2013 Honda Insight: excessive oil consumption

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Engine · OH

I have had a 2013 Honda Insight since September 2024 and I have complained about excessive oil consumption since October 2024.This past Saturday my car stopped on the highway when I tried to accelerate. It was towed to Honda and the diagnostic comes back as piston ring replacement with spark plugs. Last November I had 2 spark plugs replaced and my ignition coils. There was an ESB put out by Honda but I was not the current owner then so Honda doesn’t want to cover the cost. I also have contacted the dealership, that is not a certified reseller of Honda, mark Sweeney Buick of Cincinnati, Ohio but since I signed an As Is contract they stated they wouldn’t assist. The first week I got the car there were problems. I feel like mark Sweeney didn’t fully check their car before it was sold. Honda clearly saw that customers were having issues with the oil consumption, otherwise they wouldn’t have put out an 2 ESBs in the first place. I’d really like some assistance on this problem if possible. Attached will be both quotes, 1 from Nov 2024 were actually work was done and the other is what currently needs to be fixed on the car, mainly the piston rings and spark plugs.

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 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 Aug 30, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

2013 Honda Insight Hybrid LX (4 cylinder) vehicle purchased on 8/19/14. thanks This complaint is was filed to due engine oil consumption on my Honda-hybrid. In 2020 my car began losing oil quite frequently as I was having to add or change the oil often. On 8/27/21 I took the vehicle to Honda of Downtown Los Angeles, Kesean Zachary informed me they would need to perform an engine oil consumption test and change the oil. Soon after that the car was again losing oil so I returned it to Honda of Downtown on 11/18/21, where Kesean checked the oil with the dipstick and informed that there was no oil consumption. A month later, the car was still losing oil.. this is my work car and I needed to get this problem resolved.. so I decided to take it back to where I purchased the car, Honda of Hollywood on 3/23/22. I spoke with Willie PIttman who informed me they would need to perform another engine oil consumption test and change the oil. He said to me, drive the vehicle for 1,000 miles and bring the car back - this was on a Wednesday, and on Saturday 3/26/22 I told my wife we were going for a drive to see how the car runs. We drove a 52 miles when we decided to head back home, we drove another 11 miles when the vehicle stalled on the 101-fwy in the City of Camarillo, the car just died while driving in the 2nd lane I veered to the right to try to make it to the shoulder but the car only idled over two more lanes to the right and died in the 4th lane, that's when my wife really panic. I had to replace the engine because the piston rings were all black carbon burnt which were burning the oil. Replaced the Electrical and the regular batteries . Replaced two emission exhausted sensors and also the computer.

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 102,000 miles · ID

So my 2013 honda insight has always consumed oil. I drove from idaho to utah stopped at the store when I started my vehicle up my display has check vsa, check hill start assist system, and check TPMS. I tried driving away from the store to get to honda and it loses all power and barley moves. Kinda like a safe mode and does this every time I start my car.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Engine · 76,276 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 honda insight. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled and all the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced and more oil was added to the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was burning excessive oil and more oil was needed every 1,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to altoona honda (201 valley view blvd, altoona, pa 16602, (814) 944-4517) where an oil consumption test was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,276.

Filed Aug 6, 2018 · Engine · 56,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 honda insight. Upon inspection, the contact noticed an abnormally low oil level after driving 2,000 miles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to winter honda (3850 century ct, pittsburg, ca) where it was confirmed that the vehicle consumed an abnormal amount of oil. The dealer stated that there were no further actions that could be taken at that time due to the consumption being less than one quart every 1,000 miles. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2018 · Engine · NY

2013 honda insight. Consumer writes in regards to excessive oil consumption. *ld consumer sent additional correspondence. *ld consumer sent additional correspondence. The consumer stated the vehicle would shake and hesitate while driving. *js the consumer stated the engine died twice almost causing a crash. The consumer was informed the vehicle was operating as designed.

Filed Nov 9, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 100,354 miles · NJ · fire

We purchased a new 2013 honda insight.the car had excessive oil consumption from the very beginning. It required one quart of oil to be added every 2-3 weeks. We repeatedly voiced our concerns in at least 5 occasions. Each time we were told by the the dealership that the oil consumption 'was normal'. Our complaints were ignored, our concerns dismissed.on january 25, 2017, while my husband was driving on highway I-78, the engine suddenly started losing power and completely stalled. Luckily, there were no other vehicles behind. The car was towed to the dealer, it was discovered there that a cylinder exhaust valve had broken off, causing severe and irreparable damage to pistons and the cylinder head. The engine was rendered useless. American honda rejected to cover any of the expenses. We were told to purchase a used engine, which cost us $4,689.51 out of our pocket in engine, parts and labor. After the repairs, the car continued having excessive oil consumption. On august 24, 2017, the 2nd engine also blew up, coincidentally while driving on highway I-78. This time, we were informed that there was an internal memo from american honda, extending engine warranty to 8 years for insight models 2012 and 2013. American honda keeps this warranty extension quietly. It might appear that they are just waiting for accidents and/or complaints to happen, and only then offer the warranty extension. I believe this is a big safety and warranty issue. I fear for my husband's and other consumers' safety. American honda rejected honoring the warranty coverage, not to reimburse us for the $4,689.51 we paid for the first time engine replacement. This request of ours was rejected for without substantive arguments. While american honda failed to address this issue, engines for this model started failing at about the 100k mile mark, something that has happened to many insight car owners.

Filed Nov 4, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · NJ · fire

The vehicle has on-going "oil consumption" issues that american honda neglected to address. As a result, the oil goes up exhaust pipes to caused engine over heat and blow up during driving on highway. American honda issued an "internal memo" to extend engine warranty to 8 years without notifying car owners. However, they failed to cover our blew-up engine when the first time happened and charged us $4600 for an used engine. Within 8 months, the second engine blew up again on the highway. American honda finally covered the second engine repair. The american honda rejected to reimburse the first engine blow-up. They denied anything wrong with the engine, but the extended the warranty to 8 years??? We have the records for both engine blow-ups.

Filed Sep 22, 2017 · Engine · 60,041 miles · MA

Excessive oil consumption - warning lights do not come on to tell you there is an issue with low oil. Only notice at time of oil changes that levels seemed low. And not oil is basically needing to be checked and monitored like gas. And then sudden emission light at only 60,000 miles on the car and I am told all they will do is fix something once it breaks. Why wont honda just replace engine pieces without continued impact on my time. This oil test is going to cost me an additional 2 hours out of my days coming up for every 1000 miles, 3x!

Filed Sep 9, 2017 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MN

On interstate, chug chug, stop; life in danger, stuck one hour, waiting for aaa; towed, honda dealer, oil consumption blows out spark plugs; honda issues extended warranty; an oil test is done; life is in danger for several months driving 1,000 miles at a time; vehicle could come to complete stop at any moment. This should be a recall, a lawsuit; nothing the driver can do; owner pays for the first repair; why? It is honda's defect. Death before repair an actual concern.