2020 Honda Insight Reliability Report

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

A five-seat hybrid sedan on the Civic's platform, with a two-motor hybrid system. Not the same car as the 2010–2014 or 2000–2006 Insight.

Good

Ranks 3rd of the 4 years of the 2019–2022 Insight we score.

Owner complaints: 31
Per 10,000 cars: 20.3; 15,275 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.3×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 21; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 6
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2019 Insight 2021 Insight →

Should You Buy the 2020 Honda Insight?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2020 Honda Insight is 70 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about 1.3 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 3rd of the 4 years of the 2019–2022 Insight we score.

The most reported problem is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead (9 of 31 complaints). Owners also complain about loss of power and stalling. 21 of the 31 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 air conditioning. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 71 and the 2021 scores 70.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 21-016 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 70
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating

Cons

About 1.3 times the problems of the average car its age
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead9 complaints
Loss of power (cause not stated)4 complaints
Stall (cause not stated)3 complaints

How the 2020 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 problems21 complaints · average car: about 13	1.6×	−13
Everyday problems10 complaints · average car: about 17	0.61×	−4
Problems in the last two years4 complaints · average car: about 8.0	0.58×	−7
Recalls6 recalls · average car: about 4.4	1.2×	−6
Score		70

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 31 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 31.

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
9 complaints (29%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. 5 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. Median mileage when it started: about 33,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
4 complaints (13%)
A loss of power. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Stall (cause not stated)
3 complaints (10%)
Stalling. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (6%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and sudden acceleration. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (6%)
Unusual noises.
Steering: damage
2 complaints (6%)
Damage and sticking or stiffness.
Transmission: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (6%)
Sticking or stiffness and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Reported Once (16)

Show the 16 problems reported once

Alternator or charging: warning lights
Battery drain: draining the battery
Control module (unspecified): fault code
Engine: stalling
Driver-assist camera and radar failure
Anti-theft alarm: the system not working when needed
Battery failure
Brake pedal simulator failure
Engine splash plate: parts breaking or coming apart
Hood: vibration or shudder
Smoke from the rear of the car (cause not stated)
Oxygen sensor: damage
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Warning lights (cause not stated)

How the 2020 Honda Insight Compares With Other Years

The other Insight years of the 3rd generation, 2019 to 2022.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2022	Caution	69	1.4×	18.4	3	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2021	Good	70	1.2×	19.2	3	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2020 This year	Good	70	1.3×	20.3	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2019	Good	71	0.97×	24.4	8	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead

See every Insight year

2020 Honda Insight Recalls

Six recalls cover the 2020 Honda Insight. The most recent was issued in May 2026: “Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Fuel Pump May Fail, December 2023
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail, March 2021
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V215000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 25, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Loss of Drive Power from DC-DC Converter Shutdown
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V798000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 17, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
BCM Software Malfunction/FMVSS 103/111
Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V771000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 10, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 88% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail, May 2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V314000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2020. By the second quarter of 2022, 91% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2020 Honda Insight Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension for the 2020 Honda Insight, separate from its recalls. It is for a problem with the air conditioning. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 21-016
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free. Owners who paid for this repair before may be repaid.
Who qualifies:
The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2020 Honda Insight NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened three investigations that cover the 2020 Honda Insight. One is still open and two others have 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
Automatic emergency braking activating by mistake in Insights and Passports
Closed
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation, opened in March 2024, looked at automatic emergency braking activating with nothing ahead in 2019-2022 Insights and Passports. Honda said some owners may not understand the system's limits. NHTSA reviewed 475 reports, with 3 alleging a crash and 2 an injury. In January 2025 it upgraded the case to engineering analysis EA25-002, adding 2023 Passports.
NHTSA PE24008 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Mar 7, 2024 to Jan 17, 2025
Unwanted automatic emergency braking in Insights and Passports
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in January 2025, covers automatic emergency braking that activates with nothing in the way. It applies to 2019-2022 Insights and 2019-2023 Passports. NHTSA reviewed 475 reports, with 3 alleging a crash and 2 an injury. Many complaints say dealers could not reproduce the problem or called it normal. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA25002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Jan 17, 2025

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2020 Insight ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2020 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.

Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 26V332000
Fuel Pump May Fail, December 2023 NHTSA 23V858000
Fuel Pump May Fail, March 2021 NHTSA 21V215000
Loss of Drive Power from DC-DC Converter Shutdown NHTSA 20V798000
BCM Software Malfunction/FMVSS 103/111 NHTSA 20V771000
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.

21-016: A/C condenser leaks

On the Test Drive

Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.

Ask the Seller

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

Automatic emergency braking
Loss of power
Stalling
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.