Model overview

The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric car that was produced and sold by Honda in its first generation as a two-passenger liftback and in its second generation as a five-passenger liftback. In its third-generation (2019), it became a four-door sedan until the present. It was the maker's most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicle available in the U.S. without plug-in capability.

Honda launched the second-generation in the United States on March 24, 2009. It was one of the least costly hybrid vehicle available in the US.

The Insight is powered by a combination of a gas engine and electric motors delivering a combined 151 horsepower, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.

Honda Insight known problems

Some of the common problems or complaints owners have about the Honda Insight are:

• Knocking sound coming from the CVT gearbox when accelerating, when the car is moving or when it's set into D. The CVT gearbox is very complex and as a consequence, there are plenty of things that could go wrong.
• Ground cables corroding which can make the vehicle to not start. There are three ground cables that could corrode, the cable placed between battery and firewall, within the left side and tranny and within the left side and air filter support.
• Suspension problems observed when driving over rough surfaces, or speed bumps. There is also a clunking noise coming from the rear suspension which is mainly produced by the excessive weight of the hybrid battery.
• Corrosion on A-pillar quickly within the outside of the pillar and the windscreen. There are also seen corrosion issues on the doors and the bonnet around the edges.
• Fuel cap release switch prone to fail. Found at the right-hand side of the driver the problem is produced by corrosion or failure of the release spring.
• The Honda Insight Hybrid battery warning light indicating an issue with the battery.

Honda Insight PDF owner manual

Posted by, John Mana

A passionate guy about car models, makes, and manuals.