Two problems related to engine oil leaking have been reported for the 2012 Honda Insight. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I purchased my car in July 2015 from a used car dealership. It had approximately 64k miles on it. A month later my check emissions light came on while driving in a residential area. The car had received a complete oil change the day I purchased it but I took it to a local service shop where they informed me my car was low on oil. A month later the check emissions light came on again. It was a quart low. I added a quart (not cheap for hybrids as Honda recommends api premium grade 0w-20 detergent oil only). Another month passes and the check emissions light comes on again after I just turned the ignition on. Also I had started experiencing the engine stalling. Example, going from breaking to accelerating it simply stalls. Takes about 30 seconds before acceleration begins to engage. In December, as I drove up a hill the car started stuttering. At the top of the hill my speed dropped to 16 mph and wouldn't go any faster. I pulled over, turned off the engine, waited a few minutes then started it again. I stepped on the accelerator and it crawled to 11 mph. The car was towed to the nearest Honda dealership where the service department informed me I needed spark plugs. That was 12/18/2015. Mileage was at around 66k. A week later they said the oil was leaking into the cylinders and they needed to check with Honda to see what repairs they were willing to cover. Estimated parts/labor=$8000. It's not on the recall list but should be, as there are so many complaints. Honda is not willing to give a loaner vehicle during this whole ordeal. My service advisor informed me I could pick up my personal belongings from my car as it didn't appear I would be getting it back anytime soon! I loved my car and the Honda brand but this has turned me completely off. Today is 1/11/2016 and still no word from Honda about my car or the responsibility they are going to take.
At aprox. 59,000 miles my Honda Insight set a check engine light when I made a sharp left turn. The engine acted like it went into the "limp home mode. " I pulled off the road and shut off the car. When I checked the oil, there was none on the dipstick. I was able to start the car and drive it to a store where I could get some oil. It took 3 quarts to fill it up. I change to oil and filter myself so I wondered what had happened. When I checked under the car I couldn't find any leaks. I work 6 days a week so I can't go to the dealer. I drive 120 miles a day round trip to work. I keep my eye on the oil and it seems that it started using 1qt. Every 2000 miles. At 89,000 miles it was going through 1qt. Every 1000 miles. Still no leaks, no smoke from the exhaust and good power. I have to keep a gallon of oil in the back because sometimes the oil will be 3 qts. Low after driving to town on the weekend. At 120,000 miles it started going through 1qt. Every 720 miles. Still plenty of power. At 125,000 miles the check engine light came on and "hill start" "brake system" and "vsa" message came up on the display. After driving 1 day, the other faults will go away, but the check engine light stays on. After reading the codes, the info says that the catalyst is below minimum. My gas mileage has gone down from 43mpg. To 30mpg. I have 135,000 miles on the car now and I'm adding 1qt. Of oil every 300 miles. When I started from work yesterday, the car shut down 3 times with plenty of oil on the dipstick. Power is down to the point that the accelerometer is pegged out all the time now. I bought a Honda because I need a dependable car that gets good gas mileage and one that I can to the basic maintenance on. Someone please help!!.