Honda Recalls 256,000 Accord Hybrids Over Sudden Loss of Power

Honda has issued a significant safety recall affecting approximately 256,603 Accord Hybrid vehicles from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years. The issue is straightforward and alarming: a software defect in the integrated control module can cause the vehicle's CPU to reset while driving, resulting in a complete loss of drive power with no warning.

Filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on January 14, 2026, under NHTSA Campaign Number 25V-785, this recall addresses a problem that strikes at the core of hybrid vehicle reliability. When the ICM resets mid-drive, the electric motor and gasoline engine coordination fails simultaneously. The car doesn't slow down gradually. It loses all propulsive force.

For the hundreds of thousands of Honda Accord Hybrid owners in California—where the Accord remains one of the top-selling sedans and hybrid adoption leads the nation—this recall demands immediate attention. The Bay Area and North Coast region, including Sonoma County, has an especially high concentration of affected vehicles.

What Happened

The Honda Accord Hybrid uses an integrated control module—the ICM—to manage the complex interplay between its electric motor, gasoline engine, and battery system. Think of it as the brain that decides when to use electric power, when to switch to gas, and how to blend both for optimal efficiency. Every fraction of a second, the ICM processes data from dozens of sensors and makes real-time decisions about power delivery.

Honda identified a software error within the ICM that can cause its CPU to unexpectedly reset during normal driving. When the CPU resets, the module temporarily loses its ability to coordinate the hybrid powertrain. The electric motor stops providing torque. The engine cannot compensate. The result is an instantaneous and complete loss of drive power.

Unlike a mechanical failure that might produce grinding noises or gradual power loss, a software-triggered CPU reset happens without physical precursors. One moment you're driving normally; the next, the vehicle has no drive force. On a highway, in traffic, or at an intersection, the consequences can be severe.

2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid models are affected by this recall.

Affected Vehicles

The recall covers all Honda Accord Hybrid models manufactured for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years. In total, approximately 256,603 vehicles are affected across the United States.

This is the hybrid variant specifically—the standard gasoline-only Accord is not included in this recall. However, given that hybrid sales have surged in recent years, particularly in California where emissions regulations and fuel economy concerns drive purchasing decisions, the affected population is substantial.

You can verify whether your specific vehicle is affected by entering your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Honda will also be sending notification letters to registered owners of affected vehicles.

Warning Signs

This is where the recall becomes particularly concerning. Because the failure is software-driven, there are often no traditional warning signs preceding it. The ICM reset can occur without any prior symptoms, dashboard warnings, or diagnostic trouble codes. You may experience no indication whatsoever before the power cuts out.

That said, some owners have reported intermittent symptoms that may be related: momentary hesitation during acceleration, brief power fluctuations while cruising, a flicker or brief reset of the instrument cluster display, or an unexpected transition between electric and gasoline power that feels rougher than normal.

Any unusual behavior in power delivery, instrument cluster glitches, or hybrid system warning lights should be taken seriously. If your Honda Accord Hybrid displays a check engine light, hybrid system warning, or IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) light, get a professional diagnostic scan promptly to rule out ICM-related issues.

It is important to understand that the absence of symptoms does not mean your vehicle is safe. The software defect exists in the code itself, and the reset condition can be triggered unpredictably. This is precisely why the recall applies to all affected VINs regardless of reported symptoms.

A professional diagnostic scan can identify ICM-related fault codes and hybrid system irregularities before catastrophic failure.

The Fix

Honda's remedy is an ICM software update that corrects the error causing the CPU reset condition. The update will be performed at authorized Honda dealerships at no cost to the vehicle owner. This is a federally mandated safety recall, so Honda is legally obligated to provide the repair free of charge.

A software update is a relatively straightforward repair compared to the mechanical fixes required by some recalls. A dealership technician connects to the vehicle's diagnostic port and flashes the updated software to the ICM. The process typically takes one to two hours, though wait times for appointments may vary depending on dealer capacity and the volume of affected vehicles in your area.

While the fix itself is simple, the stakes are high. Until the update is applied, the vehicle carries the risk of sudden power loss at any speed, in any driving condition. Do not delay scheduling the repair.

What Sonoma County Honda Owners Should Do Now

Check your VIN immediately. Visit nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your 17-digit VIN to confirm whether your Accord Hybrid is included. You can also check through Honda's owner portal or call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Schedule the software update with your Honda dealer. Contact your nearest authorized Honda dealership to schedule the ICM software update. Sonoma County owners should call early, as dealer service departments in the North Bay will see high demand given the concentration of Accord Hybrids in the region.

Drive with extra caution until the fix is applied. While you wait for your appointment, be aware of the risk. Maintain greater following distances than usual. Stay alert in heavy traffic and on highways. If you experience a sudden loss of power while driving, remain calm: turn on your hazard lights, steer to the nearest safe shoulder or pull-off area, and call for roadside assistance. Do not attempt to restart the vehicle in traffic.

Get a comprehensive hybrid system inspection. Even after the software update, it is wise to have your Honda Accord Hybrid's overall health assessed. A reset condition may have stressed other components. Our Honda repair specialists can inspect your vehicle's hybrid battery system, transmission, engine management, and electrical components to ensure everything is functioning correctly after the recall repair.

Questions

Is the Honda Accord Hybrid recall mandatory? This is a federal safety recall issued through NHTSA. Honda is required to repair affected vehicles at no cost. While you are not legally compelled to get the fix, the risk of complete power loss while driving makes this a recall you should not ignore.

Can I still drive my Accord Hybrid while waiting for the recall repair? Yes, but with heightened awareness. The power loss can occur without warning at any speed. Be prepared to safely pull over if it happens. Avoid situations where a sudden power loss would be most dangerous—heavy highway traffic, mountain passes, and left turns across oncoming traffic are higher-risk scenarios.

Does this recall affect the standard (non-hybrid) Honda Accord? No. This recall is specific to the Accord Hybrid variant and its integrated control module. The conventional gasoline Accord uses a different powertrain architecture and is not affected.

How long does the software update take? The actual software flash typically takes one to two hours. However, appointment availability and dealer workload may affect total turnaround time. Call your dealer to schedule and ask about expected wait times.

Are other Honda hybrid models affected? This specific recall (25V-785) covers only the 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid. However, Honda owners should always check their VIN for any open recalls, as other models may have separate campaigns. Visit nhtsa.gov/recalls for a comprehensive VIN lookup.

What if the problem happens again after the software update? If you experience power loss or related symptoms after the recall repair, document the incident thoroughly: note the date, time, driving conditions, speed, and any warning lights. Return to the dealer and also file a complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Persistent issues after a recall fix may support additional warranty claims or, in some cases, lemon law protections.