Noncompliance Recall: 2018-2020 Honda Accord & 2019-2020 Insight BCM Software Update

December 10, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V771000

BCM Software Malfunction/FMVSS 103/111

Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V771

Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER, BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 737,233

Summary

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems” and number 111, “Rear Visibility” as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is X95.

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.

Check if your Honda has a Recall

Service Bulletin

A20-039
December 11, 2020
Version 1

Noncompliance Recall: 2018-20 Accord and 2019-20 Insight BCM Software Update

AFFECTED VEHICLES

BACKGROUND

There is a setting mismatch between the body control module (BCM) microcomputer and the CAN controller settings. This causes the BCM to lose B-CAN communication, resulting in the following symptoms:

• The ACC and LKAS indicators flashing.
• Turn signal/hazard lights do not work.
• Rear view camera and door/trunk locks do not work at all.

These symptoms can occur intermittently, and can also set DTCs U128D, U1291, U1281, and/or U1280.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this campaign.

Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.

Failure to repair a vehicle subject to a recall or campaign may subject your dealership to claims or lawsuits from the customer or anyone else harmed as a result of such failure. To see if a vehicle in inventory is affected by this safety recall, do a VIN status inquiry before selling it.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Update the BCM unit software.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

2018-20 Accord

2018-20 Accord Hybrid

2019-20 Insight

Skill Level: Repair Technician

SOFTWARE INFORMATION

NOTE

Unnecessary or incorrect repairs resulting from a failure to update the diagnostic and reprogramming software are not covered under warranty.

Before beginning the repair, make sure all diagnostic and reprogramming software are updated as listed.

Update only the systems and software listed in this service bulletin.

American Honda has validated and approved the Denso DST-i as the vehicle communication interface (VCI) to support this service bulletin.

For more information about updating vehicle systems, refer to service bulletin 01-023, Updating Control Units/Modules.

REPAIR PROCEDURE

NOTICE

• Make sure the 12-volt battery is fully charged before starting an update.
• This update can take up to 20 minutes to complete
• Connect a fully charged jumper battery to the vehicle, and leave it connected during the entire procedure to maintain steady voltage.
• The GR8 can be used for this update only if the 12-volt battery has been fully charged and the GR8 is in power supply mode during the update.
• Control module failure caused by the improper completion of a software update (early key cycle, low battery voltage, disconnected DLC cable, etc.) is not covered by warranty.
• If an error occurs during the update or the i-HDS freezes, do not disconnect the battery or turn the ignition to OFF. If you cannot turn the ignition back to ON because the ignition was turned to OFF, or communication was lost during the update, the immobilizer setup tool (IST) must be used to recover the vehicle. Go to Recovery Procedure When Ignition Will Not Turn ON in this bulletin.
• To prevent control unit damage, do not operate anything electrical (headlights, audio system, brakes, A/C, power windows, door locks, etc.) during the update.
• Warranty reimbursement for technician labor is not allowed for routine checking/installation of any available software update.

NOTE

This update will not require entering a service bulletin number.

1. Update the BCM software using the J2534 Rewrite software with the DST-i. Refer to service bulletin 01-023, Updating Control Units/Modules.

Recovery Procedure When Ignition Will Not Turn ON

If the ignition was turned to OFF, or the communication was lost during the update, use the immobilizer setup tool (IST) to recover the vehicle. Follow the procedure below:

1. Select Immobilizer Setup Tool from the i-HDS Home menu.

2. Select Start.

3. Select No.

4. Select Yes.

5. Enter the VIN. Then, select OK at the bottom of the screen.

6. Enter your iN credentials for authentication and select OK, or select PCM-Code if you wish to enter one.

7. Select OK after the authentication is complete.

8. Follow the instructions for Forcing the IG ON with the Immobilizer Setup Tool.

9. Select OK to continue.

10. This error message will be displayed. Exit the Immobilizer Setup Tool and re-attempt the J2534 update.

11. Clear all DTCs.

END

December 10, 2020

Mr. Jeffrey Giuseppe
Associate Administrator for Enforcement
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Attn: Recall Management Division (NVS-215)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590

Re:

Part 573, Noncompliance Information Report
2018-2020 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and Insight
Body Control Module

Dear Mr. Giuseppe:

In accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and 49 CFR Part 573 Defect and Noncompliance and Responsibility Reports, Honda is submitting the enclosed Noncompliance Information Report regarding a safety recall of certain 2018-2020 model year Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and Insight vehicles to address a noncompliance with the body control module.

