2000 Honda Insight Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026
A two-seat hybrid hatchback with an aluminum body and Honda's IMA hybrid system. Not the same car as the 2019–2022 or 2010–2014 Insight.
Ranks 1st of the 2 years of the 2000–2006 Insight we score.
- Owner complaints
- 24
- 1 is a recall notice
- Per 10,000 cars
- 41.4
- 5,560 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.2×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 8
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 1
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating before 2011
Should You Buy the 2000 Honda Insight?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2000 Honda Insight is 69 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.2 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 1st of the 2 years of the 2000–2006 Insight we score.
The most reported problem is the headlights, mostly stopped working (5 of 24 complaints). Owners also complain about the hybrid or high-voltage battery and seat belts. 8 of the 24 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 1 recall. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the hybrid system. For comparison, the 2001 scores 66.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 06-057 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 1 Honda warranty extension may cover repairs
Cons
- Headlights: stopped working5 complaints
- Hybrid battery: a loss of power4 complaints
- Seat belts failure3 complaints
How the 2000 Insight Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems8 complaints · average car: about 6.6 | 1.2× | −18 |
| Everyday problems15 complaints · average car: about 11 | 1.3× | −8 |
| Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: under 0.1 | Not counted | – |
| Recalls1 recall · average car: about 3.3 | 0.58× | −5 |
| Score | 69 |
The last two years are not counted for the 2000 Insight. Honda made 5,560 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get under 0.1 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.
Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.
What Owners Report
We read all 24 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Honda Insight, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 24.
Headlights: stopped working
5 complaints (21%)
A feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 165,000 miles.
Hybrid battery: a loss of power
4 complaints (17%)
A loss of power. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Seat belts failure
3 complaints (13%)
A failure and not releasing.
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (8%)
Deployment with no crash. Both describe a serious outcome, most often an injury.
Hybrid system (inverter, motor, IPU): a loss of power
2 complaints (8%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
2 complaints (8%)
Wrong readings and a feature that stopped working.
Paint and rust: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (8%)
Rust or corrosion.
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (8%)
Shattering or cracking.
Reported Once (11)
Show the 11 problems reported once
- Check engine light (cause not stated)
- Control module (unspecified) failure
- Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
- Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
- Wheel studs and lug nuts: parts breaking or coming apart
- Oxygen sensor: fault code
- Power windows or regulator: stopped working
- Steering: stopped working
- Tires failure
- Wheel rim: damage
- Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
How the 2000 Honda Insight Compares With Other Years
The other Insight years of the 1st generation, 2000 to 2006.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Not scored | – | – | 24.9 | 1 | – |
| 2005 | Not scored | – | – | 34.6 | 0 | – |
| 2004 | Not scored | – | – | 37.4 | 0 | – |
| 2003 | Not scored | – | – | 29.7 | 0 | – |
| 2002 | Not scored | – | – | 59.9 | 1 | Headlights: stopped working |
| 2001 | Caution | 66 | 1.5× | 41.1 | 2 | Headlights: stopped working |
| 2000 This year | Caution | 69 | 1.2× | 41.4 | 1 | Headlights: stopped working |
2000 Honda Insight Recalls
One recall covers the 2000 Honda Insight. It was issued in February 2004: “Low Beam Lighting.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows whether it is still open on a given car.
Low Beam Lighting
On certain passenger vehicles, the low-beam terminal on the head light wire harness can overheat and could cause the low beams to fail without warning. An unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash.
NHTSA 04V086000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 24, 2004.
2000 Honda Insight Warranty Extensions and Programs
Honda has one warranty extension for the 2000 Honda Insight, separate from its recalls. It is for a problem with the hybrid system. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionHonda 06-057
Hybrid IMA battery module failure
- The problem:
- The hybrid battery module can fail. If the IMA light on the dashboard stays on while driving, Honda asks owners to have a Honda dealer inspect the car.
- The fix:
- A Honda dealer replaces the failed hybrid battery module for free, along with the battery condition monitor. Owners who paid for this repair before may be repaid.
- Who qualifies:
- Cars registered in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada or Texas are covered by a separate program instead. A Honda dealer must find a battery module problem. Salvage or branded titles are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. No start date given. Some cars get 157,500 miles. Ask a Honda dealer for the exact terms.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA gave the 2000 Insight no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2000 Insight ratings on NHTSA.gov.
2-door
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2000 Insight, from its recall, a Honda warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Low Beam Lighting NHTSA 04V086000
Ask a Honda Dealer
Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- 06-057: Hybrid IMA battery module failure
On the Test Drive
- Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.
- Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Headlights
- Hybrid or high-voltage battery
- Seat belts
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next