HONDA INSIGHT · model year

2012 HONDA INSIGHT

66 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012HONDAINSIGHT carries 66 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 INSIGHT is engine with 36 filings, followed by air bags (11) and unknown or other (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2012 INSIGHT, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

66
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

66 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE36
AIR BAGS11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SEATS2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
SERVICE BRAKES1

Recalls (8)

17V54500031/08/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have in

18V66100027/09/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp

19V50200027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, 2010-201

18V26800026/04/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b

19V37800016/05/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V03000010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Hond

18V04200009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehi

16V06100003/02/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-20

Recent Complaints

20241218ENGINE

The car has only 83000 miles. We bought the vehicle 2 months ago from the estate of an individual that passed away. We were driving the vehicle and the gas pedal stopped working. Prior to this happening, we noticed no oil leak from the car. Per the manual we were checking oil level everytime we filled car up and would top it as it would be lower. We were driving the car on the highway and when we pressed on the gas pedal it stopped working, the car was not moving. Several lights came on the car, check engine etc. We took it to the dealership for a check and was told that the car needed a new engine at the tune of $17000. Honda Company stated that the car had no warranty on the engine and they would take no responsibility for failure. Was told engine block and piston 1 to 4 had misfire. No prior warning was given to us. The spark plugs for those pistons had melted the head.

20230915UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Roof and hood of car lost all paint and clear coat. Starting to rust

20230109ENGINE

Oil consumption issues. I can't drive my car 10 feet without dying. I was stuck in traffic when my car died from the issues. Look up TSB 15-015

20221005ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Insight. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact stated that the check engine, emissions, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park near a gas station. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an oil consumption test to completed. The dealer informed the contact that the pistons needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

20210419ENGINE

TTHIS CAR HAS SAFETY PROBLEMS BURNS OIL LIKE CRAZY , MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN 81 WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR WAS SHAKING SO SHE PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE POLICE WHO IMPOUNDED THE CAR 300 TO GET IT OUT THEN WE HAD IT TOWED OVER 100MILES . HONDA DEALER SAYS THE SPARK PLUG FAILED AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE . GETTING PRICES ON A NEW ENGINE .

Mileage: 76,883

20210304UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONS. CONTINUES TO LOCK ITSELF WHEN DRIVING, CONTINUES TO LOCK ITSELF WHEN SITTING AND CAR IS NOT RUNNING. ONGOING FOR MANY MONTHS. HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE, I'M OPTING TO DISCONNECT AND LIVE WITH MANUAL LOCKS.

20201112ENGINE

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, MY CAR BEGAN FLUTTERING AFTER I STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEGAN ACCELERATING. THE POWER FELT REDUCED AS WELL. LIKE MOST PEOPLE'S FIRST INSTINCT, I BEGAN CHECKING THE OIL AND NOTICED THE OIL APPEARED LOW ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT I HAD RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE NOT LONG BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. SINCE THEN I'VE HEAD TO CHECK THE OIL INCESSANTLY AND AM CONSTANTLY ADDING OIL TO SUPPLEMENT. THEN I BERGEN NOTICING AN OIL LEAK IN MY DRIVE WAY AND ALMOST ANYTIME I PARKED SOMEWHERE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON TELLING ME TO CHECK THE VEHICLE'S EMISSIONS SYSTEM. THIS WAS AN ISSUE I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. NOW I REALIZE THIS MESSAGE IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FINAL STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK WAS, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING ENGINE POWER AND COULD NOT GET ABOVE 65 MPH. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING LOUD PUTTERING NOISES, THAT WERE ESPECIALLY INTENSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COSTING AND IMMEDIATEL

Mileage: 130,200

20191019ENGINE

THIS CAR IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE OIL CONSUMPTION IS OUTRAGEOUS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 89K MILES ON IT. IT ALSO BURNS THROUGH SPARK PLUGS LIKE CRAZY, I'VE PROBABLY PUT CLOSE TO 500 DOLLARS INTO IT AT LEAST JUST IN OIL AND SPARK PLUGS THIS YEAR ALONE. IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN STRANGE NEIGHBORHOODS, PARKING LOTS, AT MY JOB, AND AT MY HOME BECAUSE OF IT THROWING THE SPARK PLUGS WITH NO WARNING. UPON CHANGING THE PLUGS, ALL CYLINDERS, ESPECIALLY FOUR, ARE FILLED WITH OIL. MOST RECENTLY, I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT, AND REFILLED THE OIL. A WEEK LATER, I FOUND MYSELF REPEATING THE SAME PROCESS BECAUSE IT KILLED THE PLUGS AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION, IN TRAFFIC, AND HAD MY DASH LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE 2012 AND 2013 ENGINE CONTAINS EXPERIMENTAL PISTON RINGS, WHICH ARE CLEARLY FAULTY. NOT JUST BY MY OWN ACCOUNT, BUT BY COUNTLESS OTHE

Mileage: 89,000

20190726ENGINE

I HAVE A 2012 HONDA INSIGHT WITH 80000 MILES AND AM HAVING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AT 1 QUART OF OIL PER 2000 MILES OF DRIVING PER THE DEALERSHIP. HONDA SAYS THIS IS ACCEPTABLE AND ONLY A PROBLEM AT 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES DRIVEN. I HAVE READ THE CONCERNS AND THE VEHICLE HAS POORLY SEATED RINGS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT ADMITTED BY HONDA. MY CONCERN IS THIS IS RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND RESULTING TOTAL LOSS OF POWER LEAVING PEOPLE WITH VEHICLES ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN THE ENGINE DROPS OUT TOTALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND OF COURSE CUSTOMER THEFT ISSUE.

Mileage: 68,000

20190430ENGINE

MY HONDA INSIGHT 2012 IS BURNING OIL. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE I DRIVE AROUND 800 MILES I'M 1/2 QUART LOW ON OIL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AT ALL.

