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2013 Honda Insight: check engine light

8 of the 45 complaints about the 2013 Honda Insight describe check engine light.

owner complaints
8
of this car's complaints
18%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 12, 2023 · Engine · TX

Noticed decreased performance & frequent oil changes in 2015. At first, I did not know the weak engine performance was related to the oil consumption & was never offered diagnostic testing until May 2023 across multiple Honda shops in different states. With this, I was under the impression that my car was performing within normal limits. Finally in May 2023 the local Honda shop recommended the proper diagnostic test & told me about the known piston/oil consumption defect known to this model & the (expired) warranty extension that was associated with it. I returned end of Aug 2023 to get results of my oil consumption test, which was positive. At this time, they quoted me a repair cost (to change out the piston rings, gaskets, & spark plugs) but I had to defer due to the high cost. The service representative that day happened to be rude/dismissive & also did not tell me how urgent this repair is or what the consequences of not repairing could be. I have been driving my car in the local area/mainly on surface streets while waiting for the service manager to get back to me about appealing to Honda USA for a goodwill repair. In the interim, my car suddenly & randomly stopped working while on the road. Just started shuddering, engine lost power & could not go more than 10 mph. 4 engine lights came on (check emissions, steering, VSA, hill assist systems). No real warning beforehand, I had been living with this defect undiagnosed for years. I was fortunately on a small streets at night when there was no traffic, so I did not lose power with other cars around, but had this happened on a busy/fast road, it could have easily caused an accident.

Filed Aug 15, 2023 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that vehicle failed to respond after shifting the transmission to the desired gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · AZ

I experienced "rough running" of my 2013 Honda Insight just prior to August of 2021. Initial work on the vehicle helped, but repairs became increasingly expensive and extensive. EX: A simple oil change on about 8/2/2021 (mileage at 64,545). At about mileage 68,370 the vehicle failed again (showing check engine light / stalling); repair shop found a misfire on cylinder #4, and all 8 of the spark plugs were replaced. Â Then on/about Nov./2022 (mileage at 71,988), the vehicle was running rough again (with check engine light on) and the repair shop found a miss in cylinder #4 again, and then replaced cylinder #4 Â spark plugs and coils. On/about Feb./2023, the vehicle had more problems (running rough) and then the repair shop found a misfire on #4 again (spark plug was replaced.) On/about 5/18/2023, I took my vehicle in for a routine oil change. About two days later, on/about 5/20/2023, I (along with my girlfriend) drove on the freeway for a long trip. We had only been on the freeway for a few miles when the engine died. I had accelerated to 75 m.p.h. on a slight upgrade and was in the process of setting the cruise control when the engine revved up to 4,000 r.p.m.'s (as if it was climbing a steep hill); several warning lights showed up on the dashboard. Â I immediately disengaged the cruise control while in the left lane and (thankfully due to no vehicles being near us) was able to get the vehicle off to the right edge of the freeway. The vehicle had no power. I called a tow truck and the driver attempted to drive the Honda Insight onto his ramp (with thick smoke billowing out of the exhaust pipe) but it was only able to go half the car length up the ramp. At first, I was told it needed 2 spark plugs and was fixed. I reminded them that all 8 had recently been replaced; they then said no compression on #2 / that engine was dead. Took it to Honda; diagnosed it as the oil consumption issue. Check lights are for systems: emmission, brake, VSA, w/ various other lights on dash.

Filed May 11, 2023 · Engine · 92,000 miles · FL

The contact owns 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine was consuming 3-4 quarts of oil per 1,000 miles driven. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil change. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2019 · Engine · 101,000 miles · AL

Traveling 65mph on highway with cruise control on. Lost power and check engine light came on. I pulled to the shoulder, engine continued to run, but would not accelerate. Turned car off and back on and multiple check messages displayed. I had car towed to local honda dealer shop. They informed me spark plugs needed to be replaced. I agreed, but next day they called to tell me the entire engine needed to be replaced. Honda has extended the engine warranty, but no one from dealer mentioned that. They wanted more for new engine than the car is worth.

Filed Jan 25, 2017 · Engine · NY

2013 honda insight. Consumer writes in regards to unintended acceleration and temporary brake failure. *smd consumer sent additional correspondence. *smd sent again on 12/22/16, 1/11/17. *smd the consumer stated while the brake pedal was depressed, the engine made a loud noise of acceleration and the vehicle sped up. On a separate occasion the oil, check engine, check emission, check hill start assistant, and check vsa light all illuminated. The engine shuttered. *js the consumer stated the engine oil dip stick showed a drop of oil below the lowest of the two holes. The consumer added oil. However, seven days later, the oil was low again. The consumer stated the vehicle is excessively burning oil. *jb updated 08/4/2017*js *js

Filed Dec 11, 2015 · Engine · VA

At about 24500 miles, I drove for 1500miles rig1500milesoil service at dealer, the engine light came on. I contact them and they towed the vehicle to the dealer/service. They filled the engine and told me to drive 1000 miles and came back for them to test oil consumption. I did it for 2 times consecutive and they say it was within normal level. I ask them to test again. They agree. Now, after drive 1500 miles I went back and there was no oil in the engine. A fraction below the lower level. Now, they will submit a repair request to honda of USA, but, my vehicle is up to 27500 miles. Tecnicaly not covered by warranty. But sense I notice and they documented the problem before 25000, it will be repaired under warranty. What will happen after another 5000 miles only god knows. Honda of USA should do a recall on engine rings and pistons or even replace it all.

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Engine · CA

Excessively burn engine oil. Defective piston rings car was stalling on freeway with "check engine" "check brake" " "check hill start assistant" "check vsa" light flashing. I researched and found exact same symptons which was filed for 2012 honda insight. Refer to the federal safety agency id number: 10747250. He has described what I'm experiencing word by word. In 2013, honda settled class-action law suit with same problem on different models, but 2013 insight has same defects, excessive oil-burning, faulty piston rings, etc. I was lucky enough not having accident on freeway, but suddent stalling may cause crash, injury, and fatality. This is serious safety issue.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2013 Honda Insight check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2013 Honda Insight?

8 of 45 owner complaints about the 2013 Honda Insight (18%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Honda Insight?

There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Honda Insight

Oil consumption 22Engine failure 8Stalling 7

All model years of the Honda Insight

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