Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Honda Insight. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗HONDA/LOW BEAM LIGHTING
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (12)
12 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The exterior lighting is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 66.7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 16.7% |
| Power train | 1 | 8.3% |
| Tires | 1 | 8.3% |
How 2002 compares with other Insight years
Best and worst Insight years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 24 | 1 |
| 2001 | 15 | 2 |
| 2002 | 12 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 | 119 | 10 |
| 2011 | 41 | 10 |
| 2012 | 59 | 8 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 53 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,250
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 168 g/mi
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 53 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 L 3-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 48 / 59 / 53 | $1,250 | 168 |
| 1 L 3-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 45 / 49 / 47 | $1,450 | 189 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Looking at a 2002 Insight for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 Honda Insight FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 Honda Insight have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V086000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 Honda Insight problems?
Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. Exterior lighting (8), Electrical system (2), Power train (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 Honda Insight get?
EPA rates the 1 L 3-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 48 city, 59 highway and 53 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2002 Insight compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2012 Honda Insight model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2010 the most (119). The 2002 drew 12. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.