Due to an issue in the sedan’s hybrid battery cell voltage sensor, the part can be affected by electrical noise from the hybrid battery inverter and motor circuits. When this happens, the vehicle enter a fail-safe EV mode, which shuts off the internal combustion engine and limits the speed to 40 miles per hour. According to Honda, the Accord hybrids have about two miles of driving range in this state, and afterwards they stall. As a fix, the automaker has a software update to keep the sensor from misinterpreting the electrical noise.
Report Receipt Date: SEP 25, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V602000
Component(s): HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,786
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
HONDA ACCORD HYBRID 2014-2015
Details
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
SUMMARY:
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 29, 2013, to May 30, 2015. Electrical interference may cause the hybrid system to switch into fail-safe mode, disabling the gasoline engine, limiting the vehicle’s speed to 40 miles per hour and functioning only on battery power. Once the battery is discharged, the vehicle will stall.
CONSEQUENCE:
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the hybrid system software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is JT7.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Statement by American Honda Regarding Cell Voltage Sensor Recall: 2014-2015 Accord Hybrid
Oct 5, 2015 – TORRANCE, Calif.
Honda will voluntarily recall 6,786 model-year 2014-2015 Accord Hybrid vehicles in the United States to update the hybrid system software related to the hybrid battery cell voltage sensor (CVS), free of charge. No injuries have been reported related to this issue, which was discovered through the warranty claim process.
The CVS may not have sufficient electrical noise toughness, which may result in the CVS incorrectly interpreting electrical noise from the hybrid battery inverter and motor circuits. If the CVS incorrectly interprets the electrical noise, it can cause the vehicle to switch to a fail-safe electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the vehicle uses the electric motor for propulsion, with braking and steering functionality operating on electric power only. If the vehicle switches to fail-safe EV mode while cruising at highway speed, the internal combustion engine will shut off with visual and audible warnings and the vehicle will experience a sudden loss of power, with the maximum speed limited to approximately 40 mph. Once in fail-safe EV mode, the vehicle may be able to travel for up to two miles at which time the hybrid battery will likely completely discharge. If the battery completely discharges while the vehicle is still in operation, the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The software update will prevent misinterpretation of the noted electrical noise.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage each owner of an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin in early November, 2015. Additionally, owners of these vehicles can determine if their vehicles require repair now by going to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138.
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