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

SEOCONTENT-START
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
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Phone (310) 783-2000
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).
Make/Model
Model Year
Dates of Manufacture
Number of Vehicles
Honda Accord Sedan
2018
11/17/2016 to 11/09/2018
323,142
Honda Accord Sedan
2019
10/26/2018 to 09/24/2019
214,075
Honda Accord Sedan
2020
02/20/2019 to 03/20/2020
101,817
Honda Accord Hybrid
2018
05/18/2017 to 11/07/2018
17,225
Honda Accord Hybrid
2019
11/01/2018 to 09/24/2019
22,389
Honda Accord Hybrid
2020
02/25/2019 to 03/20/2020
10,657
Honda Insight
2019
10/26/2017 to 06/20/2019
34,769
Honda Insight
2020
07/16/2019 to 03/20/2020
13,159
Identification of affected component:
Component: Module Unit, Body Control
Part No.:
Accord Sedan
38800-TVA-A01
38800-TVA-A41
38800-TVA-AA1
38800-TVA-A02
38800-TVA-A42
38800-TVA-AB1
38800-TVA-A11
38800-TVA-A51
38800-TVA-AC1
38800-TVA-A12
38800-TVA-A52
38800-TVA-AD1
38800-TVA-A21
38800-TVA-A61
38800-TVA-AE1
38800-TVA-A22
38800-TVA-A62
38800-TVA-AF1
38800-TVA-A31
38800-TVA-A91
38800-TVA-AG1
38800-TVA-A32
38800-TVA-A92
38800-TVA-AH1
Accord Hybrid
38800-TWA-A12
38800-TWA-A22
38800-TWA-AA1
38800-TWA-AB1
Insight
38800-TXM-A01
38800-TXM-A11
38800-TXM-AA1
38800-TXM-AB1
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
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NHTSA Recall Number: 20V-771
Honda Campaign Number: X95
Service Bulletin Number: 20-039
AUTOMOBILE DIVISION
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd., P.O. Box 2215
Torrance, CA 90509-9870
February 2021
Dear FIRSTNAME LASTNAME,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Honda has decided that certain 2018 – 2020 model year Accord Sedan, 2018 – 2020 model year Accord Hybrid, and 2019 – 2020 model year Insight vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems,” No. 104, “Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems,” No. 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment,” No. 111, “Rear Visibility,” No. 114, “Theft Protection,” No. 118, “Power-operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems,” and No. 305, “Electric-powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection.”
Why my vehicle is under recall: A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components, resulting in illumination of several warning indicators and malfunction of one or more electronic components. Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, the vehicle may not automatically engage Park under certain conditions. Please ensure that the parking brake is set before turning the ignition off and exiting the vehicle. If the parking brake is not set, this can increase the risk for the vehicle to roll away.
What Honda will do: Your Honda dealer will update the BCM software program for FREE. Honda estimates that the update will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. However, your dealer can provide you with a better estimate of the overall time for this service visit, as it may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time.
What we need you to do:
•Check recall information for your vehicle by accessing the Honda Recall Lookup toolat www.recalls.honda.com and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
•If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to:
ocall American Honda’s Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time; or
ocontact your local Honda automobile dealer; or
oemail or chat by going to www.owners.honda.com/help/customer-relations; or
ovisit Twitter @HondaCustSvc; or
ovisit www.recalls.honda.com to use “Ask Dave”, our 24/7 virtual agent.
If you paid out of pocket to have these specific recall repairs performed on your vehicle, you may be eligible for reimbursement; please contact American Honda’s Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 to determine potential eligibility and for instructions on how to request reimbursement.
If you no longer own this vehicle or if any of the information is not correct, please complete and return the enclosed prepaid Information Change Card as soon as possible. If you are a lessor of this vehicle, federal regulations require you to forward this notice to your lessee within ten days.
If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle, without charge and within a reasonable period of time (60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590. Alternatively, you may call the NHTSA toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this recall may cause, but please be assured that your safety is our first concern.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to your vehicle: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Please call any authorized Honda dealer and schedule an appointment to have your vehicle’s BCM software program updated for FREE.
If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers and passengers of this important information.
