Engine Burning Oil Problems of Honda Insight

Honda Insight owners have reported 33 problems related to engine burning oil (under the engine and engine cooling category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Honda Insight based on all problems reported for the Insight.

1 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 04/15/2021

Tthis car has safety problems burns oil like crazy , my daughter was driving down 81 when the dash lights came on the car was shaking so she pulled over and called the police who impounded the car 300 to get it out then we had it towed over 100miles . Honda dealer says the spark plug failed and went into the engine . Getting prices on a new engine .

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2 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 10/18/2019

This car is the absolute worst car I have ever owned. The oil consumption is outrageous and the car only has 89k miles on it. It also burns through spark plugs like crazy, I've probably put close to 500 dollars into it at least just in oil and spark plugs this year alone. In the two years I have owned it, it has left me stranded in strange neighborhoods, parking lots, at my job, and at my home because of it throwing the spark plugs with no warning. Upon changing the plugs, all cylinders, especially four, are filled with oil. Most recently, I changed the spark plugs in my work parking lot, and refilled the oil. A week later, I found myself repeating the same process because it killed the plugs again. I have been driving down the road and suddenly lost acceleration, in traffic, and had my dash light up like a christmas tree. To the best of my knowledge, the 2012 and 2013 engine contains experimental piston rings, which are clearly faulty. Not just by my own account, but by countless others as well. I do not have five grand to replace the engine or have it rebuilt, and I should not have to. Honda needs to be held responsible for their mistake and should be forced to recall these engines. The consumers who purchased these vehicles should not be forced to pay for something that is out of their control. These cars are ticking time bombs, I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy. I will be filing complaints with Honda itself as well as the bbb in addition to this one. Please do something about this, I saw how many other complaints you have received in regards to this issue. It's time to do something about this instead of ignoring it and letting Honda get away with it. If it died on the freeway, which it almost has, it would become a serious threat to my safety and those around me.

3 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 06/17/2019

I have a 2012 Honda Insight with 80000 miles and am having excessive oil consumption at 1 quart of oil per 2000 miles of driving per the dealership. Honda says this is acceptable and only a problem at 1 quart per 1000 miles driven. I have read the concerns and the vehicle has poorly seated rings due to a design defect admitted by Honda. My concern is this is resulting in loss of compression and resulting total loss of power leaving people with vehicles rolling down the road and then the engine drops out totally. This is a safety issue, environmental issue and of course customer theft issue.

4 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 04/30/2019

My Honda Insight 2012 is burning oil. After an oil change I drive around 800 miles I'm 1/2 quart low on oil. This is not normal at all.

5 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 12/23/2018

I have a 2012 Honda Insight. On 12/23/18 I was driving on the highway and the power cut out. This is the 3rd incident in a one year and half where the spark plugs have blown cutting the power to the car. Mechanic told me it would be $1700. I couldn't get it fixed I was getting on a plane 3 days later for three weeks. Evidentally it has to something with the excess burning of oil getting to the spark plugs. I've found where others have this problem also. Its quite expensive to fix. This has to be a manufacturer problem. Now I'm without a car again. At this time I am walking with a walker and no car. This keeps happening! what is going on.

6 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 12/03/2018

My Honda Insight 2012 is burning oil. After an oil change I drive around 3500 mile and the red engine oil warning light comes on. First time it happened I took the car ,like 3-4 years ago, to the dealer. They replaced the piston rings under warranty but it did not solve the problem. I am dealing with this problem for the last around 3-4 years. It always happens after around 3500 mile, I get the red light. I take it to dealer and dealer starts oil consumption test and tells me nothing is wrong. They did oil consumption test 4 or 5 times already. One time they told me that they had to add 3. 5 quart oil and the engine block needs to be replaced since piston rings are already replaced. I was inexperienced to not get a written document stating they added 3. 5 quart oil. Then they told me that they will contact Honda about it. A few days later they called me and said Honda thinks it is normal. Recently due to job change I drive very little that is why it takes time for me to regenerate the problem but I know it happens. It happened like 5 times so far. The extended warranty will end in 2020. I have like a year to demonstrate it. Some people had power loss issues on freeway. I did not have that so far because I do not take long freeway rides when I reach to 2k mile after last oil change. We use my wife's car if I have to take freeway.