Mileage: 72,429

20190215ENGINE

I HAVE A 2012 HONDA INSIGHT. ON 12/23/18 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER CUT OUT. THIS IS THE 3RD INCIDENT IN A ONE YEAR AND HALF WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN CUTTING THE POWER TO THE CAR. MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $1700. I COULDN'T GET IT FIXED I WAS GETTING ON A PLANE 3 DAYS LATER FOR THREE WEEKS. EVIDENTALLY IT HAS TO SOMETHING WITH THE EXCESS BURNING OF OIL GETTING TO THE SPARK PLUGS. I'VE FOUND WHERE OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM ALSO. ITS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. NOW I'M WITHOUT A CAR AGAIN. AT THIS TIME I AM WALKING WITH A WALKER AND NO CAR. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING! WHAT IS GOING ON.

Mileage: 95,000

20181216ENGINE

OIL CONSUMPTION AND SHAKING

Mileage: 112,000

20181216FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

OIL CONSUMPTION AND SHAKING

Mileage: 112,000

20181206ENGINE

CAR QUITE RUNNING ON BUSY INTERSTATE I MANAGED TO GET OFF NEAREST EXIT ALMOST GOT HIT BY SEVERAL VEHICLES.HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO AUTO SHOP THAT HAD REPLACED 8 SPARK PLUGS 8 MONTHES EARLIER. AUTOMOTIVE SHOP REPLACED PLUGS 8 PLUGS SAID THEY WHERE UNDER WARRANTY BUT FOUND NO COMPRESSION IN CYLINDERS.

Mileage: 119,000

20181203ENGINE

MY HONDA INSIGHT 2012 IS BURNING OIL. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE I DRIVE AROUND 3500 MILE AND THE RED ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK THE CAR ,LIKE 3-4 YEARS AGO, TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE PISTON RINGS UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST AROUND 3-4 YEARS. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AFTER AROUND 3500 MILE, I GET THE RED LIGHT. I TAKE IT TO DEALER AND DEALER STARTS OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY DID OIL CONSUMPTION TEST 4 OR 5 TIMES ALREADY. ONE TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO ADD 3.5 QUART OIL AND THE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SINCE PISTON RINGS ARE ALREADY REPLACED. I WAS INEXPERIENCED TO NOT GET A WRITTEN DOCUMENT STATING THEY ADDED 3.5 QUART OIL. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL CONTACT HONDA ABOUT IT. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY CALLED ME AND SAID HONDA THINKS IT IS NORMAL. RECENTLY DUE TO JOB CHANGE I DRIVE VERY LITTLE THAT IS WHY IT TAKES TIME FOR ME TO REGENERATE THE P

Mileage: 3,500

20180917ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO PRIORITY HONDA HAMPTON (LOCATED AT 4115 W MERCURY BLVD, HAMPTON, VA 23666, (757) 838-1252) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON THREE IN CYLINDER THREE, VALVE, AND ENGINE HEAD NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

20180917ENGINE

MY DAUGHTER'S HONDA INSIGHT EXPERIENCED THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. HER VEHICLE LATER HAD SEVERE ENGINE PROBLEMS AND STALLED AT 6:00 AM ON I-64. A HONDA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS DAMAGE TO CYLINDER, PISTON, CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES OF CYLINDER NUMBER 3. ALL OTHER CYLINDERS WERE WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE NOTICE SENT TO CONSUMERS OMITTED THAT THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AND AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMERS WITH LITTLE OR NO MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE WHO PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT BE AWARE OF THE RISK AND SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. THOSE WHO NOTICE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION MAY ASSUME THAT IT IS FROM AGE AND NOT A DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD PLACE THEIR LIFE IN DANGER. THE SERVICE BULLETIN SENT BY HONDA TO ITS DEALERSHIPS IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THAT PROVIDED THE CONSUMER WITH ONE EXCEPTION. THE SERVICE BULLETIN INCLUDED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DESCRIBING THE POTEN

Mileage: 136,113

20170917SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN THE DRIVER STEP ON IT'S BRAKING SYSTEMS BY FOOT TO STOP THE THIS CAR, IT WILL STARTS TO WOBBLE IT'S BACK BODY OF THIS CAR AND SHAKES IT SEEMS THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON IT'S BOTH REAR BRAKING SYSTEM ARE DRAGGING IN EVERY TIME WE STEP ON IT'S BRAKING SYSTEM. IT WILL RATTLE THE DRIVERS WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM IT'S REAR BODY WILL SHAKES AND WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDES BEFORE IT WILL COMPLETELY STOPS THIS CAR. DURING RUNNING WHEN THE DRIVER WILL STEP THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE REAR OF THE CAR WILL WOBBLES / SHAKING AND DRAGGING IT'S REAR BRAKING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE NEW DRIVER PERSON TO DRIVE SHE / HE MAY PANIC AND CAUSE TO CRASH THE THIS CAR.

Mileage: 55,000

20170614UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. CHECK EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT ON, LOW OIL HOWEVER OIL LIGHT DOES NOT ALERT ME. HAVE TO REGULARLY ADD OIL BETWEEN RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES.

20170606ENGINE

THE SPARK PLUGS FAILED DURING DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS FAILED BECAUSE 2 OF THE CYLINDERS WERE BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. HONDA HAS RECALLED THIS CAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BUT HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSEMENT ME AFTER I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED.

Mileage: 84,000

Compare 2012HONDAINSIGHT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT have?
The 2012 HONDA INSIGHT has 66 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT?
The 2012 HONDA INSIGHT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT?
Yes, the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT?
The most-complained component for the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT is ENGINE with 36 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2012 HONDA INSIGHT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 HONDA INSIGHT has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.