Honda Insight engine failure problems

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 Jul 14, 2023 · Engine · NC

Engine light came on around 60,000 miles. Indicated cylinder 4 compression off. Eventually diagnosed as blown head gasket resulting in engine replacement costing over $4300. I was told there was an extended warranty on the 2017 and 2018 models but not the 2019 model year. I did purchase one of the first insights produced in the 2019 model year and wonder if I received an engine with the same issue as the 2018.

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 Dec 9, 2021 · Engine · IL

We were driving our Honda in a 70mph zone and the car's speed suddenly dropped to 15mph. We were not able to drive any faster than 15mph and could have been killed while driving on a highway where other cars were driving at 70mph, or we could have caused a pile up of cars with multiple accidents. We were very lucky that we were able to pull over to the side of the highway before another car hit us. We were not even able to drive to an exit, and had to sit on the side of a busy highway for nearly 3 hours as we waited for a tow truck. Multiple warning lights came on at the same time the speed of the car suddenly dropped. Warning lights for most systems on the car starting flashing at this point, but not in advance to warn us. We had the car towed to a local mechanic and he told us that a piston in the engine had failed completely and the engine would need to be rebuilt. We contacted Honda on the first business day after our engine failed, which was Monday, November 15. The engine in our car is currently under an extended warranty with Honda because of problems with the pistons and engine. It was not part of a recall, but definitely should have been! Instead, Honda called it a "customer preference". Honda admitted to us on the phone that this was part of the "customer preference" and that the Honda dealer should repair the engine as part of the extended warranty; however, it has been nearly a month since our initial call to Honda and they still have not authorized the work. We have called them approximately 15-20 times in the past month and they continue to evade our calls by telling us that "a manager will get back to us". We have been told this repair will cost approximately $10,000, and therefore, it's not an option for us to just pay for the repair ourselves. Honda is aware of this safety issue, they have not issued a recall for it and they clearly have no intention of honoring their warranty for this issue. As consumers, we don't know what to do.

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 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 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 Sep 17, 2018 · Engine · 136,113 miles · VA

My daughter's honda insight experienced the excessive oil consumption issue. Her vehicle later had severe engine problems and stalled at 6:00 am on I-64. A honda dealership diagnosed the problem as damage to cylinder, piston, cylinder head and valves of cylinder number 3. All other cylinders were within normal operating conditions. My complaint is that the notice sent to consumers omitted that the excessive oil consumption could lead to engine failure and an accident. Consumers with little or no mechanical knowledge who purchased this vehicle used, may not be aware of the problem and will not be aware of the risk and severity of the problem. Those who notice excessive oil consumption may assume that it is from age and not a design defect that could place their life in danger. The service bulletin sent by honda to its dealerships is almost identical to that provided the consumer with one exception. The service bulletin included additional information describing the potential damage to the engine from the manufacture's defect. When the natural consequences of this manufacture's defect occur it the engine immediately loses power and will not run. In my daughter's case it was early in the morning with little traffic. However, she was on I-64 about to merge onto I-95. Had the engine failed at a later time in the day she would have lost power in traffic on a major highway. Vehicles behind her would have no reason to expect a sudden loss of acceleration. The potential for rear-end collisions and/or crashes while the operator of this model honda is attempting to exit the highway with no power is very high.

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.