7 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 11/05/2018

Oil consumption and shaking.

8 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 11/01/2018

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled with entire dashboard warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the spark plus was replaced and more oil was put inside the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was burning excessive oil and oil was needed inside the vehicle every 1000 miles. The vehicle was taken to altoona Honda 201 valley view blvd, altoona, PA 16602 (814) 944-4517 where an oil consumption test was being done. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,276. Dr.

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9 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 08/11/2018

My daughter's Honda Insight experienced the excessive oil consumption issue. Her vehicle later had severe engine problems and stalled at 6:00 am on I-64. A Honda dealership diagnosed the problem as damage to cylinder, piston, cylinder head and valves of cylinder number 3. All other cylinders were within normal operating conditions. My complaint is that the notice sent to consumers omitted that the excessive oil consumption could lead to engine failure and an accident. Consumers with little or no mechanical knowledge who purchased this vehicle used, may not be aware of the problem and will not be aware of the risk and severity of the problem. Those who notice excessive oil consumption may assume that it is from age and not a design defect that could place their life in danger. The service bulletin sent by Honda to its dealerships is almost identical to that provided the consumer with one exception. The service bulletin included additional information describing the potential damage to the engine from the manufacture's defect. When the natural consequences of this manufacture's defect occur it the engine immediately loses power and will not run. In my daughter's case it was early in the morning with little traffic. However, she was on I-64 about to merge onto I-95. Had the engine failed at a later time in the day she would have lost power in traffic on a major highway. Vehicles behind her would have no reason to expect a sudden loss of acceleration. The potential for rear-end collisions and/or crashes while the operator of this model Honda is attempting to exit the highway with no power is very high.

10 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 09/22/2017

Excessive oil consumption - warning lights do not come on to tell you there is an issue with low oil. Only notice at time of oil changes that levels seemed low. And not oil is basically needing to be checked and monitored like gas. And then sudden emission light at only 60,000 miles on the car and I am told all they will do is fix something once it breaks. Why wont Honda just replace engine pieces without continued impact on my time. This oil test is going to cost me an additional 2 hours out of my days coming up for every 1000 miles, 3x!.

11 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 08/24/2017

On interstate, chug chug, stop; life in danger, stuck one hour, waiting for aaa; towed, Honda dealer, oil consumption blows out spark plugs; Honda issues extended warranty; an oil test is done; life is in danger for several months driving 1,000 miles at a time; vehicle could come to complete stop at any moment. This should be a recall, a lawsuit; nothing the driver can do; owner pays for the first repair; why? it is Honda's defect. Death before repair an actual concern.

12 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 06/12/2017

2013 Honda Insight. Consumer writes in regards to excessive oil consumption. Consumer sent additional correspondence. Consumer sent additional correspondence. The consumer stated the vehicle would shake and hesitate while driving. The consumer stated the engine died twice almost causing a crash. The consumer was informed the vehicle was operating as designed.

13 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 05/22/2017

The spark plugs failed during driving on the highway resulting in a dangerous situation. I later learned that the spark plugs failed because 2 of the cylinders were burning excessive oil. Honda has recalled this car due to excessive oil consumption but has refused to reimbursement me after I had the car repaired.

14 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 01/30/2017

The vehicle has on-going "oil consumption" issues that american Honda neglected to address. As a result, the oil goes up exhaust pipes to caused engine over heat and blow up during driving on highway. American Honda issued an "internal memo" to extend engine warranty to 8 years without notifying car owners. However, they failed to cover our blew-up engine when the first time happened and charged us $4600 for an used engine. Within 8 months, the second engine blew up again on the highway. American Honda finally covered the second engine repair. The american Honda rejected to reimburse the first engine blow-up. They denied anything wrong with the engine, but the extended the warranty to 8 years??? we have the records for both engine blow-ups.

