Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Insight.
Defined by its automatic transmission with variable gear ratios and a 3.5-quart 0W-20 oil specification, the 2021 Honda Insight achieves an EPA-rated 55 city, 49 highway, and 52 combined mpg. Across the model's complaint history spanning 2000 to 2022, this specific year records just 24 total owner complaints, sitting far below the peak of 119 in 2010 and near the historic low of 2 in 2004. With 3 recalls and Forward Collision Avoidance as the top complaint area, this positions the 2021 Insight as a relatively stable point in the nameplate's reliability timeline, though researchers should note that specific driver-assist systems remain the primary focal point for reported issues.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 51R · 295 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Overall length | 183.5 in |
| Overall width | 74 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3047 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 55 / 49 / 52 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Insight of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | EX Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec 1.2-kWh | 7.30 sec | 15.80 sec | 151 hp | FWD |
| 2019 | Touring Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec 1.2-kWh | 7.40 sec | 15.90 sec | 151 hp | FWD |
| 2019 | Touring Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec 1.2-kWh | 7.60 sec | 16.10 sec | 151 hp | FWD |
| 2019 | Touring Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec 1.2-kWh | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 151 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.1 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 1.24 Gallons |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.5 qt |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Use a beam type torque wrench if available. |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Flex or Driveplate Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 1100 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 1100 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Honda |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.0.39-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.87-0.98 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | DENSO ND-11 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 295 cca |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 46.4 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 53.7 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 46.4-53.7 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 11.6 minimum psi @ curb idle speed psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure RPM | 47.9 minimum psi @ 3,000 rpms. rpm |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 25.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | 80.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.3 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: .827; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006" |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016" |
| 1 | Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Step 3: Perform inspection of front suspension bolts, brushings and nuts. Step 4: Replace any loose, damaged or deteriorating parts. Step 5: Perform inspection of ball joint boot for leaks, cracks or any damage. Step 6: Inspect lower control arm by holding the outside and moving up and down. Step 7: Replace control arm if there is any noise or looseness or if the lower control arm and ball joint clearance exceeds specifications. Step 8: Replace ball joint if damaged. | |
| 1 | 27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 27 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°. | 22 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 Honda Insight sits in the middle of the third-generation run (2019–2022) and shows a clear downward trend in complaints and recalls from the model’s launch year. In 2019, the first year of this generation, there were 97 complaints and 8 recalls; by 2021, complaints dropped to 24 and recalls to 3—a significant improvement. The 2021 model also has fewer complaints than the 2022 model (29) and fewer TSBs (25 vs. 13 in 2022, though TSBs are not necessarily a negative). The top complaint area for 2021 is Forward Collision Avoidance (7 reports), but there was only 1 crash complaint and no fire reports. While the data does not specify root causes, the declining complaint and recall numbers suggest that Honda addressed early-generation issues by 2021. With three investigations still open across the 2020–2022 period, some oversight remains, but the 2021 Insight is a solid buy within this generation, offering a notably lower problem rate than the 2019 and 2020 model years.
All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid… Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall…
Showing 5 of 25 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A21-068 | 2023-10-25 | Vehicle Speed Control | Service Bulletin - The ACC system error message comes on while driving when outside… |
| A21080A | 2023-10-17 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Service News - If an Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem comes back on when the… |
| ATI&03272023904 | 2023-03-27 | Parking Brake | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all… |
| ATI&03102023904 | 2023-03-10 | Parking Brake | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all… |
| ATI&02232023903 | 2023-02-23 | Parking Brake | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any & all… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.5 qt of Honda 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 55 city / 49 highway / 52 combined mpg.