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2012 Honda Insight engine problems

36 complaints (61% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 72,429. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
36
of this car's complaints
61%
typical mileage
72,429
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda Insight engine problems in other years

200020012003200620102011201220132019202020212022

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Honda Insight engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Oil consumption 29Stalling 7Check engine light 5Engine failure 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Honda Insight owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Engine · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2023 · Engine · NE

Oil consumption issues. I can't drive my car 10 feet without dying. I was stuck in traffic when my car died from the issues. Look up TSB 15-015

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Engine · 82,000 miles · NE

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.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Engine · 76,883 miles · PA

Tthis car has safety problems burns oil like crazy , my daughter was driving down 81 when the dash lights came on the car was shaking so she pulled over and called the police who impounded the car 300 to get it out then we had it towed over 100miles . Honda dealer says the spark plug failed and went into the engine . Getting prices on a new engine .

Filed Nov 12, 2020 · Engine · 130,200 miles · TX

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. The engine began making loud puttering noises, that were especially intense while the vehicle was costing and immediately upon accelerating from a complete stop. My fear is that the engine is shot at this point. I'm even more concerned after seeing this is a chronic issue with many owners off this year - make - model. Unfortunately, I purchased this vehicle used and haven't had it even a year.

Filed Oct 19, 2019 · Engine · 89,000 miles · WA

This car is the absolute worst car I have ever owned. The oil consumption is outrageous and the car only has 89k miles on it. It also burns through spark plugs like crazy, I've probably put close to 500 dollars into it at least just in oil and spark plugs this year alone. In the two years I have owned it, it has left me stranded in strange neighborhoods, parking lots, at my job, and at my home because of it throwing the spark plugs with no warning. Upon changing the plugs, all cylinders, especially four, are filled with oil. Most recently, I changed the spark plugs in my work parking lot, and refilled the oil. A week later, I found myself repeating the same process because it killed the plugs again. I have been driving down the road and suddenly lost acceleration, in traffic, and had my dash light up like a christmas tree. To the best of my knowledge, the 2012 and 2013 engine contains experimental piston rings, which are clearly faulty. Not just by my own account, but by countless others as well. I do not have five grand to replace the engine or have it rebuilt, and I should not have to. Honda needs to be held responsible for their mistake and should be forced to recall these engines. The consumers who purchased these vehicles should not be forced to pay for something that is out of their control. These cars are ticking time bombs, I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy. I will be filing complaints with honda itself as well as the bbb in addition to this one. Please do something about this, I saw how many other complaints you have received in regards to this issue. It's time to do something about this instead of ignoring it and letting honda get away with it. If it died on the freeway, which it almost has, it would become a serious threat to my safety and those around me.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Engine · 68,000 miles · OK

I have a 2012 honda insight with 80000 miles and am having excessive oil consumption at 1 quart of oil per 2000 miles of driving per the dealership. Honda says this is acceptable and only a problem at 1 quart per 1000 miles driven. I have read the concerns and the vehicle has poorly seated rings due to a design defect admitted by honda. My concern is this is resulting in loss of compression and resulting total loss of power leaving people with vehicles rolling down the road and then the engine drops out totally. This is a safety issue, environmental issue and of course customer theft issue.

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Engine · 72,429 miles · WI

My honda insight 2012 is burning oil. After an oil change I drive around 800 miles I'm 1/2 quart low on oil. This is not normal at all.

Filed Feb 15, 2019 · Engine · 95,000 miles · DC

I have a 2012 honda insight. On 12/23/18 I was driving on the highway and the power cut out. This is the 3rd incident in a one year and half where the spark plugs have blown cutting the power to the car. Mechanic told me it would be $1700. I couldn't get it fixed I was getting on a plane 3 days later for three weeks. Evidentally it has to something with the excess burning of oil getting to the spark plugs. I've found where others have this problem also. Its quite expensive to fix. This has to be a manufacturer problem. Now I'm without a car again. At this time I am walking with a walker and no car. This keeps happening! What is going on.

Filed Dec 16, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 112,000 miles · CA

Oil consumption and shaking

Questions about the 2012 Honda Insight engine

Does the 2012 Honda Insight have engine problems?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Honda Insight, 61% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2012 Honda Insight engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 72,429 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Honda Insight engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2012 Honda Insight problems

Airbags 11Acceleration 3Fuel system 3Seats 2Body 1Brakes 1Driver assistance 1Electrical 1Transmission 1

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