15 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 01/25/2017

We purchased a new 2013 Honda Insight. The car had excessive oil consumption from the very beginning. It required one quart of oil to be added every 2-3 weeks. We repeatedly voiced our concerns in at least 5 occasions. Each time we were told by the the dealership that the oil consumption �was normal�. Our complaints were ignored, our concerns dismissed. On January 25, 2017, while my husband was driving on highway I-78, the engine suddenly started losing power and completely stalled. Luckily, there were no other vehicles behind. The car was towed to the dealer, it was discovered there that a cylinder exhaust valve had broken off, causing severe and irreparable damage to pistons and the cylinder head. The engine was rendered useless. American Honda rejected to cover any of the expenses. We were told to purchase a used engine, which cost us $4,689. 51 out of our pocket in engine, parts and labor. After the repairs, the car continued having excessive oil consumption. On August 24, 2017, the 2nd engine also blew up, coincidentally while driving on highway I-78. This time, we were informed that there was an internal memo from american Honda, extending engine warranty to 8 years for Insight models 2012 and 2013. American Honda keeps this warranty extension quietly. It might appear that they are just waiting for accidents and/or complaints to happen, and only then offer the warranty extension. I believe this is a big safety and warranty issue. I fear for my husband's and other consumers� safety. American Honda rejected honoring the warranty coverage, not to reimburse us for the $4,689. 51 we paid for the first time engine replacement. This request of ours was rejected for without substantive arguments. While american Honda failed to address this issue, engines for this model started failing at about the 100k mile mark, something that has happened to many Insight car owners.

16 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 01/16/2017

Oil consumption was way off and all 8 of the spark plugs have been changed twice in a year. Car has only 80,000 miles on it and now they want to do a complete tear down of the engine at my expense. I should not be paying for these repairs Honda should be liable. I was driving the vehicle in the highway and with no warning it suddenly stopped and went to limp mode . Very dangerous. Serious accidents can and will happen its only a matter of time. The problem: oem piston rings that came original to the car go bad around 60,000 miles. And Honda is aware of the issue!!!!!********.

17 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 12/22/2016

2013 Honda Insight. Consumer writes in regards to unintended acceleration and temporary brake failure. Consumer sent additional correspondence. Sent again on 12/22/16, 1/11/17. The consumer stated the engine oil dip stick showed a drop of oil below the lowest of the two holes. The consumer added oil. However, seven days later, the oil was low again. The consumer stated the vehicle is excessively burning oil.

18 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 12/01/2016

I have life time oil changes, I had the oil changed on 10/27/16, I advised, for the second time that it was using quite a bit of oil (it was low again). They said it was normal for the car. On December 1, I was on the freeway and my car stalled. I was able to pull off of the freeway and had to wait for a tow truck as my car would not start. We had the car towed to the dealership, and when they estimated the repairs, it was $8200. 00 to fix. The car is not even worth $7500. 00. They told me that the valve tightened, which was rare at this mileage, causing the spark plugs to melt, burn the exhaust valve, and a burnt cylinder hole. I was informed by the dealership that valve jobs don't occur until 100,000 miles in these vehicles. They also said that the oil should have been changed more often due to the oil consumption. I was already adding oil in between oil changes. Due to the cost of the repairs, I am in search of a replacement motor to install instead of having the dealership rebuild it.

