Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Insight | 55 |
| 2011 Insight (this page) | 27 |
| 2012 Insight | 11 |
| 2013 Insight | 7 |
| 2014 Insight | 3 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 27 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Honda Insight, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Honda Insight in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 - 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 - 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 - 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 ↗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
Takata recall - parts to remedy defective airbags have not been made available!
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…
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.…
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…
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…
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?
Based on the 27 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 42,805 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
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.