Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Honda Insight owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Insight. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact stated that the check engine, emissions, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park near a gas station. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an oil consumption test to completed. The dealer informed the contact that the pistons needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The car has only 83000 miles. We bought the vehicle 2 months ago from the estate of an individual that passed away. We were driving the vehicle and the gas pedal stopped working. Prior to this happening, we noticed no oil leak from the car. Per the manual we were checking oil level everytime we filled car up and would top it as it would be lower. We were driving the car on the highway and when we pressed on the gas pedal it stopped working, the car was not moving. Several lights came on the car, check engine etc. We took it to the dealership for a check and was told that the car needed a new engine at the tune of $17000. Honda Company stated that the car had no warranty on the engine and they would take no responsibility for failure. Was told engine block and piston 1 to 4 had misfire. No prior warning was given to us. The spark plugs for those pistons had melted the head.
I was driving in a line of slow moving traffic on a two line lane main street keeping a constant speed of 22 MPH when suddenly my car lurched forward accelerating rapidly making a high pitched screaming sound. As the car gained speed I swerved into the other lane to avoid crashing into the car in front of me. Meanwhile I stomped on the foot brakes, pulled on the emergency brake and shifted into park trying to stop the car. Barely missing a head on collusion, the car jumped over the sidewalk, took down a steel sign, scraped over concrete barriers as it continued now at a speed of approximately 55 MPH. It stopped only after I crashed it into the front window of a cafe. I'm concerned that this hybrid has a serious defect causing it to suddenly accelerate.
Checked oil level and found it below the bottom indicator mark (oil percentage life meter was above 60% at this point.. Took it in to Honda of santa maria, ca , while driving to dealership emission systems fault warning came on. They confirmed almost all oil was gone. They had me pay for an oil change to start a oil consumption test, and return at 500 mile point to view loss. They said no loss at that point. 4000 miles later the emission system warning came back, same as before all oil was gone. This time they did an oil change and wanted me to do a 1000 mile and return to check - oil down .25 of oil indicator marks. Did no top off and went another 1000 miles and rechecked, 1 quart low on oil, but Honda America says this is with in tolerance and to date refuses to do anything g about it. …
My Honda Insight 2012 is burning oil. After an oil change I drive around 3500 mile and the red engine oil warning light comes on. First time it happened I took the car ,like 3-4 years ago, to the dealer. They replaced the piston rings under warranty but it did not solve the problem. I am dealing with this problem for the last around 3-4 years. It always happens after around 3500 mile, I get the red light. I take it to dealer and dealer starts oil consumption test and tells me nothing is wrong. They did oil consumption test 4 or 5 times already. One time they told me that they had to add 3.5 quart oil and the engine block needs to be replaced since piston rings are already replaced. I was inexperienced to not get a written document stating they added 3.5 quart oil. Then they told me that they will contact Honda about it. A few days later they called me and said Honda thinks it is normal. …
About two months ago, my car began fluttering after I started the engine and began accelerating. The power felt reduced as well. Like most people's first instinct, I began checking the oil and noticed the oil appeared low especially considering that I had received an oil change not long before this occurred. Since then I've head to check the oil incessantly and am constantly adding oil to supplement. Then I bergen noticing an oil leak in my drive way and almost anytime I parked somewhere for a short period of time. Then my engine light began coming on telling me to check the vehicle's emissions system. This was an issue I had never seen before. Now I realize this message is illuminated due to a high oil consumption of the vehicle. The final straw that broke the camel's back was, while on the highway my vehicle began losing engine power and could not get above 65 MPH. …
Excessive oil consumption - Honda Insight 2012. Engine light came on while driving, took car to the dealer and dealer found no oil (although car stated it was at 50%). Dealer added oil, suggested I return after 1,000 miles. Brought back car after 1,500 miles and dealer said that per Honda, car must have been brought back after 1,000 miles. No noticeable oil loss. At next oil change, dealer found oil to be very low. Brought back car after an additional 1,000 miles and Honda performed oil consumption test. Test came back negative. Latest oil change, now indicator states at 60% oil and engine light appeared while driving on June 4th. Dealer found no oil. Dealer is now performing a overhaul on my engine. Dealer will have my car for at least one week or maybe two as I was told that there are two other cars with the same problem ahead of me. Dealer offered car rental.
I am consuming to much oil. I did not know that there was a problem til after I bought car and the check emission light came on. I thought it was because I didn't not screw my gas cap on tight enough. Then I went to a local store to have them check my oil and they said I had none, and checked my mileage, they said I should have had oil in there at the mileage number it was at. So I have taken the car 3 times to dealer they have done oil consume test, and want me to come in to perform a higher price oil change for $90 to slow oil consumer. They said I was no longer in warranty to fix it. But if this is a known issue why is it that purchasers must come out of their pocket it should taken care of through dealership. I am one that does not have the funds to take care of all this. Also at times it stalls
Car has 95,000 miles. High oil consumption. All 8 spark plugs have to be changed every 3-4000 miles. Very expensive. The problem is the spark plugs get fouled, and burnt up, so there is no electrode left. When that happens the car immediately slows down to 5 MPH. I almost got killed and run over by a tractor trailer last sat. 10/29/16 on interstate 81 south by new milford, pa. He was right on my back. I could only see his grill. The car will stay in that mode, "limp mode" until repaired. This has happened 3 times to me in the past 2 years. Now cylinder 4 is blown. This is a fairly newer car and Honda refuses to repair it for free or issue a recall. Many other Honda owners of this car have the same problem. I am forced to sell it for a fraction of its cost. Help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda Insight. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to be coasted to the side of the road. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, but it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. The vehicle was later taken to priority Honda hampton (located at 4115 w Mercury blvd, hampton, va 23666, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the piston three in cylinder three, valve, and engine head needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Engine complaints in other Insight years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Honda Insight?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Honda Insight, 61% of the model year's 59 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda Insight engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2012 Honda Insight, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Insight engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.