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Research · Midsize Cars

2020 Honda InsightRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2020 Honda Insight. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (12) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 48–52 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
48–52mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
31
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$1,250est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Mar 25, 2021NHTSA 21V215000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

31 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2020 – Aug 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance12
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Power train5
  4. Engine4
  5. Service brakes3
  6. Structure3
  7. Steering2
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1

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

Forward collision avoidance

12 reports1 crash
“I was driving to Pilates class and everything was normal but as I reached a railroad crossing the car suddenly and for no reason stopped dead on the tracks. Luckily for me there were no vehicles in front or behind me and there were no trains coming. I was terrified and wasn’t sure what to do but I pushed the Drive button and the vehicle went ahead as if nothing happened.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11754308

Electrical system

7 reports
“Battery keeps draining. On my 3rd battery and believe there’s a defect in the DC/DC converter (earlier recall - K9E). This has caused issues being stranded in the cold.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2026Electrical systemODI 11714605

Power train

5 reports1 crash
“I believe the tire, wheel or suspension system failed while driving on the highway, causing me to hit my head on the driver's window and lose cosciousness. I skidded into a concrete barrier on the right side of the highway and was found unconscious at the scene. The damage to the passenger side body of the vehicle is minor and does not match the catastrophic failure of the wheel, leading me to believe the wheel failed and caused the crash, not that the crash resulted in the damage to the wheel. The vehicle is currently at a tow lot and available for inspection. Luckily, no other vehicles were involved, but I was injured and could have easily been killed, or injured and killed others as it is a busy highway, especially during rush hour when this occurred. Inspection by the insurance company is pending. The police did not investigate as a safety incident because they immediately said on site that almost all single vehicle accidents are drug/alcohol related and treated it like a DUI stop. I passed field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer on scene and blood work at the hospital showed no drugs or alcohol in my system. I am missing time and memories starting about 5…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2023Suspension, Power train, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11510208
All 2020 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
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
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 (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
554952$1,250170
Insight Touring
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
514548$1,350184
  • Insight
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    55 city · 49 hwy · $1,250/yr
    52
    mpg comb.
  • Insight Touring
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    51 city · 45 hwy · $1,350/yr
    48
    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
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda INSIGHT 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 14485
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

2020 Insight questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Insight have?

6 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 2020 Honda Insight problems?

Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (12), electrical system (7), power train (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Honda Insight get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Honda Insight at 48–52 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Honda Insight?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Honda Insight 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026