Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Two Seaters

2004 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2004 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and exterior lighting (1). The EPA rates it 47–52 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
47–52mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
2
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,250est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Honda Insight as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2012 – Mar 2018
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Exterior lighting1
  3. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Insight model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200034
200125
200224
200329
20042
20052
20062
2010119
201141
201259
201345
20145
201999
202031
202125
202233
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“WHILE I WAA DRIVING TO WORK SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY STEERING COLUMN AND MY LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING. I BELIEVE THE LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE RECALL ON 2000-2001 HONDA INSIGHTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11081903

Exterior lighting

1 report

Suspension

1 report
“CONTROL ARM CRACKED AND SPLIT WHILE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AN UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM, ONLY LOWER (MADE OF ALUMINUM FOR WEIGHT REDUCTION). IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR EVEN WORSE, DEAD. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2012SuspensionODI 10463936
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 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 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Insight
Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
485852$1,250171
Insight
Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
454947$1,350189
  • Insight
    Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L
    48 city · 58 hwy · $1,250/yr
    52
    mpg comb.
  • Insight
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.0 L
    45 city · 49 hwy · $1,350/yr
    47
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Honda Insight as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1153
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2004 Insight questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Insight have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 Honda Insight problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), exterior lighting (1), suspension (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Honda Insight get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Honda Insight at 47–52 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026