Honda Insight Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year Insight should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2019 Honda Insight has the most documented problems with a problem score of 106 — driven primarily by 0 recalls, 94 complaints, and issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Q: What is the best year Insight to buy?

The 2000 Honda Insight is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 0, meaning 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record.

Q: Which Insight has the fewest problems?

The 2000, 2001, 2005 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Honda Insight model year (2000–2022) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Honda Insight Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2019

0 recalls · 94 complaints

6 reported injuries

Top issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Problem score: 106

#2 WORST

2003

0 recalls · 29 complaints

8 reported injuries

Top issue: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 45

#3 WORST

2002

0 recalls · 24 complaints

2 reported injuries

Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Problem score: 28

Best Honda Insight Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2000

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 0

#2 BEST

2001

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 0

#3 BEST

2005

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 0

Found the right year? Verify that specific Insight with a free VIN report.

Honda Insight — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Complaints	Problem Score	Verdict
2022	0	0	Excellent
2021	0	0	Excellent
2020	0	0	Excellent
2019	94	106	Avoid
2006	0	0	Excellent
2005	0	0	Excellent
2004	2	2	Excellent
2003	29	45	Caution
2002	24	28	Good
2001	0	0	Excellent
2000	0	0	Excellent

Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.

Honda Insight Shopping Guide by Era

2018–Present

Best: 2022

Recent Insight models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2022 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older Insight models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report. Confirm all historical recalls have been completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year Insight should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2019 Honda Insight if possible. It has 0 recalls, 94 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. The overall problem score is 106 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Insight to buy?+

The 2000 Honda Insight is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which Insight has the fewest problems?+

The 2000, 2001, 2005 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Honda Insight Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Honda Insight.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Honda Insight.

Check a Specific Honda Insight VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →