If the fault occurs, the car’s internal software may restart and lose motive power while you are on the road.
WASHINGTON – Honda is recalling more than 256,000 Accord Hybrid sedans in the U.S. after discovering a software flaw that could cause the vehicles to lose power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall, announced on November 13, affects certain 2023-2025 Accord Hybrid models. According to federal safety authorities, 256,603 vehicles may be affected, although Honda estimates only about 0.3% have the defect.
The problem stems from incorrect programming in the car’s Integrated Control Module, or ICM. Honda said the module’s central processing unit can reset unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. If that happens, the car may lose propulsion power without warning.
In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the automaker said the supplier that developed the ICM’s deviation monitoring software “did not fully understand the component specifications,” leading to a system that incorrectly identified normal internal communications errors as CPU malfunctions.
Additional electrical load from newly added features contributed to electrical noise, leading to false detections and accidental resets.
Honda began investigating the issue in March 2024 after receiving initial reports of the problem occurring on the road, according to documents. As of Nov. 6, the company said it had registered 832 warranty claims but had received no reports of crashes, injuries or deaths related to the defect.
Owners of affected vehicles will be informed by post early next year. Dealers will update the ICM software free of charge for drivers.
Honda said all registered owners will be instructed to take their cars to an authorized dealer once notification letters are issued.
This is Honda’s second major recall in November. Earlier this month, the automaker recalled hundreds of thousands of Civics because the wheels could come off while the car was in transit.
That recall also applies to Honda Civics for model years 2016-2021, according to a Nov. 6 notice posted by the NHTSA.
While 406,290 vehicles were recalled, the automaker said only 3,276 of the 18-inch aluminum alloy accessory wheels were sold in the U.S. and may have been improperly manufactured.
