2020 Honda Insight Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/28/2026

The vehicle unintentionally accelerated while pulling into a parking space. I was depressing the brake to slow down while making the right turn into the space. The engine suddenly revved up (as though you were depressing the gas and brake at the same time) and it accelerated forward (a though you suddenly released the brake while depressing the gas pedal) and the car lept forward, jumping a 3 foot long curb, striking the vehicle parked in front of me. The tires kept spinning as though the gas pedal was being depressed, even though the vehicle could no longer make any forward progress since it had run into the front of the vehicle parked in front of me. We’re it not for the vehicle in front, I feel that the car would have continued accelerating forward and could have caused injury or death to customers in the shopping center and/or damage to other vehicles or structures. The vehicle was towed and is currently in the body shop for repairs, but I don’t think this addresses my concern for the sudden acceleration. I don’t want to drive it in case the problem reoccurs and could cause further damage. I’ve reached out to Honda to see if I can tow the vehicle to their service repair center to try to diagnose the problem by reading data from the car’s computer, but they have not responded. I checked the floor mats and they were flat and properly installed. If I had mistakenly depressed the gas pedal (not likely as I was already braking as I approached the parking space), I would have thought that the collision avoidance system would have braked the vehicle. Airbags also did not deploy in either vehicle.

STEERING — Filed 04/01/2026

At approximately 148,000 miles the steering would have an intermittent notchy, or sticky, feeling while driving straight. While driving straight at cruising speed, I noticed that the resistance on the left side of the steering wheel was greater than the right side, then the resistance would decrease suddenly (release), and the steering wheel would rotate slightly to the right, but less than 1 degree, so it would be hardly noticeable on video. The issue seems to only present itself after the vehicle is driven 20-40 minutes and when the temperature is 47 degrees or higher. I have noticed it at low speed (15-20mph) and at highway speeds. If I recall correctly, the issue first presented itself when we had our first 60 degree day and I was driving on the highway with the wheel straight. Then as I accumulated miles throughout the weeks, I would notice that it didn't happen on colder days but then happened more often on warmer days. Now that the vehicle has ~148,800 miles on it, and the air temperature is 67 degrees, the issue presented itself this morning (4/1/2026) after 3 minutes of driving and during the first sweeping left turn on my commute and at approximately 40 mph. Then the issue continued to happen throughout the drive, eventually becoming nearly constant by the end of the 45-minute commute. I do have an appointment with the Honda dealer for diagnosis, but the service advisor and I suspect that the steering rack is failing.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 01/27/2026

Battery keeps draining. On my 3rd battery and believe there’s a defect in the DC/DC converter (earlier recall - K9E). This has caused issues being stranded in the cold.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 08/23/2025

This 2020 Honda Insight performed “phantom braking” of the automated braking system when I was about to enter a clear intersection with no vehicles or obstacles in front of me. It activated the automated braking system and endangered my life and the lives of others over no real threat. This occurred 08/23/2025. The car is well maintained and does not have any service issues. This was completely random.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/23/2025

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. During the failure, the brakes failed to function as intended, and the Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and Forward Collision Avoidance features failed to function as intended. The failure was intermittent. During the first failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted after several minutes and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with battery failure. The dealer also determined that the brake pedal simulator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

STRUCTURE — Filed 07/06/2025

I was driving home from vacation when my engine splash plate came loose from my car on the interstate. The splash plate fell down and dragged on highway creating friction under my car. The metal had fallen down and was chipping away creating dangerous debris to my car and other cars on the highway. Roadside service was no help, per usual. I was traveling alone. The splash plate had to be removed entirely to prevent a fire and more damage to my car. I couldn’t remove the splash plate on the side of the interstate. I drove 30-40 mph to get help to prevent further damage or loss of property and my life.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 11/04/2024

I was driving down the highway, with no one in front of me, and my car alerted BRAKE and brought my car from 70 to an almost complete stop. This jerked myself and my passenger and caused a heat mark from the seat belt on my collar bone. It has done it multiple times since then. I'm terrified to be in traffic and for it to do this. This is most definitely putting my safety at risk, and the safety of others. I have not taken it to the dealership yet.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 08/24/2024

I was driving on a two lane road driving over a small paved bridge going about 40mph with a car next to me and a car behind me nothing in front of me when my car did a hard phantom brake. No pre warning, the display did show BRAKE and it did beep. But everything was sudden. Luckily the car behind was able to slam on brakes. The car behind me continued to follow but was at least 4 car lengths away. I assume bc they didn't know why I braked.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — Filed 05/15/2024

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the vehicle had stalled on several occasions. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed to start-up. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

STRUCTURE — Filed 08/01/2021

The whole hood vibrates while driving or when is windy, very noticeable at times. It was replaced once, almost a year ago but now it needs to be replaced again. same problem eventually the latches will be damaged creating a very hazardous situation. This vehicle has not been on an accident