exterior lighting4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Electrical system3
- Structure1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Electronic stability control1
- Tires1
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
Power train
5 reports
“2001 HONDA CIVIC LX TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE HWY AT ABOUT 60MPH NO WARNING ENGINE JUST STARTING REVVING FROM WHAT I HEAR THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS YEAR OF HONDAS. *TR”
Air bags
5 reports1 crash
“HONDA SENT ME A LETTER ASKING ME TO BRING MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR AIRBAG RECALL. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALER IN SANTA ANA CALIFORNIA TO PLAN TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM ON SATURDAY WHEN I COULD BE OFF FROM THE WORK. THE HONDA DEALER SAID ON SATURDAY THEY ONLY DO "REGULAR SERVICES", NOT RECALL REPAIR. THEN TODAY I TOOK A DAY OFF FROM THE WORK TO GO TO THE HONDA DEALER, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS, AND ASKED ME TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK. IS THIS RECALL UNIMPORTANT? WHY CAN THEY DO REVENUE-SERVICE BUT NOT RECALL-SERVICE ON WEEKEND? WHY DON'T THEY EVEN HAVE PARTS IN STOCK FOR RECALL? ARE HONDA AND HONDA DEALERS HANDLING THE RECALL IN A PROFESSIONAL AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER? *TR”
Exterior lighting
4 reports
“LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED W/O WARNING OR EXTERNAL CAUSE. WORKED ONE DAY BUT NOT THE NEXT MORNING. NO OBVIOUS FUSE OR RELAY IS THE CAUSE. FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INADEQUATELY DESIGNED SWITCH THAT WS PRONE TO FAILURE BY GOOGLING THE FAILURE, WHICH HWAS COVERED BY A RECALL. HONDA'S WEBSITE VIN SEARCH SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS CAR. LOCAL DEALER SAYS RECAL WAS SATISFIED IN 2010. SEEMS THERE IS STILL AN INADEQUATELY DESIGNED SWITCH THAT CAN RESULT IN COMPLETE AND SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
- Engines
- 1.0L 3-cyl hybrid
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- 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, SIL · Front-Wheel Drive | 48 | 60 | 53 | $1,200 | 168 |
| Insight Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 45 | 49 | 47 | $1,350 | 189 |
| Insight Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 45 | 49 | 47 | $1,350 | 189 |
- 53mpg comb.
- 47mpg comb.
- 47mpg 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 2001 Honda Insight as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 4260
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.
2001 Insight questions
How many recalls does the 2001 Honda Insight have?
2 safety recalls 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 2001 Honda Insight problems?
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (5), air bags (5), exterior lighting (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2001 Honda Insight get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Honda Insight at 47–53 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026