Model year guide

2001 Honda Insight

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Honda Insight is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2001 Honda Insight — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 Honda Insight at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints27
Combined49 mpg

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2001 Honda Insight recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #02V196000 · 24/07/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-38…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #04V086000 · 24/02/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOW-BEAM TERMINAL ON THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN OVERHEAT AND COULD CAUSE THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND ONE MATING PIN IN THE COUPLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AP…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2001 Honda Insight common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2001 Honda Insight MPG & running costs

Combined49 mpg
City46 mpg
Highway53 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,250

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 Honda Insight costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$6,250
Fuel only$6,250
Per mile$0.08

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2001 Honda Insight trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
1.0L 3-cyl 65 hp

2001 Honda Insight vehicles on record

2001 Honda Insight 2001 Honda Insight BaseJHMZE14751T003402

Other Honda Insight model years

2022 2021 2019 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2003 2002 2000

2001 Honda Insight — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Honda Insight have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2001 Honda Insight. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Honda Insight?

Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting, power train, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Honda Insight get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2001 Honda Insight at about 49 mpg combined (46 city / 53 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.