2013 Honda Insight Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

A five-door, five-seat hybrid hatchback with Honda's IMA hybrid system. Not the same car as the 2019–2022 or 2000–2006 Insight.

Caution

Ranks 4th of the 5 years of the 2010–2014 Insight we score.

Owner complaints: 45; 4 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 59.5; 6,894 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 2.1×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 27; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 6
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating

← 2012 Insight 2014 Insight →

Should You Buy the 2013 Honda Insight?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2013 Honda Insight is 61 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 2.1 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 4th of the 5 years of the 2010–2014 Insight we score.

The most reported problem is high oil consumption, mostly burning or using oil (26 of 45 complaints). Owners also complain about the ignition coil or spark plug and piston rings or cylinders. 27 of the 45 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 6 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the engine. For comparison, the 2012 scores 61 and the 2014 scores 84.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 16-101 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 2.1 times the problems of the average car its age
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil26 complaints
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure9 complaints
Piston rings failure9 complaints

How the 2013 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
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems27 complaints · average car: about 9.7	2.5×	−25
Everyday problems14 complaints · average car: about 14	1.0×	−8
Problems in the last two years1 complaint · average car: about 1.1	Not counted	–
Recalls6 recalls · average car: about 5.2	1.1×	−6
Score		61

The last two years are not counted for the 2013 Insight. Honda made 6,894 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 1.9 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 45 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 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 45.

Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
26 complaints (58%)
Burning or using oil. 2 of these 26 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 67,000 miles.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
9 complaints (20%)
A failure, damage and rough running or misfires. 1 of these 9 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Piston rings failure
9 complaints (20%)
A failure and damage. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Engine: stalling
8 complaints (18%)
Stalling, unusual noises and damage. 3 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 61,000 miles.
Engine failure
6 complaints (13%)
A failure that needed a new part and locking up. 5 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
3 complaints (7%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Stall (cause not stated)
3 complaints (7%)
Stalling. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
CVT failure
2 complaints (4%)
A failure. Both describe a serious outcome.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (4%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Valve train: damage
2 complaints (4%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (12)

Show the 12 problems reported once

12V battery failure
Control module (unspecified) failure
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
Hybrid battery failure
Interior trim: sun visor droops and will not stay up
Noise (cause not stated)
Emission exhaust sensors failure
Flywheel failure
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Seat belts: not releasing
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
Vibration (cause not stated)

How the 2013 Honda Insight Compares With Other Years

The other Insight years of the 2nd generation, 2010 to 2014.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2014	Excellent	84	0.34×	8.9	3	–
2013 This year	Caution	61	2.1×	59.5	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2012	Caution	61	2.0×	74.2	8	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2011	Good	78	0.42×	14.7	10	Tires: early wear
2010	Good	76	0.50×	17.3	10	Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)

See every Insight year

2013 Honda Insight Recalls

Six recalls cover the 2013 Honda Insight. The most recent was issued in June 2019: “Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V500000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 67% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag Inflator
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, September 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V661000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 78% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, January 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V042000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 72% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V061000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 3, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 82% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2013 Honda Insight Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension and five customer support programs for the 2013 Honda Insight, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the airbags and engine. One has ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 16-101
High oil consumption from clogged oil control rings
The problem:
Carbon deposits can clog the engine's oil control rings. The engine can then use too much oil or misfire, and the cylinders or cylinder head can be damaged.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the engine for free, in most cases with new pistons, pins, rings and spark plugs. Some cars get a new cylinder head or engine short block.
Who qualifies:
An engine oil consumption test must show unusually high oil use. Honda must approve the repair. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
8 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, for engine repairs after the oil consumption test shows unusually high oil use.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-055, 19-003 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
3 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-055: Covered until January 31, 2028.
19-003: Covered until September 30, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 18-055 (PDF)Bulletin 19-003 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-011
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-048, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2013 Honda Insight NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2013 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 DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2013 Insight ratings on NHTSA.gov.

5-door hatchback FWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2013 Insight, from its six 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.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 19V500000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019 NHTSA 19V502000
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag Inflator NHTSA 19V378000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, September 2018 NHTSA 18V661000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, January 2018 NHTSA 18V042000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

16-101: high oil consumption from clogged oil control rings

On the Test Drive

Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
Have the engine scanned for stored misfire codes. A rough idle or a flashing check-engine light is a warning sign.
Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.

Ask the Seller

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

High oil consumption
Ignition coil or spark plug
Piston rings or cylinders
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.