Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

2013 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve engine (31) and air bags (8). 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
6campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
45
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 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 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

45 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2013 – Nov 2025
  1. Engine31
  2. Air bags8
  3. Power train7
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Fuel/propulsion system4
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Visibility/wiper1
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Exterior lighting1

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
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
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

Engine

31 reports2 fires
“I have had a 2013 Honda Insight since September 2024 and I have complained about excessive oil consumption since October 2024.This past Saturday my car stopped on the highway when I tried to accelerate. It was towed to Honda and the diagnostic comes back as piston ring replacement with spark plugs. Last November I had 2 spark plugs replaced and my ignition coils. There was an ESB put out by Honda but I was not the current owner then so Honda doesn’t want to cover the cost. I also have contacted the dealership, that is not a certified reseller of Honda, mark Sweeney Buick of Cincinnati, Ohio but since I signed an As Is contract they stated they wouldn’t assist. The first week I got the car there were problems. I feel like mark Sweeney didn’t fully check their car before it was sold. Honda clearly saw that customers were having issues with the oil consumption, otherwise they wouldn’t have put out an 2 ESBs in the first place. I’d really like some assistance on this problem if possible. Attached will be both quotes, 1 from Nov 2024 were actually work was done and the other is what currently needs to be fixed on the car, mainly the piston rings and spark plugs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2025EngineODI 11700069

Air bags

8 reports1 crash
“I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE HIGH WAY DRIVING NORMALLY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WENT OFF, I HIT MY BRAKES IMMEDIATELY OUT OF FEAR. MY HAND WAS CUT, BRUISED AND SLIGHTLY BLEEDING. LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS MODEL OF CAR IS IN RECALL, YET MY VIN ISN'T ONE OF THEM. IT SCARES ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TICKING TIME BOMB SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. I FEEL LOST SINCE HONDA SAYS MY CAR ISN'T ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, YET WHY WOULD MY AIR BAG JUST DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2017Air bagsODI 10955304

Power train

7 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that vehicle failed to respond after shifting the transmission to the desired gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2023Power trainODI 11538658
All 2013 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
404241$1,550216
Insight
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
404241$1,550216
  • Insight
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    40 city · 42 hwy · $1,550/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
  • Insight
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    40 city · 42 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 2013 Honda Insight as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7258
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

2013 Insight questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Honda Insight have?

6 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 2013 Honda Insight problems?

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (31), air bags (8), power train (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Honda Insight get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Honda Insight at 41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026