49 of the
682 complaints filed about the Honda Insight
are about the braking system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
The brake servo control unit feel simulator which reduces the simulation force provided to the brake pedal during emergency or failed conditions and is a key component of realizing a Regenerative Braking System. It provides a good pedal feeling to a driver, improves energy recovery and ensures braking security. My safety has been put at risk as that part is integral to my brake system (including the hybrid function) e.g. my car was in reverse and the brakes were not responding and had to leave my car. I towed my car to a local independent service provider and they confirmed via the OBD-II scanner that confirmed my break servo control feel simulator is bad and would need to be replaced. After doing research, the brake servo part is made in Japan by a company called Nissin. The part has been recalled in Japan and UK due to failures in similar hybrid models. The brake servo serves many functions including ensures consistency, mimics traditional braking, and provide the driver with a natural-feeling brake pedal, especially because the system relies on both regenerative braking and hydraulic friction brakes. For about 3 days I received a cluster of warning signs from my car such as traction control, brake system, brake, steering malfunction, and ACC. Given that this part directly affects braking capability and overall vehicle safety, I am deeply concerned that my safety has been compromised as the life of the part is supposed to last the life of the car (about 150,000 miles) . I respectfully request an immediate investigation, and would like to know whether this issue is covered under an existing or pending recall campaign. If not, I'd like to submit this to the recall campaign in the U.S. Please advise on the next steps for inspection, replacement, and ensuring my vehicle is safe to drive. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11699002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While stopped at a train track, I used the Brake Hold feature and it was on when suddenly without touching peddles the car went forward and I hit the car in front of me
NHTSA complaint #11693066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX] while driving my 2019 Honda Insight Touring at approximately 35 mph on [XXX] , the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking system suddenly activated without any obstacle present. The car braked very hard, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. This was not the first time it has happened. The same issue occurred on two separate occasions in 2022, also with no vehicles or obstacles nearby. Each time, the system engaged abruptly and without warning. I am concerned about the safety risk of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activating erroneously, as it could easily cause a rear-end collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11685253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This 2020 Honda Insight performed “phantom braking” of the automated braking system when I was about to enter a clear intersection with no vehicles or obstacles in front of me. It activated the automated braking system and endangered my life and the lives of others over no real threat. This occurred 08/23/2025. The car is well maintained and does not have any service issues. This was completely random.
NHTSA complaint #11682568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. During the failure, the brakes failed to function as intended, and the Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and Forward Collision Avoidance features failed to function as intended. The failure was intermittent. During the first failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted after several minutes and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with battery failure. The dealer also determined that the brake pedal simulator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
NHTSA complaint #11675716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car often slams on the breaks when there’s no one near me. It also has the blind spot detection go off when there’s no one next to me (or a highway barrier) Both of these instances have happened numerous times since I’ve had my car. It’s only been 3 years and 25k miles. The problem started as soon as 2-3 months in
NHTSA complaint #11661755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving normally about to enter a clear intersections when the brakes automatically fully engaged bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. There was nothing in front of me, and no cars about to cross in front of me. Lucky there was no accident and I was able to continue on. There have been no issues, inspections, or changes leading up to this incident.
NHTSA complaint #11647876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while her husband was driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the automatic braking system failed to deactivate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11644561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down the highway, with no one in front of me, and my car alerted BRAKE and brought my car from 70 to an almost complete stop. This jerked myself and my passenger and caused a heat mark from the seat belt on my collar bone. It has done it multiple times since then. I'm terrified to be in traffic and for it to do this. This is most definitely putting my safety at risk, and the safety of others. I have not taken it to the dealership yet.
NHTSA complaint #11641019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
According to the driver of the vehicle at the time, for no reason while on a Freeway approaching a construction area at 60 miles per hour with cruse control OFF, the vehicle brakes were applied by (I suspect) the Emergency Braking System (EBS)of the car. The Car, due to the breaking, slowed down to 50 miles per hour and then released the brakes. No one was behind the car at the time. A warning did also appear on the instrument panel at the time of the event. Problem has not been reported to Honda (or anyone else) or reproduced. There were no warnings of any issue prior to the event. This event occurred around the first of January 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11637809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I just read about a NHTSA probe or study that's been upgraded for unexplained braking on Honda Insights. This unexplained sharp automated braking has happened at least half a dozen times in my car. There was never anything in or near the vehicle path that would explain the braking. It was always good weather (no hazard road conditions). In every instance it was a brief but sharp braking (with a loud audible beep beep beep). Three times it occurred within the same 1/4 mile stretch of road, which was a slight decline followed by a slight incline (at the time I was thinking that somehow the optical camera system was picking up some reflected or refracted light from the road or highway markings). But that seems unlikely, and in any case, Louisiana roads, being as horrible as they are, there's no fresh marking paint or other reflective coatings anywhere on the road. I also wondered if maybe it was caused by interference from other radar or radio signals.
