2021 HONDA Insight Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

7 complaints

On two (2) occasions, the "collision mitigation braking system" braked with no reason. It has happened on a quiet and straight line residential street with no other moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or any other obstruction in view. After one second or so of braking, it returned to normal. It is available for inspection. I have not spoken to the local Honda dealer about it, and there were no adverser repercussions. There were no prior warnings of any system malfunction.

Jul 23, 2025

On at least two occasions the automatic emergency braking system has activated with nothing in front of the vehicle. Several instances when cresting a steep rise in the road the forward collision warning system has activated the "BRAKE" warning light.

Jan 22, 2025

Car emergency braking system engaged while there was nothing in front of the car. The automatic brakes were applied and the brake indicator flashed on the driver screen with no warning.

Jun 14, 2024

I previously reported this issue to NHTSA and was given the case number [XXX]. Here is my recent letter to Honda. RE: Case #[XXX] (I was informed that this case was closed) Although I did not agree that the adaptive cruise control issue was resolved, Honda closed the referenced case. I am writing to confirm that the issue is not resolved. I rarely drive the Insight but did so yesterday on a two lanes in each direction, limited access highway. Here are my experiences: On multiple occasions while driving at 60 mph in the right hand lane with ACC controlling the distance to the vehicle in front of me, the vehicle in front moved to the exit lane clearing the path in front of me. As the exiting vehicle slowed in the exit lane, the ACC applied the Insight's brakes, quickly reducing my speed to 30 mph in the driving lane. This sudden slow down exposed me to possible rear end collisions by following vehicles that were surprised by Insight's slowing in the driving lane. Once while driving at 70 mph in the passing lane with the ACC controlling the distance to the vehicle in front of me, the leading vehicle moved to the right lane, clearing the lane in front of me. When the Insight approached the vehicle that had moved to the driving lane and was then going at a slower speed, the Insight applied its brakes, quickly slowing the Insight to 40-50 mph. Again this sudden slowdown exposed me to a rear end collision by the vehicle behind me that was also going 70 mph. This is the same issue that I reported earlier. Despite the Honda dealer where I bought the vehicle servicing the ACC system under warranty, this unsafe issue still exists. It seems that the ACC is not "unlocking" from a leading vehicle when it moves to the right despite the path directly forward being clear. Please advise as to Honda's next step in resolving this safety issue. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Apr 07, 2023

Intermittently the car’s forward collision warning will flash and occasionally start applying the brake without any other vehicles or obstacles in front of me.

Jan 21, 2023

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

The brake servo control unit feel simulator which reduces the simulation force provided to the brake pedal during emergency or failed conditions and is a key component of realizing a Regenerative Braking System. It provides a good pedal feeling to a driver, improves energy recovery and ensures braking security. My safety has been put at risk as that part is integral to my brake system (including the hybrid function) e.g. my car was in reverse and the brakes were not responding and had to leave my car. I towed my car to a local independent service provider and they confirmed via the OBD-II scanner that confirmed my break servo control feel simulator is bad and would need to be replaced. After doing research, the brake servo part is made in Japan by a company called Nissin. The part has been recalled in Japan and UK due to failures in similar hybrid models. The brake servo serves many functions including ensures consistency, mimics traditional braking, and provide the driver with a natural-feeling brake pedal, especially because the system relies on both regenerative braking and hydraulic friction brakes. For about 3 days I received a cluster of warning signs from my car such as traction control, brake system, brake, steering malfunction, and ACC. Given that this part directly affects braking capability and overall vehicle safety, I am deeply concerned that my safety has been compromised as the life of the part is supposed to last the life of the car (about 150,000 miles) . I respectfully request an immediate investigation, and would like to know whether this issue is covered under an existing or pending recall campaign. If not, I'd like to submit this to the recall campaign in the U.S. Please advise on the next steps for inspection, replacement, and ensuring my vehicle is safe to drive. Thank you.

Nov 12, 2025

ON TWO OCCASIONS I'VE HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM EROR MESSAGE POP UP ON MY HOME SCREEN INSIDE OF THE CAR AND ON THE HONDALINK APP 12/09/2020 AND ON 12/18/2020. I WAS LEAVING WORK ON BOTH INCIDENTS. THE MESSAGE READS: THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM OR THE BRAKE FLUID MAY BE LOW. I THERE IS NO RESISTANCE FROM THE BARK PEDAL, DOWNSHIFT TO LOWER GEARS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY STOP IN A SAFE PLACE AND CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. PART TWO: THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM. AVOID HIGH SPEEDS AND SUDDEN BRAKING. HAVE YOUR VEHICLES CHECKED BY A DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARS AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF BEING ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING MOSTLY WHEN I'M ABOUT TO TAKE OFF IN MOTION DURNING STARTUP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 01/15/2021. THEY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE BRAKE ERROR CODE THAT'S SHOWED UP BEFORE. THE TECH TEST DROVE MY CAR FOR 20 MILES AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. TODAY 01/16/2021 WHEN I RETURNED HOME FROM THE STORE THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME WHEN I WAS BACKING THE CAR IN TO MY PARKING SPACE.

