Is the 2020 Honda INSIGHT reliable?

The 2020 Honda INSIGHT has 47 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Honda INSIGHT?

Top problems: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (12 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Honda INSIGHT?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Honda INSIGHT?

The 2020 Honda INSIGHT gets 52 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $923. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Honda INSIGHT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Honda INSIGHT is approximately $1,511/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Honda INSIGHT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Honda INSIGHT has 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 50. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: driving alone on road doing 30 mph the car slammed on the brakes and slowed to about 20 mph while flashing "brake" in instrument cluster. no other cars on this road at the time. there were shadows across the road from sun and trees. since i always drive the speed limit, if there is someone follow. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

12 complaints

26%

• DRIVING ALONE ON ROAD DOING 30 MPH THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MPH WHILE FLASHING "BRAKE" IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. NO OTHER CARS ON THIS ROAD AT THE TIME. THERE WERE SHADOWS ACROSS THE ROAD FROM SUN AND TREES. SINCE I ALWAYS DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT, IF THERE IS SOMEONE FOLLOW
• VERY OCCASIONALLY THE CAR COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS KICKS IN ERRATICALLY. THE CAR BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY TO REDUCE SPEED SUBSTANTIALLY. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE SOMEONE MIGHT HIT FROM THE BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON CITY STREETS AS WELL AS THE HIGHWAY. I THINK IT MIGHT BE DUE TO TH
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V771000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE ON 3/1/2021, SHE NOTICED SOMEONE SLEEPING INSI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“DRIVING ALONE ON ROAD DOING 30 MPH THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MPH WHILE FLASHING "BRAKE" IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. NO OTHER CARS ON THIS ROAD AT THE TIME. THERE WERE SHADOWS ACROSS THE ROAD FROM SUN AND TREES. SINCE I ALWAYS DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT, IF THERE IS SOMEONE FOLLOW”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Honda INSIGHT

Based on 21 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 6K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER17/12/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Honda INSIGHT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$923

Per month

$77

Per mile

7.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$873/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$980/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

Show:

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 2020 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,511

Full coverage / month

$126

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-10%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1511

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 2020 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

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 47 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: DRIVING ALONE ON ROAD DOING 30 MPH THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MPH WHILE FLASHING "BRAKE" IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. NO OTHER CARS ON THIS ROAD AT THE TIME. THERE WERE SHADOWS ACROSS THE ROAD FROM SUN AND TREES. SINCE I ALWAYS DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT, IF THERE IS SOMEONE FOLLOW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V771000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE ON 3/1/2021, SHE NOTICED SOMEONE SLEEPING INSI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I BOUGHT A 2020 HONDA INSIGHT IN MARCH 2020. I HAVE 8,000 MILES ON IT AND JUST THE THREE WEEKS AGO I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED SAYING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, SEE DEALERSHIP. IT'S BRAND NEW. I TOOK IT TO THE LODI HONDA AND THE CODES WERE A STUCK SELONIED. THEY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ~TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATE TO GO UP A SMALL HILL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STAY STOCK AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER BOUNCING UP AND DOWN 42-20 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)