Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the crankcase, which can result in misfires, engine cylinder damage, engine cylinder head damage, and/or engine oil consumption that may exceed customer expectations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Honda Insight engine problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 23 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Honda Insight, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Engine accounts for 51% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
CUSTOMER LETTER - ON SOME 201213 INSIGHT VEHICLES, THE OIL CONTROL RINGS MAY BECOME CLOGGED WITH CARBON DEPOSITS. THESE DEPOSITS RESTRICT THE CONTROL RINGS ABILITY TO SCRAPE AND RETURN OIL FROM THE CYLINDER WALLS TO THE CRANKCASE AND THIS ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION MAY EXCEED CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE BULLETIN - THE OIL CONTROL RINGS MAY BECOME CLOGGED WITH CARBON DEPOSITS. THESE DEPOSITS RESTRICT THE ABILITY TO SCRAPE AND RETURN OIL FROM THE CYLINDER WALLS TO THE CRANKCASE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN MISFIRES, ENGINE CYLINDER DAMAGE, ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD DAMAGE, AND/OR ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION THAT MAY EXCEED CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS. TO INCREASE CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE, AMERICAN HONDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE RELATED TO ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION TO 8 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE BULLETIN - THE OIL CONTROL RINGS MAY BECOME CLOGGED WITH CARBON DEPOSITS. THESE DEPOSITS RESTRICT THE ABILITY TO SCRAPE AND RETURN OIL FROM THE CYLINDER WALLS TO THE CRANKCASE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN MISFIRES, ENGINE CYLINDER DAMAGE, ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD DAMAGE, AND/OR ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION THAT MAY EXCEED CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN IS REPLACED BY S/B 16-101, WARRANTY EXTENSION: 201213 INSIGHT OIL CONSUMPTION EXCEEDS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Honda Insight engine suffers from a well-documented defect centered on defective piston rings causing extreme oil consumption. Owners report needing to add oil every 1,000–2,000 miles, with some burning a quart every 800 miles or requiring a quart weekly. Blue smoke from the exhaust and a dark, thin dipstick reading are common early signs. Many dealers initially dismiss the consumption as normal until owners request a formal test.
The real threat emerges when this defect cascades into sudden highway stalling. Owners report losing power at 65–73 mph with zero warning, forcing emergency pulls to the shoulder or complete engine shutdown. Multiple warning lights (Check Engine, VSA, Brake, Emissions, Hill Start) illuminate at once during these events, creating serious safety risk on busy roads. One owner narrowly avoided a highway accident; another faced a three-hour roadside wait on a freeway.
Unchecked oil consumption leads to engine seizure, melted spark plugs, burnt valves, and cylinder damage. Repair costs—piston ring replacement, full rebuild, or engine swap—run $4,000 to $10,000, often exceeding vehicle value. Honda issued an Engineering Service Bulletin and extended warranty, but coverage is inconsistent: owners report slow or denied claims, dealers claiming "normal operation," and non-Honda dealerships refusing warranty work. One owner waited a month and made 15–20 calls to Honda without resolution. Persistent owners eventually secured free repairs; most did not.
Same Honda Insight engine reports on nearby years: 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Oil Consumption / Defective Piston Rings
Engine consumes oil at abnormally high rates due to defective piston rings. Owners report needing to add oil every 1,000–2,000 miles or even weekly in severe cases. One owner reported consumption of 3–4 quarts per 1,000 miles; another reported 1 quart every 800 miles. This is not merely a maintenance nuisance—it escalates to engine seizure and catastrophic failure if unaddressed.
When: Typically emerges between 24,500 and 60,000 miles, though some cases surface earlier; progresses over months to years if left untreated.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level dropping rapidly between service intervals; Oil slick or dark appearance; Blue or dark smoke from exhaust during acceleration; Check Engine light illuminated; Vehicle running rougher than normal
Codes mentioned: Code 1982A (mentioned by one owner), Check Engine
Repairs/costs cited: Repair involves piston ring replacement, gasket replacement, and spark plug replacement. Costs cited range from approximately $4,000 to $10,000. One owner reported a new short block installed at 79,000 miles. Some dealers charge additional $485 per test and labor to disassemble/reassemble engine for diagnostic purposes. One owner successfully obtained free repair after warranty expired following persistent appeal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued an Engineering Service Bulletin (ESB) addressing the issue and extended warranty coverage for affected units. However, coverage eligibility is inconsistent: some owners with expired or 'customer preference' warranties face denial; some dealers inform owners the problem is 'within normal limits' or 'operating as designed' despite documented evidence; at least one owner obtained a goodwill repair after extensive follow-up. Owners report Honda uses 'customer preference' label to avoid recall designation.
Sudden Power Loss and Engine Stalling on Highway
Engine loses power abruptly during highway driving, forcing owners to pull over or coast to the shoulder. In several cases, the vehicle stalls completely and will not restart, requiring towing. Multiple warning lights (Check Engine, Check Emission, Check Brake, Check Hill Start Assistant, Check VSA) illuminate simultaneously, often without advance warning. This failure mode creates a serious safety hazard on high-speed roadways.
