Honda has announced a major vehicle recall, affecting about 256,000 Accord Hybrid cars in the United States. The company says a software problem could cause the vehicle to suddenly lose power while driving, which increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The recall involves certain Accord Hybrid models from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years. According to a statement from Honda, the problem is connected to the car’s central processing unit, or CPU, which is part of the vehicle’s Integrated Control Module, also known as the ICM.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explained in its official report that the software error can cause the CPU to reset unexpectedly while the car is in motion. This reset can shut down key systems, including engine power, which may lead to the vehicle losing drive power suddenly.
RECALL ALERT: Honda is recalling more than 256,600 of its Accord Hybrid vehicles across the U.S., due to a software error that may result in sudden loss of drive power. https://t.co/BzfzGex0iZ
— ABC News (@ABC) November 18, 2025
NHTSA stated the root of the issue came from a supplier’s improper software programming. The supplier allegedly misunderstood how the ICM should work and designed software that misread minor communication hiccups as major CPU failures. As a result, the system triggered unnecessary resets, sometimes while the car was being driven.
On top of that, the report said new features added to the system increased the amount of electricity flowing through the unit. This created what engineers call “electrical noise,” which made the communication problems worse and caused even more false alarms.
So far, there have been 832 warranty claims connected to this defect, according to Honda. These claims were filed between December 2022 and October 2025. However, no injuries or deaths have been reported as of November 6, according to NHTSA.
BREAKING REPORT: Honda issues MASSIVE RECALL on Accord Hybrids due to software error that may lead to loss of drive power at any time.
Federal safety regulators say the recall applies to select Accord Hybrid cars from model years 2023 through 2025.
256,000 Accord Hybrid models… pic.twitter.com/zk32bRyuMR
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) November 19, 2025
To fix the issue, Honda dealerships will reprogram the software free of charge. Honda said they are taking the recall seriously and will be contacting vehicle owners to make them aware of the situation.
Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out beginning January 5, 2026. In the meantime, Honda owners who think they may be affected can call Honda’s customer service line at 1-888-234-2138.
In addition, drivers can look up their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on NHTSA’s website at www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. Honda’s internal recall number for this issue is TN2. Affected VINs are expected to become searchable on the site starting November 18, 2025.
This recall adds to a growing list of software-related issues seen in the auto industry over the past few years, especially as vehicles become more advanced and heavily reliant on electronics. While this particular problem is tied to hybrids, it serves as a reminder of how complex car technology has become — and how one small programming error can create big problems.
For now, owners of 2023–2025 Accord Hybrids are encouraged to take action as soon as they receive notification. Getting the software updated at a dealership should help prevent further problems on the road.
