2013 Honda Insight problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 45 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2013 Honda Insight has 45 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 23 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,274 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Insight | 119 | 0 |
| 2011 Insight | 40 | 0 |
| 2012 Insight | 59 | 0 |
| 2013 Insight (this page) | 45 | 0 |
| 2014 Insight | 5 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Honda Insight? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 72,274 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- airbags — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 31,354 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 86,048 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 102,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 31,354 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Honda Insight
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My car was hit at 60mph, from a run away car fleeing the police, on the front passenger side. My car then flipped onto the driver side rotated 180 degree, rolled over and slid 100ft to stopped on the passenger side. My car stopped with two wheels in the air. The major complaint…
At about 24500 miles, I drove for 1500miles rig1500milesoil service at dealer, the engine light came on. I contact them and they towed the vehicle to the dealer/service. They filled the engine and told me to drive 1000 miles and came back for them to test oil consumption. I…
Driving on a busy s.e. Street in washington dc, driving about 20 to 30 MPH., heard a noise that sounded like a tire blowing out or some other type of noise emanating from underneath the car. I tried to press the brake, but instead the car accelerated and would not stop. It…
We were driving our Honda in a 70mph zone and the car's speed suddenly dropped to 15mph. We were not able to drive any faster than 15mph and could have been killed while driving on a highway where other cars were driving at 70mph, or we could have caused a pile up of cars with…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Honda Insight reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Honda Insight is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Honda Insight?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Honda Insight does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Honda Insight?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,274 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Honda Insight a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 45 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 72,274 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Honda Insight?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,274 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,274 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda Insight has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Honda Insight?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 45 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.