19 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 11/29/2016

My car had been sitting for 2 and a half weeks while I was out of the country. Upon starting the car, check brake system, check vsa system, check hill start assist system, service due soon and check emission lights illuminated on my dashboard. When I began to accelerate, the car only got up to 5 miles per hour. It was a 7 minute drive from airport parking to my residence. I parked the car and it sat over the thanksgiving weekend. The following week I had the car towed to the mcdavid Honda in irving, TX. I gave detailed history from the time of purchase a year and half ago. I advised the dealership, I was full aware of the excessive oil burning in issue that had been previous diagnosed at the original Honda dealership I purchased the car from. I kept up with excessive oil changes that needed to be done. The service tech said it had zero oil and the piston rings would need to be changed. He and his manager stated that they would complete an oil change at my expense, I would need to drive the car a thousand miles and then immediately return the car to the dealership, if the problem occurred then the dealership would cover the cost. I advised them again I had already done that type of testing previously. But, then, service tech proceeds to explain I also need all 8 spark plugs changed at my expense. Honda is fully aware of the excessive oil comsumption issue with the Insights. This is a 2013, 57,000 miles, up to date service record. I do not feel safe driving this car anymore. The uncertainty is overwhelming.

20 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 11/01/2016

My Honda is burning oil from the ingine. No leaks. I can get a oil change today and in 5 days I need more oil. I've taken it to the dealership and see online 64 complaints of this code 1982a. Now the dealer wants me to pay almost 4,000 dollars to get it fix when they know they sold me a lemon. Honda dealer said I need pistons,rings and spark plugs. Today they gave me a loaner car but says I have to pay 485 to break down my engine and possibly 485 to pit it back together after the test.

21 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 10/29/2016

Car has 95,000 miles. High oil consumption. All 8 spark plugs have to be changed every 3-4000 miles. Very expensive. The problem is the spark plugs get fouled, and burnt up, so there is no electrode left. When that happens the car immediately slows down to 5 mph. I almost got killed and run over by a tractor trailer last sat. 10/29/16 on interstate 81 south by new milford, PA. He was right on my back. I could only see his grill. The car will stay in that mode, "limp mode" until repaired. This has happened 3 times to me in the past 2 years. Now cylinder 4 is blown. This is a fairly newer car and Honda refuses to repair it for free or issue a recall. Many other Honda owners of this car have the same problem. I am forced to sell it for a fraction of its cost. Help.

22 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 10/01/2016

Excessive oil consumption. I am adding 1 quart every 1000 miles since I got the car at 65000 miles.

23 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 10/01/2016

Excessive oil consumption at 70000. Adding more than a quart of oil every 1000 miles.

24 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 06/04/2016

Excessive oil consumption - Honda Insight 2012. Engine light came on while driving, took car to the dealer and dealer found no oil (although car stated it was at 50%). Dealer added oil, suggested I return after 1,000 miles. Brought back car after 1,500 miles and dealer said that per Honda, car must have been brought back after 1,000 miles. No noticeable oil loss. At next oil change, dealer found oil to be very low. Brought back car after an additional 1,000 miles and Honda performed oil consumption test. Test came back negative. Latest oil change, now indicator states at 60% oil and engine light appeared while driving on June 4th. Dealer found no oil. Dealer is now performing a overhaul on my engine. Dealer will have my car for at least one week or maybe two as I was told that there are two other cars with the same problem ahead of me. Dealer offered car rental.