When: Occurs unpredictably at mileage ranging from 50,000 to 100,500 miles. One owner experienced stalling after years of living with undiagnosed excessive oil consumption.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration while driving at highway speeds (65–73 mph reported); Engine shudders before loss of power; Multiple warning lights flash simultaneously; Vehicle unable to accelerate beyond 10–15 mph; Engine will not restart after stalling; No advance warning before failure
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Check Emission, Check Brake, Check Hill Start Assistant, Check VSA
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause is traced to piston ring and spark plug issues escalating from unaddressed excessive oil consumption. One dealer diagnosed spark plugs as initial issue but later determined entire engine replacement was necessary. Repair costs are prohibitively high relative to vehicle value in many cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda's service campaigns and extended warranty programs exist but are not consistently communicated to owners or honored in a timely manner. One owner reported waiting a month and making 15–20 calls to Honda without authorization; another was told the vehicle operates as designed despite two near-crash incidents.
Severe Engine Damage (Seized Rings, Melted Spark Plugs, Burnt Valves)
Unchecked excessive oil consumption leads to engine seizure, with oil control rings building up residue and internal oil starvation. Spark plugs melt and burn exhaust valves; cylinder walls develop burnt holes. In one case, a valve tightened prematurely (at 76,276 miles, far below the typical 100,000-mile specification), triggering cascading damage. These failures render the engine inoperable and require full rebuild or replacement.
When: Develops as a progression of the excessive oil consumption issue, typically manifesting between 50,000 and 100,000 miles if the primary problem is not remedied.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seizes or locks up; Spark plugs show signs of melting or burning; Exhaust valve burned or damaged; Cylinder walls with burnt holes; Valve tightening at unusually low mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine rebuild or replacement is required. Quoted costs are $8,200 to $10,000+, often exceeding the vehicle's market value (one owner noted repair cost exceeded car value by over $700). One owner pursued a used replacement engine instead of dealer rebuild. Another owner obtained a free short-block replacement after persistent appeal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty programs exist for some owners, but enforcement is inconsistent and slow. One owner's claim was denied because the dealer was not Honda-certified, despite Honda's ESBs acknowledging the defect. Delays in warranty authorization span weeks to months; one case remained unresolved after a month of repeated calls.
Carbon Buildup in Young Engines
Major carbon accumulation in engine with fewer than 63,000 miles, indicating manufacturing or design defect rather than normal wear.
When: Documented at under 63,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Carbon buildup detectable during service
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
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 did it for 2 times consecutive and they say it was within normal level. I ask them to test again. They agree. Now, after…
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 multiple accidents. We were very lucky that we were able to pull over to the side of the highway before another car hit…
Traveling 65mph on highway with cruise control on. Lost power and check engine light came on. I pulled to the shoulder, engine continued to run, but would not accelerate. Turned car off and back on and multiple check messages displayed. I had car towed to local Honda dealer shop. They informed me spark plugs needed to be replaced. I agreed, but next day they called to tell me the entire engine…
I have had a 2013 Honda Insight since September 2024 and I have complained about excessive oil consumption since October 2024.This past Saturday my car stopped on the highway when I tried to accelerate. It was towed to Honda and the diagnostic comes back as piston ring replacement with spark plugs. Last November I had 2 spark plugs replaced and my ignition coils. There was an ESB put out by…
Noticed decreased performance & frequent oil changes in 2015. At first, I did not know the weak engine performance was related to the oil consumption & was never offered diagnostic testing until May 2023 across multiple Honda shops in different states. With this, I was under the impression that my car was performing within normal limits. Finally in May 2023 the local Honda shop recommended the…
My Honda is burning oil from the ingine.no leaks. I can get a oil change today and in 5 days I need more oil. I've taken it to the dealership and see online 64 complaints of this code 1982a. Now the dealer wants me to pay almost 4,000 dollars to get it fix when they know they sold me a lemon. Honda dealer said I need pistons,rings and spark plugs. Today they gave me a loaner car but says I have…
Excessive oil consumption - warning lights do not come on to tell you there is an issue with low oil. Only notice at time of oil changes that levels seemed low. And not oil is basically needing to be checked and monitored like gas. And then sudden emission light at only 60,000 miles on the car and I am told all they will do is fix something once it breaks. Why wont Honda just replace engine…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda insight. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled and all the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced and more oil was added to the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was burning excessive oil and more oil was needed every 1,000 miles. The vehicle…
On interstate, chug chug, stop; life in danger, stuck one hour, waiting for aaa; towed, Honda dealer, oil consumption blows out spark plugs; Honda issues extended warranty; an oil test is done; life is in danger for several months driving 1,000 miles at a time; vehicle could come to complete stop at any moment. This should be a recall, a lawsuit; nothing the driver can do; owner pays for the…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 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 engine problem on the 2013 Honda Insight?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 60,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2013/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.