Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

2011 Honda Insight airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2011 Honda Insight have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Ask A Mechanic
Complaints
27
Recalls
10
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Honda Insight, by model year
Model yearairbags complaints
2010 Insight 55
2011 Insight (this page) 27
2012 Insight 11
2013 Insight 7
2014 Insight 3
1crash
1injury
What stands out

Among the 7 model years of Honda Insight in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.

All 10 active airbags recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.

Related recalls

critical NHTSA 18V661000 September 27, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
severe NHTSA 18V268000 April 26, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
critical NHTSA 19V502000 June 27, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
critical NHTSA 19V500000 June 27, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
severe NHTSA 19V378000 May 16, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
severe NHTSA 17V545000 August 31, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
critical NHTSA 18V042000 January 9, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
critical NHTSA 17V030000 January 10, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
critical NHTSA 16V346000 May 24, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
critical NHTSA 16V061000 February 3, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin A18-066 Jun 2026

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin A18-048 Feb 2026

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2007-11 CR-V and Other Listed Years and Models.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin A20-011 Mar 2020

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin A20-016 Mar 2020

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 19-003-1 Aug 2019

Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for 2010-12 Accord and Other Listed Years and Models (Expires September 30, 2028)

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

The overwhelming complaint from 2011 Honda Insight owners centers on the Takata airbag recall (NHTSA campaigns 16V061000 and 16V346000) and the logistics problems that came with it. Twenty-one narratives describe parts shortages that stretched recall completion to six months or longer after notification, forcing owners to continue driving vehicles they understood carried a known safety defect. Owners in humid climates—Houston, San Jose, Mississippi—report heightened concern about inflator rupture risk.

A secondary pattern involves incomplete repairs at dealerships. Three owners report dropping their vehicles for service on both driver and passenger airbags, only to have dealers complete one side and return the vehicle as safe, leaving the second bag defective. One owner describes the dealer refusing to extend a loaner once the driver-side repair was done.

Rental car logistics created hardship for owners on long commutes or with health concerns. Honda initially offered loaner vehicles but later required owners to cover rental-car insurance, which personal auto insurance would not provide. One pregnant owner received only a large truck unsuitable for her condition when seeking a replacement vehicle during the recall wait.

One narrative reports an airbag failure to deploy during a rear-impact crash at 55 mph, resulting in a concussion and missing teeth at 17,000 miles, though the recall status at that moment is unclear.

Same Honda Insight airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012

Failure modes owners describe

Takata Airbag Inflator Defect – Parts Shortage

Owners received Takata recall notices for driver and/or passenger airbag inflators but dealerships reported parts unavailable for 3–6 months after notification. Owners were instructed to continue driving vehicles with known defective airbags during this supply-chain delay.

When: Recall notifications issued in March 2016 and later; parts availability delayed through summer/fall 2016

Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts not available at dealership; Extended wait times (3–6 months) for replacement parts; Owner uncertainty about when repair could be scheduled

Codes mentioned: 16V061000, 16V346000

Repairs/costs cited: Free replacement of airbag inflators; one owner reported repair completed in November 2016 after waiting six months. One owner paid out-of-pocket for rental during wait.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall issued (16V061000 and 16V346000). Honda stated the inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking occupants with risk of serious injury or death. Parts distribution delayed; one claim (04845132) was denied by Honda USA.

Incomplete Dealer Repair – One Airbag Left Defective

Dealers completed replacement of driver-side airbag but failed to replace passenger-side inflator on the same service visit, despite owner confirmation that both sides needed repair. Dealer returned vehicle as safe and refused to extend loaner once driver-side work finished.

When: July 2016; another case May 2016

Symptoms owners cite: Dealer replaced driver-side airbag only; Passenger-side inflator remained defective; Dealer returned vehicle and requested loaner be returned despite incomplete repair

Codes mentioned: 16V061000, 16V346000

Repairs/costs cited: One driver-side replacement per visit; passenger-side left incomplete. One owner reported getting vehicle back with only 1 of 2 airbags fixed after 2 months.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda USA claim 04845132 denied, stating owner did not need to utilize the front passenger seat. No TSB or extended program noted.

Airbag Failure to Deploy in Frontal Impact

Vehicle struck from rear at 55 mph, causing driver to crash into guard rail. Airbags did not deploy, and seat belt did not lock. Driver sustained minor concussion and lost teeth.

When: At 17,000 miles; specific date not provided

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy upon frontal impact after rear-end collision; Seat belt did not lock; Head impact to steering wheel

Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; injury sustained

Rental Car / Loaner Vehicle Logistics Problems

Owners unable to access suitable rental vehicles or loaners during extended recall wait periods. Some were asked to cover rental-car insurance, which their personal auto policies would not provide. One pregnant owner received only a large truck from Enterprise when requesting a rental.

When: July 2016 and ongoing during recall delays

Symptoms owners cite: Loaner cars offered then requested back prematurely; Owners required to pay rental-car insurance out-of-pocket; Insurance companies declined to cover rental-car liability; Unsuitable vehicle offered (large truck) to pregnant owner

Repairs/costs cited: Loaner or rental requested but not consistently provided; some owners reported $20/day rental costs and storage fees they had to cover

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda offered loaner initially but later required owners to insure rental at own expense. One dealership (Randy Kuehl Honda) stated nothing more could be done and directed owner to NHTSA.

Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 14 most recent

airbags · filed 12/30/2016

Takata recall - parts to remedy defective airbags have not been made available!

airbags · filed 12/13/2016

I got a notice that both airbags on my car were faulty and that Honda would fix them for free. The parts didn't come in for 3 or 4 months. I was commuting 400 miles a week for work and asked them to provide a rental car for me until then. They would furnish the car but I was responsible for the insurance on it. They told me to get it insured by my own personal auto insurance company. My…

airbags · filed 12/12/2016

Takata recall we've been notified twice to get our car repaired. When contacting dealership, we're told the parts are not available to repair. We live in mississippi, where the climate is humid and hot. We understand this a high-risk environment for a malfunction. We would like to know when we can expect to have this safety issue corrected.

airbags · filed 11/28/2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v346000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount f time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

airbags · filed 10/25/2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v061000 (air bags) and 16v346000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN…

airbags · filed 10/21/2016

Takata recall. Dealer said the fix would occur during the summer; so far nothing. I worry every time I drive that I could be killed by a safety device.

airbags · filed 10/06/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Honda insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v346000 and 16v061000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…

airbags · filed 10/04/2016

Takata and passenger recalls. I received a recall notice last march, 2016 for an air bag recall. I have called the dealership, capitol Honda several times. Sometimes they say the will order the part. I never get a straight answer. I called the manager and left a voice messages, but never got a call back. I live in san jose and have heard that people in humid climates should be worried. I can't…

airbags · filed 09/27/2016

Takata recall. I received a recall notice last march, 2016 for an air bag recall. I have called the dealership, john eagle Honda several times. Sometimes they say the will order the part. I never get a straight answer. I called the manager and left a voice message, but never got a call back. I live in houston and have heard that people in humid climates should be worried. I don't know…

airbags · filed 09/12/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Honda insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v346000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Honda Insight? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Honda Insight?

It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 10 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Honda/Insight. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →