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Honda

2012 Honda INSIGHT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Honda INSIGHT has 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 50. The most common issue is engine problems (55% of all complaints), specifically: approximately 5 months ago i noticed that the engine was making a slight ticking sound. i checked the oil and it was a quart low so i added a quart. i didn't check it again because i didn't hear that ticking noise again. approximately 1 month later i took it to honda in stockton, ca. to have a noise. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year.

4 crash reports

66

Total Complaints

8

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

36 complaints
55%
  • APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS A QUART LOW SO I ADDED A QUART. I DIDN'T CHECK IT AGAIN BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR THAT TICKING NOISE AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER I TOOK IT TO HONDA IN STOCKTON, CA. TO HAVE A NOISE
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHER
  • CHECKED OIL LEVEL AND FOUND IT BELOW THE BOTTOM INDICATOR MARK (OIL PERCENTAGE LIFE METER WAS ABOVE 60% AT THIS POINT.. TOOK IT IN TO HONDA OF SANTA MARIA, CA , WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP EMISSION SYSTEMS FAULT WARNING CAME ON. THEY CONFIRMED ALMOST ALL OIL WAS GONE. THEY HAD ME PAY FOR AN OIL CHAN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS A QUART LOW SO I ADDED A QUART. I DIDN'T CHECK IT AGAIN BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR THAT TICKING NOISE AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER I TOOK IT TO HONDA IN STOCKTON, CA. TO HAVE A NOISE

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Honda INSIGHT

Based on 44 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
7
30-60K
11
60-100K
17
100-150K
9
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 32 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
7
60-100K
16
100-150K
7
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Honda INSIGHT

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,171
Per month
$98
Per mile
9.8¢
MPG
41
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$1,200/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,143/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Honda INSIGHT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda INSIGHT Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2012 INSIGHT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 66 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS A QUART LOW SO I ADDED A QUART. I DIDN'T CHECK IT AGAIN BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR THAT TICKING NOISE AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER I TOOK IT TO HONDA IN STOCKTON, CA. TO HAVE A NOISE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL MY INSIGHT WAS ON THE RECALL LIST EARLY IN 2016. LETTER THAT CAME IN MARCH SAID PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MID-SUMMER. I'D CALLED DEALER WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. WAY OVER 60 DAYS SINCE THE VIN WAS POSTED ONLINE. I TRY TO DRIVE IT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE WHILE WAITING. SAD, FOR SOME TRAGIC,

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS A QUART LOW SO I ADDED A QUART. I DIDN'T CHECK IT AGAIN BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR THAT TICKING NOISE AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER I TOOK IT TO HONDA IN STOCKTON, CA. TO HAVE A NOISE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: [I HAVE THE SVC RECORDS FOR THIS INFO-POINTS OF CONTACT ARE AT THE END OF THE REPORT] ON JAN 8TH AT ABOUT 630 AM I WAS DRIVING ON I495W IN VA - I WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF I495 AND THE EXITS FOR I95S AND I395 WASHINGTON. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES/HR AND MY CAR ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED. I PUT MY HA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
66
Recalls
8
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
4
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
50

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Honda INSIGHT