25 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 05/03/2016

Within the warranty period I noticed that car is consuming unusual quantity of oil (around 58,000 miles). A warning light came on ¿check emission system¿. I pulled the dipstick and there was barely any oil on the tip. I put 2 quarts of oil into the engine and it still did not reach the top fill line. The car only holds 3. 5 quarts. The ¿low oil light¿ never came on, how much oil has to disappear before the oil light comes on? there are no oil leaks from the car. I notified the manufacturer and opened a case. They advised to go to dealer to have 4 ¿oil consumption tests¿ performed ¿ one every thousand miles. I completed all 4 test in around 3 months, the test verified that the car burns up to 1. 0 qts/1000 miles. I notified my rep (amber) at the manufacturer of the results of testing. I was informed that my ¿case was closed¿ ¿ manufacturer did not even bother to find out what the results were, they just ¿closed¿ my case. I requested amber re-open case and take down the results. Amber contacted the dealer to verify the consumption data I provided. She then stated ¿our engineers have determined that 1. 0 to 1. 5 qts consumed per 1000 miles is normal for this vehicle. ¿ I responded that this is ¿excessive¿ consumption that is not normal for any vehicle to consume this much oil, and that I purchased the car new and it has always been serviced at the dealer at the required service intervals. Amber refused to offer any solution or provide any financial assistance towards correcting what is in my opinion an engine defect. It appeared that she was basically reading off a prepared statement. I now have to add about a quart every 2 fill ups (around 960 miles). The oil costs around $10/ qt but I found that walmart sells a 5 quart jug that lowers the cost to $5/qt. I add oil so frequently that I likely never have to ¿change¿ the oil, although the filter does.

26 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 04/20/2016

Just hit 69,000 miles and car is suddenly burning over a quart of oil every 2 weeks.

27 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 03/01/2016

Excessive oil consumption. Car uses approx. 1. 2 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. Problems with acceleration and rough idle.

28 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 03/01/2016

Excessive oil consumption. Uses a minimum of 1 quart every 1,000 miles. Honda refuses to do anything with repairing it.

29 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 12/15/2015

While driving, the vehicle would lose a considerable amount of oil over decreasing amount of miles to the point where the car now loses 1. 5 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles (verified by local Honda dealer). This issue causes the spark plugs to foul out leading to cars that stall while driving. This happened to me once while driving in a city and the car had to be towed to the local Honda dealer where they replaced the bad spark plugs and the car was back on it's way, but the car is still burning the oil and it is only a matter of time before this situation happens again. This incident started in December, 2015 and persists to this day.

30 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 11/12/2015

At about 24500 miles, I drove for 1500miles rig1500milesoil service at dealer, the engine light came on. I contact them and they towed the vehicle to the dealer/service. They filled the engine and told me to drive 1000 miles and came back for them to test oil consumption. I did it for 2 times consecutive and they say it was within normal level. I ask them to test again. They agree. Now, after drive 1500 miles I went back and there was no oil in the engine. A fraction below the lower level. Now, they will submit a repair request to Honda of USA, but, my vehicle is up to 27500 miles. Tecnicaly not covered by warranty. But sense I notice and they documented the problem before 25000, it will be repaired under warranty. What will happen after another 5000 miles only god knows. Honda of USA should do a recall on engine rings and pistons or even replace it all.

31 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 08/18/2015

Excessively burn engine oil. Defective piston rings car was stalling on freeway with "check engine" "check brake" " "check hill start assistant" "check vsa" light flashing. I researched and found exact same symptons which was filed for 2012 Honda Insight. Refer to NHTSA id number: 10747250. He has described what I'm experiencing word by word. In 2013, Honda settled class-action law suit with same problem on different models, but 2013 Insight has same defects, excessive oil-burning, faulty piston rings, etc. I was lucky enough not having accident on freeway, but suddent stalling may cause crash, injury, and fatality. This is serious safety issue.

32 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2013 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 08/01/2015

Excessive oil consumption fixed by Honda after warranty expired and at no cost with free loaner car!!! there is a serious problem with the newer gen Honda engines! my personal opinion is bad piston rings!!! groves are created over time and thus oil is consumed into the block. I did the recommended oil consumption test at dealer and by the end I was losing 1 qt oil every 800 miles. New short block installed at around 79k miles. This is a manufacturing defect and Honda will, should make it right. To all the people going through this, be persistent!!!!.

33 Engine Burning Oil problem of the 2012 Honda Insight

Failure Date: 01/27/2013

Excessive oil consumption.


Other Common Engine And Engine Cooling related problems of Honda Insight


Safety Ratings of Insight Cars
Fuel Economy of Insight Vehicles
Insight Service Bulletins
Insight Safety Recalls