Engine & electrical system issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
As more automakers move toward hybrid and electric-driven vehicles, the 2020 Honda Insight has grown in popularity. The newest model is hailed as a “hybrid of style and efficiency” by the automaker. Yet, customers can’t stop complaining about the defective electrical system, faulty engine and malfunctioning forward collision avoidance system.
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With the hybrid technology, the electrical system must be in exceptional working order for everything to remain smooth, but that’s not the case.
One NHTSA complaint states, “While driving on the interstate where speed limit is 70 miles per hour, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw smoke coming out of the back of my car. I then saw warnings flashing from my dashboard saying, ‘AC Malfunction,’ ‘LKAS Malfunction’ and then another warning flashed saying, ‘Low Oil Fluid – Stop Car Do Not Drive.’ I coasted car to the side of the interstate and got out of the vehicle and called a towing service.”
There have been other major electrical problems. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V798000 states that nearly 28,000 vehicles are equipped with a defective DC-DC converter that can shut down during operation, leading to the loss of power. Without drive power, occupants are at risk for an accident. Plus, NHTSA Campaign Number 20V771000 goes on to discuss how 737,000 vehicles have a software error that’s running the Body Control Module. It can lead to malfunctions across the entire car, from the rearview mirror to the exterior lighting and windshield wipers. At this point, it might be better to list the electrical components that are actually working since the list is much smaller and easier to deal with.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Structure:body | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Back Over Prevention | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
The engine isn’t shaping up to be that exciting either, with defects running rampant.
Another NHTSA complaint states, “The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that when accelerated to go up a small hill, the vehicle failed to accelerate. … contact stated that the vehicle stay stuck at 40 mph, the contact also stated that the speedometer bouncing up and down 42-20 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle takes 15 minutes to go up one speedometer. The contact called [dealer] and informed them of the failure, the dealer informed the contact to schedule an appointment. … contact stated on another occasion, the contact stated while pulling out the road, a flicker noise occurred, the vehicle stalled. … contact stated that she pushed the start button two or three times to engage the engine.
The vehicle was able to drive. In addition, the contact also stated that there was failure with the radar sensor, it built up with snow causing the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to [dealer] where a test drive was completed with the contact and with her foot on the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate. … contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle battery had to be above 50 degrees to get enough power when the weather drops. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred.”
It appears there are multiple engine and fuel system issues to be aware of as well. For example, NHTSA Campaign Number 21V215000 states that over 600,000 vehicles may have a low-pressure fuel pump that can fail. If this happens, the engine can stall, leaving people at risk of a collision if other cars aren’t paying attention to what’s happening. At this point, drivers might be considered leaving the insight sitting on the side of the street, leading someone else to enjoy the “hybrid of style and efficiency.”
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A final issue that customers are dealing with is the failing forward collision avoidance system, which must run properly to protect occupants.
Here’s one more NHTSA complaint that explains the problem. “The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake engaged erroneously. … contact stated that the failure was intermittent. … contact stated that there was no object or vehicle nearby during the failure. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that he has not contacted the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 33,000.”
While there isn’t a recall for any of these problems, there have been service bulletins written by Honda. Service Bulletin #A21-068 talks about how the ACC system might not work properly if the outside temperatures drop to or near freezing. The question is, do owners in the northern states know of this defect or are they surprised with it every winter? Beyond that, do dealers tell them this is simply a “normal” condition and there’s nothing to worry about. That seems to be the norm with Honda, which is why so many people are choosing to jump ship with all of the new “insight” given.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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