NHTSA complaint #11637283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the message “Engine Overheating” had flashed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and then stopped the vehicle and waited 15 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the check engine warning illuminated and the vehicle almost stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the check brakes message was displayed and the stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11606578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
April 17, 2024. Feds expands investigation into Honda’s automatic emergency braking system. “BRAKE” flashes on the dash. As shown in your article. Insight slows down for no reason. I’m a very cautious driver and around my surroundings. No accidents Not told to my dealer or manufacturer. What would they do? Keep me in the waiting room for hours. Then tell me there is nothing wrong. No prior messages before hand. I maintained my vehicle in perfect condition. 14k miles. 2 years old on May 1, 2024. Garaged. My vehicle has this happen all the time. Usually when traveling under 40 mph. In city driving. No vehicles are ahead of me. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11583938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’m having two continuous, multiple incident, problems that the dealership swears up and down do not exist. I have tried calling the dealership multiple times, and the national Honda customer service line. Problem number one, sudden, breaking while driving at highway speed with no vehicle or other objects in front of me. Second problem is the adaptive cruise control no longer is activated on the vehicle after the most recent software update. Although Honda says they have not removed this component from my car or it’s software, the vehicle no longer slows down automatically when approaching a vehicle from behind while cruise control is activated
NHTSA complaint #11573471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This has been happening with my two honda cads. I currently have Honda 2023 CRV and 2021 Honda Insight. the Collison Mitigation Braking System brakes really hard for no reason
NHTSA complaint #11544903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have filed a complaint to the Honda Motor Company in Torrence, California. I have notifed Honda of a serious defect with our vehicles Collision Mitiagation Braking System. Here are the defects with our Honda Insight 2022 vehicle: 1) On three occasions while my wife Nino is driving on the 470 freeway in Colorado between Lone Tree and Littleton CO. Brake warning light comes on, light comes on randomly while driving 65 mph, then the Collision Mitiagation braking system comes on and slows the vehicle down to 15 mph while on the Freeway speed of 65 mph. While the brakes are engaging a forceful vacuum and pressure enters the cabin and that pressure goes to my wife's chest which casues pain. 2) 4th event was on August 15, 2023 while driving south on Kipling Ave in Littleton CO. My wife Nino was driving home appx 6:00 pm at 45-50 mph, when the vehicle did the same thing again, brake warning light displays orange yellow color, then the brakes engage to slow the vehicle down, then pressure and vacuum inside the cabin occurs with pressure towards my wife's chest. I have sent a letter yesterday to the Honda Motor Company. I would like to kindly request that you do an investigation into this matter. This defect on our vehicle is a life and dealth situation defect. My wife has been extremely lucky that no collision occured as a result of these horrible experiences. If the Honda Motor comany has not required a recall, then they should be doing this ASAP to prevent unecessary accidents to prevent citizens from dying. Our vehicle was towed on August 16, 2023 to Kuni Honda in Centennial CO. So far, the service manager said they have not been able to find the problem, but then he changed his story and said something needed to be adjusted 2-3 degrees. I requested more detailed information. I called yesterday to request the tow record and service repair records and they have not provided that info to me yet. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
NHTSA complaint #11540141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I drove into my friends driveway with my foot on the brake to drop her off. All of a sudden my car lurched forward damaging my friends garage door and the foundation of her house. I had zero control of the car at that point. I plan on notifying Honda. There were no warning lights, or messages prior to this disaster.
NHTSA complaint #11538133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brakes failed and the yellow light that comes on as you are approaching another vehicle failed to come on along with the car not slowing down. The drivers foot was on the brake but the car wasn’t stopping. This caused the driver to rear end another vehicle causing a car crash. The dealer was asked about reading the computer to confirm brake failure but was advised they do not have the equipment to read the computer in the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the failure of the brakes not working.
NHTSA complaint #11531137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. 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 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. 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.
NHTSA complaint #11525650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
driver side headlight failed. available for inspection upon request. can't drive without headlight on at nighttime or dark days. I haven't gone to dealer yet. not inspected by manufacturer yet. warning and message: headlight system problem. headlight performance may be reduced. see your dealer. First appeared on 12/12/22. and I was told by gateguard that my left headlight went out, complete off. there was no incident, I didn't even know that it was completely off.
NHTSA complaint #11497733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.