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Honda hybrids may lose power while driving

NHTSA campaign 20V798000 · Reported 2020-12-17 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious, since losing drive power on the road raises the chance of a crash; Honda does not tell owners to park the vehicle, but the free update should be done promptly.

What's wrong, in plain English

These Honda hybrids use a converter that keeps the regular 12-volt battery charged while you drive. On the recalled vehicles that converter can shut down, so the battery stops being recharged. When that happens, the car can lose the power that moves it, which could leave you stopped in traffic. The fix is a free software update to the power control unit, done at a Honda dealer. This recall began on February 12, 2021.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included. 2. Call a Honda dealer or Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 and reference recall K9E. 3. Bring the car in for the free software update.

Affected vehicles (4)

2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
2020 Honda Insight
2021 Honda Insight

Who to contact

Honda — official Honda recall lookup

Customer service: 1-888-234-2138

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Why do Honda electrical recalls keep causing power and lighting failures? · all 12 Honda recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
Safety risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.