Honda recalls Accord sedans because a software glitch can cause the vehicles to lose power

WASHINGTON — Honda is recalling more than 256,000 Accord Hybrid sedans in the U.S. after discovering a software defect that can cause the vehicles to lose power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall, announced Nov. 13, covers certain 2023–2025 Accord Hybrid models. According to federal safety regulators, 256,603 vehicles are potentially affected, though Honda estimates that only about 0.3% contain the defect.

The issue stems from improper programming in the car’s Integrated Control Module, or ICM. Honda said the module’s central processing unit can unexpectedly reset while the vehicle is in motion. If that occurs, the car may lose drive power without warning.

In documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the automaker said the supplier developing the ICM’s abnormality-monitoring software “did not fully understand the component specifications,” leading to a system that misidentified normal internal communication errors as CPU failures.

Additional electrical load from newly added functions contributed to electrical noise, triggering false detections and unintended resets.

Honda began investigating the problem in March 2024 after receiving initial reports of the issue happening on the road, according to documents. As of Nov. 6, the company said it has logged 832 warranty claims but has not received any reports of crashes, injuries or deaths linked to the defect.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail early next year. Dealers will update the ICM software at no cost to drivers.

Honda said all registered owners will be instructed to bring their cars to an authorized dealer once notification letters are issued.

This is the second major recall from Honda in November. Earlier in the month, the car manufacturer recalled hundreds of thousands of Civics because the wheels may come off while the car is on the road. 

That recall includes Honda Civics for model years 2016-2021, according to a Nov. 6 notice posted by the NHTSA. 

While 406,290 vehicles were being 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.