Jan 16, 2021

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

I am urging your immediate attention to a safety issue affecting the 2021 Honda Insight. The vehicle’s infotainment system, which controls key safety features including the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), has failed. This malfunction prevents drivers from monitoring tire pressures, applying necessary software updates, and accessing navigation and hands-free features, which significantly increases the risk of accidents. The system's failure distracts drivers and compromises critical vehicle safety functions, warranting an urgent recall investigation. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sep 12, 2024

Honda has a feature called "Traffic Sign Recognition System". With its mounted cameras the car is able to capture traffic signs while driving and display them on the dashboard. THE PROBLEM: the system is not very good at reading traffic signs and posts incorrect speed limits at times. I tried to turn this feature off but Honda does not have an option for that. Displaying the incorrect speed limit is a huge liability for the owner of the car if they decide to lend it to a friend or rent it out.

Oct 27, 2022

ENGINE

1 complaint

Under certain circumstances, the portion of the PCU that controls charging of the 12 volt accessory battery malfunctions, sending the PCU into a "fail safe" mode, preventing battery charging and activating warning displays for the driver. This has caused my vehicle to stall while driving, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. Other honda hybrids during this year have been recalled but not by my VIN number, however I am having the exact same issue. Below has me give a specific date but this happens almost every morning.

Nov 24, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

While my wife was driving my car on a busy road. The servo brake control unit/ pedal simulator broke making it near impossible to stop the car. She had to crash the car into a parking block. And Honda import/export is uncooperative and dismissive of the fact that my wife and daughters lives were jeopardized due to the part malfunctioning

Oct 31, 2025

AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

I received the "important safety recall" letter in March 2024 from the Honda Automobile Division regarding the seat weight sensor circuit board. The letter said that in a crash, the airbags could deploy in a dangerous fashion. I have called my Honda dealer three times since that date. Today, Sept. 10, 2024, I was told again that the dealer did not have the parts to perform the repair, and that it had no idea when it would receive them. I called the national Honda number. Same answer. I called 888-327-4236 to see if NHTSA had more information, held on the phone, then provided my number for a call back. When the NHTSA returned the call, the line was choppy. Either the call dropped, or she hung up on me. She did not call back. I have waited patiently for five months. Neither NHTSA nor my local Honda dealer is able or willing to tell me when this safety issue will be resolved. What is the problem and what is NHTSA doing about it?

Sep 10, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

1 complaint

Summary American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 model year Insight vehicles. A capacitor in the printed circuit board of the front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and lead to an internal short circuit from the exposure to environmental humidity. Safety Risk In the event of a crash, the front passenger frontal and knee airbags may deploy despite the presence of an infant in a child seat or child, increasing the risk of injury. I have reached out to the dealership and said that they are waiting for the parts from the manufacturer. It has been 4 months and have not heard back from the dealership nor from the manufacturer. The safety risk states in the event of a crash, the front passenger frontal and knee airbags may deploy despite the presence of an infant in a child seat or child, increasing the risk of injury, which is very concerning. Please contact Honda manufacturer to get the parts ready and have it replaced at their earliest convenience.

Jun 04, 2024

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

This has been happening with my two honda cads. I currently have Honda 2023 CRV and 2021 Honda Insight. the Collison Mitigation Braking System brakes really hard for no reason

Sep 16, 2023

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

driver side headlight failed. available for inspection upon request. can't drive without headlight on at nighttime or dark days. I haven't gone to dealer yet. not inspected by manufacturer yet. warning and message: headlight system problem. headlight performance may be reduced. see your dealer. First appeared on 12/12/22. and I was told by gateguard that my left headlight went out, complete off. there was no incident, I didn't even know that it was completely off.

Dec 16, 2022

LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

Several times since purchasing this vehicle the blindspot warning has lighted when no vehicles are present. It has lighted while driving next to the k rail center barrier, driving in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway, also at night when no cars are around on a 2 lane road. It has also lighted while driving in the rain with no vehicles around.

Nov 14, 2022

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Insight. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, a deer jumped in front of the vehicle causing the contact to hit the deer but none of the air bags deployed. The contact mentioned that the automatic brakes were engaged during the incident. No one was injured and a police report was filed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was awaiting an inspection. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500.

Jul 14, 2021

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 1/23/21. ON 2/4/21, I WAS DRIVING IN DOBSON, NC, WHEN THE POWER CONTROL UNIT (PCU) MALFUNCTIONED, LEADING TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT WITHOUT WARNING LIGHTS. I THEN BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVE AND STARTED ON MY WAY. AS I WAS DESCENDING A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH SOME BRAKING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FLOW HONDA IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PCU. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 2/9/21. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT FROM WINSTON-SALEM TO DURHAM, NC WITHOUT INCIDENT. SHE THEN DROVE ON I-40 TOWARDS OUR HOME IN RALEIGH, NC. WHILE TRAVELING ON I-40 AT 65 MPH, THE PCU MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN, AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. SHE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, AND THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING WOULD NOT FUNCTION. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE FROM TWO LANES OVER AND THEN COASTED TO THE EXIT TO SAFETY. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED BUT WOULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK (IT COULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT WOULD REVERT TO PARK WHEN MY FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CROWN HONDA OF DURHAM, WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

Feb 10, 2021

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4.9/5.0

52 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2021 HONDA Insight have?

The 2021 HONDA Insight currently has 20 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2021 HONDA Insight?

The most common problems reported for the 2021 HONDA Insight are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2021 HONDA Insight problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2021 HONDA Insight comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.