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Research · Compact Cars

2010 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints for the 2010 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve air bags (57) and structure (15). The EPA rates it 41 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
41mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
119
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

119 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2010 – Jun 2026
  1. Air bags57
  2. Structure15
  3. Service brakes12
  4. Vehicle speed control8
  5. Exterior lighting7
  6. Electrical system7
  7. Seat belts6
  8. Suspension5
  9. Engine4

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
21
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

57 reports11 crashes
“The contact is a police officer with the Florida Highway Patrol. The deceased owned a 2010 Honda Insight. The vehicle was at a stop sign attempting to traverse an intersection. The deceased struck the left front of another vehicle that was in the intersection with the front end of the vehicle. The air bag deployed, the other vehicle's air bag did not deploy. The deceased was transported by ambulance and pronounced dead at a trauma center. The air bag was identified as a Takata air bag, and following an autopsy, one metal fragment from the inflator was found lodged in the deceased's chest. The Florida Highway Patrol was on the scene and filed a report. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11515983

Structure

15 reports1 crash
“I've been told that my car is unsafe to drive and unable to pass inspection because the rear subframe is corroded at the suspension mounting points which might cause the rear suspension to fail.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2026StructureODI 11743548

Service brakes

12 reports8 crashes
“AS I WAS GOING TO PARK MY 2010 INSIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT BETWEEN TWO CARS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED OUT OF CONTROL HITTING THE CAR ON MY LEFT, THEN PROCEEDED TO SLAM INTO A METAL BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE SPOT, THEN FLEW UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND SLAMMED DOWN ONTO THE CAR ON MY RIGHT. I HAD NO USE OF THE BRAKES OR CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE METAL BARRIER BROKE THE CAR FROM MOVING--HAD IT NOT BEEN THERE MY CAR WOULD HAVE DROPPED TO THE LEVEL BELOW ONTO PARKED CAR--IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I LIVE IN CA AND THIS IS DEEMED MY FAULT--ALTHOUGH IT WAS BEYOND MY CONTROL. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND ON ONE WEBSITE THAT 17 CONSUMERS EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR ACCIDENT/ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO WARNINGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH HYBRID VEHICLES--EXCEPT THE TOYOTA RECALL. THESE CARS ARE AN ENDANGERMENT TO THE THE DRIVER, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS AND PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CAR IF THEY ARE WALKING NEAR IT. HERE IS A GOOGLE DRIVE LINK OF PICTURES FROM THE SCENE: HTTPS://DRIVE.GOOGLE.COM/DRIVE/FOLDERS/1M1WKRXOOCXHKIRZNU0FEDKIEZ7GKBY28 PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INCIDENT IS COSTING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AS WELL, I'M CURRENTLY NOT WORKING AND BECAUSE OF MY FEAR OF THE CAR I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2019Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11257092
All 2010 Insight problemsSend 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
Compact Cars
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · 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
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
404341$1,550217
Insight
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
404341$1,550217
  • Insight
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    40 city · 43 hwy · $1,550/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
  • Insight
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    40 city · 43 hwy · $1,550/yr
    41
    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 2010 Honda Insight as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5442
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

2010 Insight questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Honda Insight have?

10 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2010 Honda Insight problems?

Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (57), structure (15), service brakes (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Honda Insight get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Honda Insight at 41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026