2021 Honda Insight Safety Report

2021 Honda Insight: Excellent crash ratings, but significant complaints and recalls for ADAS and power loss issues.

22Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
70/100Reliability Score
Most reported components: Forward Collision Avoidance (7)Service Brakes (2)Unknown Or Other (2)Fuel/Propulsion System (1)Seats (1)Engine (1)Electrical System (1)Air Bags,Seats,Unknown Or Other (1)Electrical System,Seats (1)Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Honda Insight

The 2021 Honda Insight presents an overall strong safety profile, evidenced by its perfect 5-star NHTSA safety ratings across Overall, Frontal, Side, and Rollover categories. However, an analysis of the 22 total NHTSA complaints reveals a concerning pattern related to its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and braking components. A significant portion of complaints, 7 out of 22, are specifically attributed to the FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE system, with multiple reports of unintended braking or warnings without obstacles. This suggests a potential software or sensor calibration issue that could pose a crash risk from sudden deceleration. Beyond ADAS, the vehicle has two critical recalls. One recall addresses a potential issue with the AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, where a faulty sensor could lead to unintended airbag deployment, increasing injury risk. The second recall, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER, is particularly severe as it can cause a loss of drive power due to the 12-volt battery not recharging, directly increasing the risk of a crash. Several complaints directly reference this DC-DC converter issue, with one owner reporting the vehicle stalling while driving and another experiencing loss of power steering and brakes. While the crash test performance is exemplary, the real-world complaint data highlights specific areas of concern. The high number of complaints regarding the forward collision avoidance system, coupled with reports of brake system malfunctions (2 complaints for SERVICE BRAKES, including one severe incident where the brake servo control unit broke leading to a crash), indicates that despite strong passive safety, active safety systems may require further scrutiny. The recalls are critical and owners should ensure they are addressed.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Honda Insight receives a reliability score of 70 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.

Known Issues for the 2021 Honda Insight

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Honda Insight:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Unintended Forward Collision Avoidance System Activation
The Forward Collision Avoidance system frequently activates, applying brakes or issuing warnings, when no obstacles are present, leading to sudden and unexpected deceleration.		 High Common unknown miles
Dc-Dc Converter Failure Leading To Loss Of Drive Power
The DC-DC converter may shut down, preventing the 12-volt battery from recharging, which can result in a loss of drive power, power steering, and brakes.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Brake Servo Control Unit Malfunction
Malfunction of the brake servo control unit/pedal simulator, making it difficult or impossible to stop the car, as reported in one incident leading to a crash.		 High Rare unknown miles
Front Passenger Seat Weight Sensor Recall
A capacitor in the front passenger seat weight sensor may crack, leading to an internal short circuit and potentially unintended airbag deployment during a crash.		 High Common unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Honda Insight:

Forward Collision Avoidance 31% of complaints

Frequent unintended activation of the collision mitigation braking system, causing the vehicle to brake without an actual obstacle.

Service Brakes 9% of complaints

Issues with the brake system, including malfunctions of the brake servo control unit and error messages.

Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter 4% of complaints

Failure of the DC-DC converter leading to loss of 12-volt battery charging and drive power.

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger 4% of complaints

Recall related to a faulty seat weight sensor that could cause unintended airbag deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Honda Insight

Is the 2021 Honda Insight safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Honda Insight received excellent 5-star crash safety ratings across all categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover). However, it has 22 total complaints, with a significant number (7) related to the Forward Collision Avoidance system activating without cause, and two critical recalls concerning potential loss of drive power and unintended airbag deployment. While passive safety is strong, active safety systems and specific electrical components have raised concerns.

What are common problems with the 2021 Honda Insight?

The most reported issues for the 2021 Honda Insight are related to the Forward Collision Avoidance system, accounting for 7 out of 22 complaints, where the system brakes or warns without an actual obstacle. Other problems include issues with the service brakes (2 complaints) and a critical recall for the DC-DC converter which can lead to a loss of drive power.

Are there any recalls for the 2021 Honda Insight?

Yes, the 2021 Honda Insight has two recalls. One recall (NHTSA ID: 21V936000) is for the AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, where a faulty sensor could cause unintended airbag deployment. The second recall (NHTSA ID: 21V215000) is for the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER, which can lead to a loss of drive power.

How does the 2021 Honda Insight perform in crash tests?

The 2021 Honda Insight performed exceptionally well in NHTSA crash tests, achieving a perfect 5-star rating in Overall, Frontal, Side, and Rollover categories.

What should I do if my 2021 Honda Insight's Forward Collision Avoidance system activates unexpectedly?

If your 2021 Honda Insight's Forward Collision Avoidance system activates unexpectedly, it is a known issue reported in NHTSA complaints. You should contact your Honda dealer to have the system inspected and potentially recalibrated. It is also advisable to report such incidents to NHTSA to contribute to the data.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Despite excellent crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of significant complaints regarding the Forward Collision Avoidance system and ensure both critical recalls (airbag sensor and DC-DC converter) have been addressed by a Honda dealership.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Honda Insight

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Honda Insight. The data includes 22 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Honda Insight an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.