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Research · Compact Cars

2011 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2011 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve air bags (28) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
41
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
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 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 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, 2011-2013 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 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Aug 2026
  1. Air bags28
  2. Engine5
  3. Vehicle speed control3
  4. Wheels2
  5. Seat belts2
  6. Power train1
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Hybrid propulsion system1
  9. Structure1

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

28 reports2 crashes
“I GOT A NOTICE THAT BOTH AIRBAGS ON MY CAR WERE FAULTY AND THAT HONDA WOULD FIX THEM FOR FREE. THE PARTS DIDN'T COME IN FOR 3 OR 4 MONTHS. I WAS COMMUTING 400 MILES A WEEK FOR WORK AND ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR ME UNTIL THEN. THEY WOULD FURNISH THE CAR BUT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSURANCE ON IT. THEY TOLD ME TO GET IT INSURED BY MY OWN PERSONAL AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT AND NEITHER WOULD ANY OTHER. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THE $20.00 A DAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR INSURANCE I HAD TO JUST TAKE MY CHANCES OF SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IN THE EVENT OF MY AIRBAGS GOING OFF. MY 82 YEAR OLD MOTHER RODE IN THAT CAR TO HER DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND THE GROCERY. WE BOTH HAVE COPD AND I HAVE A PACEMAKER. THE STRESS THE SITUATION CAUSED WAS STAGGERING AND CERTAINLY NOT GOOD FOR EITHER OF US. WHAT GOOD DID IT DO FOR HONDA TO INFORM ME OF THE RECALL IF THEY COULDN'T FIX IT RIGHT AWAY AND WOULD NOT PAY THE INSURANCE SO I COULD GET A RENTAL CAR? I GUESS THE SICK AND ELDERLY DON'T MATTER TO A BIG COMPANY LIKE HONDA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2016Air bagsODI 10935002

Engine

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor mounts had failed and needed to be replaced. The motor mounts were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the warranty might be honored. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026EngineODI 11757687

Vehicle speed control

3 reports1 crash
“THIS MORNING (AUG 6, 2016), MYSELF AND MY DAD MET WITH AN ACCIDENT AND WAS DRIVING HONDA INSIGHT 2011 LX MODEL. NOTE THAT MY DAD WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LET ME DESCRIBE THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS GROCERY STORE IN THE PARKING AVAILABLE SPOT JUST FACING SPROUTS. SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR AND THE SPEED WAS AROUND 5MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I COULD FEEL MY INSIGHT ENGINE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE LEG BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T SPEED UP. SUDDENLY, THE INSIGHT STARTED SPEEDING UP AND DIDN'T STOP EVEN AFTER SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE AND IT JUMPED ON THE PARKING CURB AND FINALLY HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR IN FRONT OF SPROUTS RESULTING IN DEPLOYING THE DRIVER AIR-BAG AND THE PASSENGER AIR-BAGS. MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A DEEP CRACK AND I BELIEVE MY CAR IS GOING TO BE TOTALLED. WITH THAT, IT DIDN'T STOP, AFTER HITTING SO HARD THE CONCRETE WALL, REMEMBER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE AND NOT IN REVERSE MODE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS AND EVEN DIDN'T STOP AFTER SLAMMING ON THE LEG BRAKE. THEN I CAME OUT OF THE SHOCK AND…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2016Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10895950
All 2011 Insight problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 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 29, 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
394140$1,600222
Insight
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
394140$1,600222
  • Insight
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    39 city · 41 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
  • Insight
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    39 city · 41 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 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 2011 Honda Insight as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 294
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

2011 Insight questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Honda Insight have?

10 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 2011 Honda Insight problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (28), engine (5), vehicle speed control (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Honda Insight get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Honda Insight at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026