2010 Insight 500 Miles When New - Becoming a real problem, possible lemon!

[mrkcohen]

Billbass:

I bought my 2010 ex (no-nav) with 600 miles on it. After about 600 to 1000 miles additional on it I started having starting issues.

Britsoft:

We purchased a "new" 2010 Insight (I quote that because it was used by the dealership owner's wife for the first 500 miles)

Sounds to me like you both bought your cars after they sat around the lot for a while with people sitting in them with the door open, probably leaving map lights on, probably leaving the hatch open, etc.., and the already small 12V batteries took a bit of a beating.

Billbass:

I replaced the battery with a Kinetik HC800 agm battery. It was by no means the cheapest route to go but it has been a blessing.

Britsoft:

He replaced the battery, obviously. Though this will probably fix the existing problem for now

Sounds to me you guys bought your cars with weakened batteries and once they were replaced the problem was solved. If the dealers are to be faulted here it would be in not replacing the batteries in the "leftovers" before they were sold. Not good but not the end of the world either.

I bought my 2010 Insight in April 2009 with 4 miles on it before it sat around and got abused and have had absolutely no problem with the small 12V battery. I might add that the Insight is my "fun" car, my 2003 Civic Hybrid with 235,000 miles is the workhorse, and the Insight will sit sometimes 4-5 days without being started and I have never had a problem. I would also add that I live in the northeast and my 12V battery/starter has kicked in a few times over the last two winters and I have had no problems.

Just my 2 cents but it really seems to me like you guys are making mountains out of molehills here.

Not sweating the small stuff makes life a lot more enjoyable.

Just sayin....

[britsoft]

Well, we all appreciate your puttin in your two bits worth. Drop by any time... ya'll. But as long as it's my money that's involved, I'm guessin I'll be just a little more concerned. Tanks...

[Jayemtee]

No wonder the service reps don't want to talk to you. I'll bet they are glad that you live far away! LOL

[Cobb]

Be nice guys.

We are just users and owners of the cars. If this issue continues I would seek out your local state attorney general, the BBB, the bank who is helping you to pay for the car, another dealer and Honda.

As an owner and former mechanic, my recommendation is to cut your losses with the motor cycle battery the car comes with and upgrade to the "civic" group 51 battery.

You are right, you should not have to deal with this.