2001 Honda Insight recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND ONE MATING PIN IN THE COUPLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 INSIGHT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Honda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V086000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-999-1009.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND ONE MATING PIN IN THE COUPLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.
What could happen: THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 INSIGHT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Honda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V196000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-999-1009.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Notes: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2001 Honda Insight owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (5), Airbags (5), Lights (4), Engine (4), Electrical system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/15/2018 · Lights
LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED W/O WARNING OR EXTERNAL CAUSE. WORKED ONE DAY BUT NOT THE NEXT MORNING. NO OBVIOUS FUSE OR RELAY IS THE CAUSE. FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INADEQUATELY DESIGNED SWITCH THAT WS PRONE TO FAILURE BY GOOGLING THE FAILURE, WHICH HWAS COVERED BY A RECALL. HONDA'S WEBSITE VIN SEARCH SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS CAR. LOCAL DEALER…
01/04/2016 · Lights
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
05/27/2014 · Lights
BOTH MY LOW BEAMS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING, BUT HIGH BEAMS STILL WORK. I CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO POWER BEING SENT TO THE LOW BEAMS. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS FOR EXACT ISSUE. AMERICAN HONDA, AND THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER TELL ME MY VIN# IS OFF BY 1 MONTH (WITHIN SAME MODEL YEAR ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL), SO IT'S NOT UNDER…
11/14/2011 · Lights
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. FIXED ONCE ON RECALL. NOW SAME PROBLEM. SAME HEAT DAMAGED SWITCH & THEY WONT REPAIR. *TR
09/24/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
2001 HONDA CIVIC LX TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE HWY AT ABOUT 60MPH NO WARNING ENGINE JUST STARTING REVVING FROM WHAT I HEAR THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS YEAR OF HONDAS. *TR
08/13/2010 · Airbags
HONDA SENT ME A LETTER ASKING ME TO BRING MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR AIRBAG RECALL. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALER IN SANTA ANA CALIFORNIA TO PLAN TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM ON SATURDAY WHEN I COULD BE OFF FROM THE WORK. THE HONDA DEALER SAID ON SATURDAY THEY ONLY DO "REGULAR SERVICES", NOT RECALL REPAIR. THEN TODAY I TOOK A DAY OFF FROM THE WORK…
03/16/2010 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55000.
12/22/2009 · Electrical system · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SHE SMELLED A CHEMICAL ODOR, AND SAW FLAMES BEHIND HER. SHE PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND WAS IN THE PROCES…