Which Years Of Used Honda Insights Are Most Reliable?
Honda Insight Touring by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle that has played a significant role in the automotive industry’s shift toward sustainability. Launched by Honda in 1999, the Insight has become a symbol of innovation, efficiency, and environmental consciousness.
Featuring a distinctive aerodynamic design, the first-generation Insight was built with a lightweight aluminum body and a 3-cylinder engine. It set new standards for fuel efficiency and became a favorite among eco-conscious drivers. The second generation was introduced in 2009, with a complete redesign to appeal to a broader audience and compete with the Toyota Prius.
Then in 2019, Honda brought back the Insight with a more modern sedan appearance. On top of best-in-class fuel economy, the Insight also offers a luxurious interior and advanced technology features.
THE HONDA INSIGHT YEARS TO AVOID
Recognizing the Honda Insight years to avoid can guide you towards a model that’s more likely to provide the dependable, eco-friendly performance Honda is known for.
With that said, is the Honda Insight a reliable vehicle? If you’re wondering about the most reliable Honda Insight year, you’ve come to the right place. Today, let’s highlight every generation’s most reliable and least reliable Insights. Let’s take a look.
2000-2006 Honda Insight (1st Generation)
When considering a first-gen Insight, one of your primary concerns would be the condition of the batteries, especially when it’s early hybrid technology.
Avoid: 2001-2003 Honda Insight
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with early Honda Insights, it’s hard to recommend due to their age and outdated technology. As mentioned, the first generation Insight was launched alongside early hybrid technology, so don’t expect nearly as good as modern hybrid vehicles. For instance, user complaints and forum conversations show that the batteries from early Honda Insights tend to fail around 100k-120k miles.
In reality, a car like the first-gen Insight won’t exist today due to its smaller size and lack of crash standards. The smaller size means you’ll have space for only two people, plus you’ll have little to no cargo capacity.
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Buy: 2006 Honda Insight
The last of the first-gen Insight is worth considering, especially regarding reliability and fuel efficiency. The 2006 Honda Insight had the distinction as the most fuel-efficient car sold in the States during that year, beating out the Toyota Prius, with the manual transmission capable of achieving 66 highway miles per gallon.
While it’s an older model, the 2006 Honda Insight is worth the look, especially if you can get the manual version. The CVT transmission doesn’t just have lower fuel economy; they’re also notorious for failing. However, just keep in mind the limitations of the first-gen Honda Insights before purchasing.
2010-2014 Honda Insight (2nd Generation)
The second generation of the Honda Insight was introduced in 2009 with a complete redesign. It adopted a more conventional five-door hatchback design with improved interior space and comfort.
Avoid: 2010 Honda Insight
At CoPilot, we often advise our readers to avoid the first production years of a new model or generation, which applies to the 2010 Insight. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2010 Insight has 163 complaints and a whopping ten recalls.
One of the main issues of the 2010 Honda Insight is the airbags, which were a part of the infamous Takata recall. Many consumers complained about specific incidents where airbags failed to deploy, deployed with excessive force, or where warning indicators remained illuminated. Some incidents resulted in injuries, and others were related to recall issues.
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If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.
Buy: 2011 Honda Insight
The 2011 Insight shared many of the issues of the 2010 model year, but it’s still a good pick for the most reliable Honda Insight year. CarComplaints has documented 61 complaints and ten recalls for the 2011 Insight. This model was also included with the Takata recall, so check the airbags to see if they’ve been replaced.
As such, the 2011 Insight is a solid option for a used hybrid with high safety scores, feel-good braking and steering, and top-notch fuel economy with 40⁄43 mpg city/highway ratings.
Avoid: 2012 Honda Insight
CarComplaints says the 2012 Honda Insight is the worst model year for the hybrid vehicle. This model received 152 complaints and eight recalls. However, its primary issues were severe: excessive oil consumption and engine failure.
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With over 70 written complaints, the 2012 Insight struggled with excessive oil consumption. Owners have reported that the engine consumes oil unusually highly, requiring frequent top-offs between regular oil changes. This can lead to other engine problems if not addressed.
On the other hand, engine issues have also plagued the 2012 Honda Insight. Several owner complaints describe instances where vehicles stalled or lost power while driving, including on highways. This has created dangerous situations; in some cases, the car was not drivable afterward. The problems have caused owners significant expenses, including oil, spark plugs, engine repairs, and replacement costs.
2019-2022 Honda Insight (3rd Generation)
The modern Insight was introduced with the 2019 model and is one of the class-leading cars that don’t have to be plugged in. It’s based on the Civic sedan platform and has roughly the same pros and cons.
Buy: 2019 Honda Insight
With class-leading fuel economy (better than Prius) and top-notch reliability, the 2019 model is the most reliable Honda Insight year in the third-gen lineup. CarComplaints has listed 66 complaints and six recalls for the 2019 Insight.
The 2019 Insight offers smooth acceleration and balances fuel economy well. It can run on electric propulsion alone for about a mile at lower speeds. The car provides a comfortable and refined ride with solid handling, soaking up bumps well and steering responsively. EPA ratings vary between trims, with the Insight achieving 47 mpg on the highway test.
Buy: 2020 Honda Insight
The 2020 Insight is another compelling package for the Honda hybrid. It was praised for its quality interior, a wealth of standard safety features, peppy acceleration, controlled ride and handling, and top-notch fuel efficiency. Furthermore, this model year received only a handful of complaints, many of which were regarding electrical issues.
The 2020 Honda Insight is generally regarded as a reliable vehicle. Its strengths lie in its well-engineered hybrid system, quality construction, safety features, and Honda’s overall reputation for reliability – genuinely deserving of being called the most reliable Honda Insight year.
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