If you have any questions about this report, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Jeff Chang
Senior Manager
Product Regulatory Office

JC:wt

Noncompliance Information Report

573.6(c)(1)

Name of manufacturer:

Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC

Manufacturer’s agent:

Jeff Chang
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

573.6(c)(2)

Identification of potentially affected vehicles:

Description of the basis for the determination of the recall population:

The recall population was determined based on manufacturing records. The manufacturing range reflects all possible vehicles that could potentially experience the problem.

Description of how the vehicles being recalled differ from similar vehicles not included in the recall:

All vehicles built from production start-up through March 20, 2020 are affected. As a process improvement effort, the Body Control Module (BCM) software programming was improved to prevent communication disruptions beginning in April 2020 (production of similar vehicles in between this period were halted due to the pandemic).

Identification of affected component:

Component: Module Unit, Body Control

Part No.:

Country of Origin: USA

Manufacturer: Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc.

573.6(c)(3)

Total number of potentially affected vehicles: 737,233

573.6(c)(4)

Percentage of affected vehicles that contain the noncompliance:         100%

573.6(c)(5)

Noncompliance description:

Due to inappropriate software programming, a certain combination of driver actions and vehicle conditions may intermittently or continuously disrupt communication between the BCM and other components, resulting in illumination of several warning indicators and malfunction of one or more electronic components. Inoperative systems may not comply with the following Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), increasing the risk of a crash:

• FMVSS 103 Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems – window defroster
• FMVSS 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems – windshield wiper
• FMVSS 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment – headlight automatic lighting control and illumination of turning/lighting indicators
• FMVSS 111 Rear Visibility – rearview camera display
• FMVSS 114 Theft Protection and 305 Electric-powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection – audible warning of a stopped vehicle and placing the vehicle into the parking gear
• FMVSS 118 Power-operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems – power window operation

573.6(c)(7)

Determination of noncompliance:

September to December 2019

Honda launched an investigation into the BCM based on reports of market failure. Failed parts returned from the field were sent to the supplier for analysis; however, no abnormalities were found.

January to February 2020

Investigations confirmed that CAN (controller area network) bus communications between certain vehicle systems were being disrupted.

March 2020

Separately, similar reports of disrupted vehicle system communications were being investigated in the Japanese market. This investigation concluded that no market action was necessary in Japan, and the experienced phenomena was not the root cause of the issue being investigated in the U.S. market.

April 2020

Improved BCM software programming to countermeasure the problems identified in the Japanese market was implemented throughout Honda production as a process improvement effort.

June to November 2020

Honda conducted re-creation testing, root cause analysis, and investigated the potential consequences of communication disruptions between vehicle systems, including the potential for FMVSS noncompliances.

December 3, 2020

Honda determined that FMVSS noncompliances existed and decided to conduct a noncompliance recall.

573.6(c)(8)(i)

Program for remedying the noncompliance:

Registered owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer. The dealer will update the BCM software program for free. Owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense will be eligible for reimbursement, in accord with the recall reimbursement plan on file with NHTSA.

573.6(c)(8)(ii)

The estimated date to start notification to dealers:          December 11, 2020 The estimated date to start notifications to owners:   January 18, 2021 573.6(c)(10)

Representative copies of all notices, bulletins and other communications:

A copy of the dealer service bulletin, the final owner notification letter, and other dealer communication will be submitted to your office as soon as possible.

A draft of the owner notification letter will be submitted to your office as soon as possible.

573.6(c)(11)

Manufacturer’s campaign number: X95

8 Affected Products

Vehicles

4 Associated Documents

Miscellaneous Document – Part 573, Noncompliance Information Report

RMISC-20V771-5446.pdf 366.118KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V771-7126.pdf 767.539KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V771-5990.pdf 331.887KB

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Noncompliance Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V771-8488.PDF 223.304KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V771&docType=RCL

For the most up to date documents from NHTSA for this Recall, click the lick above

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