2020 Honda Insight problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Insight, most often about driver assistance & safety tech. There are 6 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Median mileage
- 5,750 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech is the most-reported problem area, named in 13 of 31 complaints (42%).
- Electrical System (7) and transmission & drivetrain (5) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 5,750 mi.
- Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
- The 2020 Honda Insight has 6 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 3rd of 8 Honda Insight model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 63% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (83).
2020 Honda Insight problems by category
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash13 complaints
- Electrical System7 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash5 complaints
- Engine4 complaints
- Brakes4 complaints
- Body & Structure3 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash3 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control2 complaints
- Steering2 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires · 1 crash1 complaints
- Suspension · 1 crash1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 7 |
| Electrical system | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 5 |
| Power train | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service brakes | 3 |
| Unknown or other | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Honda Insight recalls (6)
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:MODULE:SOFTWARE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS · VISIBILITY/WIPER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.
Risk: Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA25002Opened Jan 17, 2025Open
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly…
- PE24008Opened Mar 7, 2024Closed Jan 17, 2025
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly…
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…
Recent 2020 Honda Insight complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Aug 2, 2026NJDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
I was driving to Pilates class and everything was normal but as I reached a railroad crossing the car suddenly and for no reason stopped dead on the tracks. Luckily for me there were no vehicles in front or behind me and there were no trains coming. I was terrified and wasn’t sure what to do but I pushed the Drive button and the vehicle went ahead as if nothing happened.
NHTSA complaint #11754308 · source - Filed Jun 30, 2026CACrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown
The vehicle unintentionally accelerated while pulling into a parking space. I was depressing the brake to slow down while making the right turn into the space. The engine suddenly revved up (as though you were depressing the gas and brake at the same time) and it accelerated forward (a though you suddenly released the brake while depressing the gas pedal) and the car lept forward, jumping a 3 foot long curb, striking the vehicle parked in front of me. The tires kept spinning…
NHTSA complaint #11747521 · source - Filed Apr 1, 2026PASteering
At approximately 148,000 miles the steering would have an intermittent notchy, or sticky, feeling while driving straight. While driving straight at cruising speed, I noticed that the resistance on the left side of the steering wheel was greater than the right side, then the resistance would decrease suddenly (release), and the steering wheel would rotate slightly to the right, but less than 1 degree, so it would be hardly noticeable on video. The issue seems to only present…
NHTSA complaint #11728435 · source - Filed Jan 30, 2026WIElectrical System
Battery keeps draining. On my 3rd battery and believe there’s a defect in the DC/DC converter (earlier recall - K9E). This has caused issues being stranded in the cold.
NHTSA complaint #11714605 · source - Filed Aug 23, 2025AZBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
This 2020 Honda Insight performed “phantom braking” of the automated braking system when I was about to enter a clear intersection with no vehicles or obstacles in front of me. It activated the automated braking system and endangered my life and the lives of others over no real threat. This occurred 08/23/2025. The car is well maintained and does not have any service issues. This was completely random.
NHTSA complaint #11682568 · source - Filed Jul 23, 202518,000 miNCBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. During the failure, the brakes failed to function as intended, and the Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and Forward Collision Avoidance features failed to function as intended. The failure was intermittent. During the first failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted after several minutes and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle…
NHTSA complaint #11675716 · source - Filed Jul 7, 2025ARBody & Structure
I was driving home from vacation when my engine splash plate came loose from my car on the interstate. The splash plate fell down and dragged on highway creating friction under my car. The metal had fallen down and was chipping away creating dangerous debris to my car and other cars on the highway. Roadside service was no help, per usual. I was traveling alone. The splash plate had to be removed entirely to prevent a fire and more damage to my car. I couldn’t remove the…
NHTSA complaint #11671578 · source - Filed Feb 5, 2025TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
I was driving down the highway, with no one in front of me, and my car alerted BRAKE and brought my car from 70 to an almost complete stop. This jerked myself and my passenger and caused a heat mark from the seat belt on my collar bone. It has done it multiple times since then. I'm terrified to be in traffic and for it to do this. This is most definitely putting my safety at risk, and the safety of others. I have not taken it to the dealership yet.
NHTSA complaint #11641019 · source
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Other 2020 Honda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology