2000 Honda Insight recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The 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 APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 INSIGHT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Honda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V086000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-999-1009.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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 APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (9), Airbags (6), Lights (5), Seat belts (4), Visibility (wipers / glass) (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/13/2015 · Lights
HONDA INSIGHT 2000 LOW BEAM LIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HONDA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR BECAUSE MY VIN DID NOT SHOW A RECALL. THE HONDA INSIGHT 2000 IS LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE OWNED MANY HONDAS IN THE PAST, BUT NOW AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILL NOT BE P…
04/07/2014 · Electrical system
THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE 2000 INSIGHT. FIRST, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD BUT FOUND NOTHING. I GOT BACK IN AND THE SMELL CAME BACK AS I STARTED DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS GOT DIM FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN WENT OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR. THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE LEF…
12/07/2012 · Lights
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA INSIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN OPERATION, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHT…
12/07/2012 · Lights
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA INSIGHT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED SO THAT THE CONTACT COULD CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
03/17/2010 · Electrical system
THE "DIM" HEADLIGHTS ON MY HONDA INSIGHT WENT OUT. THE "BRIGHTS" STILL WORK BUT NO DIMS. I CHECKED ON LINE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR FOR A FAULTY DIM SWITCH THAT WILL MAKE THE DIMS GO OUT. WHEN I CALLED A DEALER AND GAVE HIM MY VIN HE SAID MY CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN "THROUGH" THE RECALL AND ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WOULD COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. I…
02/14/2010 · Electrical system
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2000 HONDA INSIGHT WENT OUT AT 7,000 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. THEY REPLACED THE ON BOARD COMPUTER AND NOW THEY SAY THEY CAN FIX IT BUT WANT $500.00. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES. THE LARGE ONE THAT POWERS THE CAR. DESPITE MANY MANY TRIES THEY HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS LIGHT. SO I DON'T KNOW I…
09/13/2007 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MAKES A TERRIBLE CRUNCHING NOISE WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN AND HAS PUT A HUGE SCRATCH ON THE WINDOW. DIX HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS CHECKED IT 3X, BUT CAN'T "RECREATE THE PROBLEM". *TR
01/05/2007 · Electrical system
TL* - THE CONTACT'S 2000 HYBRID HONDA INSIGHT HAD A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER . DURING THE LAST INCIDENT THE CAR BECAME STRANDED ON A BUSY ROAD IN THE DARK WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS. THE DEALER TOLD HIM TO COME IN SO THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE BATTERY.*AK