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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Honda Insight2000–2022

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

⚡ HYBRID
Honda Insight
2000–2022
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.0/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Moderate
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation
Engineering Analysis: forward collision avoidance
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
13
Recalls
0
Complaints
2021
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2019
11
Years Analyzed
13
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Honda Insight

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK5yr old
2021
Strong Buy · 81/100
Reliability77/100
Value window87/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK4yr old
2022
Strong Buy · 79/100
Reliability77/100
Value window84/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#3 PICK26yr old
2000
Good Buy · 63/100
Reliability77/100
Value window37/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Honda Insight Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2019

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2020

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2001

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Insight became recall.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Jan 2025NHTSA #EA25002
inadvertent automatic emergency braking
Component: forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking · affects 2019–2022
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
Recently concluded investigations
PE24008 · forward collision avoidance · closed Jan 2025Closed, no recall
DP22005 · electrical system · closed Aug 2023→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Honda Insight — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202210——
77
84
79
Good
202110——
77
87
81
Good
202030——
61
86
70
Avoid
201930——
61
82
68
Avoid
200610——
77
37
63
Good
200500——
77
37
63
Excellent
200400——
77
37
63
Excellent
200300——
77
37
63
Excellent
200210——
77
37
63
Good
200120——
70
37
58
Avoid
200010——
77
37
63
Good

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Insight compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 81).

Best: 2021
2021 · 812022 · 792020 · 702019 · 68

Pre-2013

Older Insight models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2000 · 632002 · 632003 · 632004 · 632005 · 632006 · 632001 · 58

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Insight to buy?+

The 2021 Honda Insight scores highest on our Buyer Score (81/100) — combining a reliability score of 77/100 with a value score of 87/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Insight years have the most problems?+

The 2019, 2020, 2001 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2019 Insight leads with 3 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Insight problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Honda Insight.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar hybrid vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Insight year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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