Service bulletin - On February of 2022, the 3G network will no longer support the in-vehicle services that the vehicle has previously supported. As of August 23, 2022, the Product Improvement Campaign has ended. The TCU can no longer be updated using Over The Air updates. If the customer needs to restore TCU services, the only option is to replace the TCU. This would be done as a customer pay repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Honda Insight electrical problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 10 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 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
Of the 5 model years of Honda Insight we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 electrical 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.
"Notice - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number [VIN NUMBER]). The date for updating vehicles was extended from February 22, 2022 to August 22, 2022. As of August 23, 2022, the 3G network will no longer support the in-vehicle services that the vehicle has previously supported. The Telematics Control Unit (TCU) using the Over the Air (OTA) update is required to connect to the VoLTE network to continue communications. Honda strongly recommends updating your vehicle as soon as possible, or risk having to replace the TCU at your cost."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - Booming or rumbling through the speakers. ANC microphone insulating foam is damaged or folded over.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ServiceNews Article - Are you hearing a booming or rumbling through the speakers? If you get a vehicle in for this, remove the covers in the headliner for the ANC microphones and check if the insulating foam is damaged or folded over as shown below. We've found this may be the reason for the noise.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - In February of 2022, the 3G network will no longer support the in-vehicle services that the vehicle has previously supported. The Telematics Control Unit (TCU) using the Over the Air (OTA) update is required to connect to the VoLTE network to continue communications.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pattern of electrical failures that dealers and Honda cannot permanently resolve. The most serious involve driver-assistance systems: multiple owners have U-code faults (U128D, U1291, U1281) tied to lane-keeping assist and turn signals that stay enabled even after code resets, and one owner experienced a complete electrical cascade—all warning lights at once—that caused the car to spin and hit a highway barrier with no airbag deployment.
The backup and forward-camera systems fail intermittently; some owners lose image display in reverse despite no blown fuses, others see the infotainment console hard-reset during Apple CarPlay use, blanking cameras for 30–60 seconds mid-drive. Owners report radar-based collision avoidance engaging the brakes for phantom objects and falsely reporting the parked vehicle is in motion.
Infotainment panels overheat and flicker on and off—one was replaced three times with no lasting fix. One owner reported a burning electrical smell alongside fuel gauge and radio malfunctions; another heard buzzing from the fuel tank area when the car was off.
Two dealers told owners they cannot provide permanent fixes and advised returning when issues recur. Honda corporate refused assistance in multiple cases. One car exhibited electrical failure at just 176 miles and turned inoperable at 75 mph on a highway, creating visibility and propulsion hazards.
Failure modes owners describe
Driver assistance system network faults (U-codes)
Multiple diagnostic trouble codes (U128D, U1291, U1281) reported after malfunctioning driving assists. Dealers reset codes but stated they cannot permanently fix the underlying safety issues. Symptoms recurred and worsened over time.
When: June 2019, recurred January 2020; additional report at early mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Lane-keeping assist stays on with 'take to dealer' message; Conflicting driving assistance signals; Lane Watch signals malfunction; Turn signal malfunction
Codes mentioned: U128D, U1291, U1281
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to provide permanent fix; code resets only temporary. No work summary provided by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda of Illinois, Bob Brady Honda, and American Honda Motor all confirmed inability to fix issues. American Honda refused to provide relief.
Accelerator unresponsiveness with warning light cascade
Vehicle failed to accelerate as intended at 75 mph highway speed with multiple unknown warning lights illuminated. Diagnosed with corrected connector and broken pin at leak detection pump. Wiring harness replacement needed but vehicle not repaired.
When: Approximately 81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Failure to accelerate despite depressed pedal; Multiple warning lights illuminated; Failure recurred after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Leak detection module and wiring harness replacement required; vehicle not repaired at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acknowledged as known failure with case filed.
Radar system defect causing false collision detection
Radar system detects objects closer than actual distance and engages brakes eroneously. Dealer computer check indicated defective or damaged radar system. Persistent after code reset.
When: Within first 1,700 miles of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Lane assist and warning stay on continuously; False proximity detection triggering unwanted braking; Burning electrical odor (same vehicle); Infotainment screen shutoff; Fuel gauge display inaccuracy (40.5 miles variance)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer prepared to diagnose through 10 possible problems; issue persisted after code reset.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda representative demanded owner pay for rental car; initially appeared unsupportive.
Infotainment panel thermal failure and flickering
Infotainment panel overheated without warning and intermittently flickered on/off even with vehicle powered down. Panel replaced three times by dealer but failure recurred repeatedly.
When: Approximately 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment panel overheating at various speeds; Panel flickering on and off while vehicle off; Buzzing noise from rear driver-side fuel tank area when vehicle off
Repairs/costs cited: Infotainment panel replaced three times; failure persisted after each replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but did not assist with resolution.
Cascading electrical system failure with safety disable
All warning indicators illuminated simultaneously while driving, causing vehicle to spin and strike highway railing. Airbag system did not deploy during impact. Complete electrical system malfunction.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights illuminated simultaneously; Loss of vehicle control; Airbag system failure to deploy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda refused to accept responsibility and dismissed owner's request for assistance.
Backup camera intermittent failure and false motion detection
Backup camera fails to display image in reverse despite functioning at other times. Vehicle falsely reports motion when parked, blocking access to electrical features. Failure diagnosed as cause unknown.
When: Approximately 27,000 miles; earliest at 176 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera no image display in reverse; Side camera intermittently inaccessible; False 'vehicle in motion' status when parked; Features locked out due to false motion detection
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; cause not yet determined.
Electrical multiplexing system resets under load
Electrical system malfunction at very low mileage (176 miles) disabled turn signals, lights, and other systems for entire drive. System spontaneously recovered after vehicle parked. Apple CarPlay causes infotainment console hard reset, disabling camera systems for 30-60 seconds.
When: 176 miles; intermittent during vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signals inoperable; Headlights and other lighting inoperative; Multiple electrical systems non-functional during single drive cycle; Apple CarPlay crashes triggering full infotainment reset; Camera systems unavailable during reset cycle
Repairs/costs cited: System recovered spontaneously; dealer contacted but issue not yet diagnosed.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Honda insight. The contact stated that the vehicle registered objects closer than what they were and engaged the brake erroneously. In addition, the contact noticed a burning electrical odor sometimes inside the vehicle. Furthermore, the touch screen radio would shut off and the fuel gauge displayed 40.5 miles less than what it was supposed to be per gallon. The…
Had electrical trouble with your 2019 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 electrical problem on the 2019 Honda Insight?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 28,927 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2019/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.