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2001 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.

66out of 100
Caution

Ranks 2nd of the 2 years of the 2000–2006 Insight we score.

Owner complaints
15
1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars
41.1
3,408 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car
1.5×
same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes
8
crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls
2
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated
no overall rating before 2011
Honda Insight, 1st generation (2000–2006)
← 2000 Insight2002 Insight →

Should You Buy the 2001 Honda Insight?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2001 Honda Insight is 66 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.5 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 2nd of the 2 years of the 2000–2006 Insight we score.

The most reported problem is the headlights, mostly stopped working (4 of 15 complaints). Owners also complain about fires. 8 of the 15 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 2 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the hybrid system. For comparison, the 2000 scores 69.

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

  • About 1.5 times the problems of the average car its age
  • Headlights: stopped working4 complaints
  • Vehicle fire (cause not stated)2 complaints

How the 2001 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

Score breakdown
ItemVs averagePoints lost
Starting score100
Serious problems8 complaints · average car: about 4.01.7×−22
Everyday problems6 complaints · average car: about 6.90.90×−7
Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: under 0.1Not counted–
Recalls2 recalls · average car: about 3.20.78×−5
Score66

The last two years are not counted for the 2001 Insight. Honda made 3,408 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 15 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 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 15.

  1. Headlights: stopped working

    4 complaints (27%)

    A feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 162,000 miles.

  2. Vehicle fire (cause not stated)

    2 complaints (13%)

    A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.

Reported Once (11)

Show the 11 problems reported once
  • CVT: vibration or shudder
  • Airbags failure
  • Brakes: skidded out of control when braking
  • Check engine light (cause not stated)
  • Engine failure
  • Hybrid battery: a loss of power
  • Manual transmission or clutch: slipping
  • Headlight switch: damage
  • Hydroplaning on wet road (cause not stated)
  • Steering: pulling or wandering
  • Tires: parts breaking or coming apart

How the 2001 Honda Insight Compares With Other Years

The other Insight years of the 1st generation, 2000 to 2006.

YearRatingScoreVs averagePer 10k carsRecallsMost reported problem
2006Not scored––24.91–
2005Not scored––34.60–
2004Not scored––37.40–
2003Not scored––29.70–
2002Not scored––59.91Headlights: stopped working
2001 This yearCaution661.5×41.12Headlights: stopped working
2000Caution691.2×41.41Headlights: stopped working
See every Insight year

2001 Honda Insight Recalls

Two recalls cover the 2001 Honda Insight. The most recent was issued in February 2004: “Low Beam Lighting.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are 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.

  • Air Bag Modules

    On certain passenger vehicles, some of the passenger air bag modules were not properly welded and may not deploy in a collision. The seat occupant may not be properly protected in the event of a collision, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    NHTSA 02V196000Issued Jul 24, 2002.

2001 Honda Insight Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension for the 2001 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.
    Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2001 Honda Insight NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2001 Honda Insight. It has closed.

  • Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles

    Closed

    A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including the Insight, the CR-Z and the Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.

    NHTSA DP22005Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2001 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 2001 Insight ratings on NHTSA.gov.

2-door

OverallNot rated
Frontal crashNot rated
Driver seat4/5
Passenger seat4/5
Side crashNot rated
Front seat4/5
Rear seatNot rated
RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2001 Insight, from its two recalls, 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.

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

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

  • Headlights
  • Fires
  • 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

All Insight Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.