Número de campaña de seguridad NHTSA: 20V-771
Número de campaña de Honda: X95
Número de boletín de servicio: 20-039
DIVISIÓN AUTOMOTRIZ
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd., P.O. Box 2215
Torrance, CA 90509-9870
Febrero del 2021 Estimado FIRSTNAME LASTNAME, Esta notificación ha sido enviada a usted de acuerdo con el decreto de la oficina de Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration o NHTSA por sus siglas en inglés). Honda ha determinado que ciertos vehículos Accord Sedán año modelo 2018 – 2020, Accord Hybrid año modelo 2018 – 2020 e Insight año modelo 2019 – 2020 fallaron con el cumplimiento de la Norma Federal de Seguridad para Vehículos de Motor No.103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems” (Sistemas de desempañado y antihielo del parabrisas), No. 104, “Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems” (Sistemas de Lavado y Limpiado del parabrisas), No. 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment” (Luces, dispositivos reflectantes y equipos relacionados), No. 111, “Rear Visibility” (Visibilidad trasera), No. 114, “Theft Protection” (Protección contra robo), No. 118, “Power-operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems” (Sistemas del panel del techo y división, Ventana eléctrica) y No. 305, “Electric-powered Vehicles” (Vehículos impulsados eléctricamente): Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection” (Derrame de electrolito y Protección contra descarga eléctrica). ¿Por qué mi vehículo está bajo esta campaña de seguridad?:
¿Qué hará Honda?:Un error del programa puede ocasionar interrupciones continuas o intermitentes en la comunicación entre el módulo de control de la carrocería (BCM, por sus siglas en inglés) y otros componentes, ocasionando la iluminación de varios indicadores de advertencia y falla en uno o más componentes electrónicos. Varias fallas del sistema tales como limpiaparabrisas, desempañador, cámara para ver hacia atrás o luces exteriores estén inoperativos, lo cual puede aumentar el riesgo de una colisión. Además, el vehículo puede que no se acople automáticamente en Park bajo ciertas condiciones. Por favor asegúrese que el freno de estacionamiento está puesto antes de apagar el encendido y salir del vehículo. Si el freno de estacionamiento no está puesto, esto puede aumentar el riesgo de que el vehículo se desplace. Su concesionario Honda actualizará el programa del BCM de forma GRATUITA. Honda estima que la actualización tomará aproximadamente 30 minutos para completar. No obstante, su concesionario le puede ofrecer un mejor estimado del tiempo total de esta visita de servicio, ya que pudiera ser necesario que su vehículo esté disponible por un periodo más largo.
¿Qué necesitamos que usted haga?:
•Verifique la información de la campaña de seguridad de su vehículo ingresando en la herramientaHonda Recall Lookup en www.recalls.honda.com e ingresando su Número de identificación delvehículo (VIN).
•Si usted tiene preguntas o inquietudes, le recomendamos que:
ollame al Centro de Apoyo al Cliente y Campañas de American Honda al 1-888-234-2138 de lunes aviernes, 6:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m., hora del Pacífico; o
o comuníquese con su concesionario de automóviles Honda local; o
o envíe un correo electrónico o chat por medio de www.owners.honda.com/help/customer-relations; o
o visite Twitter @HondaCustSvc; o
o visite www.recalls.honda.comSi usted ha pagado por realizar las reparaciones de la campaña de seguridad específica en su vehículo, usted puede ser elegible para el reembolso, por favor comuníquese con el Centro de Apoyo al Cliente y Campañas de American Honda al 1-888-234-2138 para determinar la elegibilidad potencial y para las instrucciones sobre cómo solicitar el reembolso. Si ya no es el propietario de este vehículo o si alguna información no está correcta, por favor complete, firme y devuelva lo más pronto posible la Tarjeta de Cambio de Información anexa, con el porte pagado. Si usted es el arrendador de este vehículo, las regulaciones federales requieren que usted envié una copia de esta notificación a su arrendatario en un lapso de diez días. Si usted cree que American Honda o el concesionario ha fallado o no le es posible reparar el defecto en su vehículo, sin cobro alguno y dentro de un período de tiempo razonable (60 días desde la fecha en que usted contactó por primera vez el concesionario para la cita de la reparación), usted puede enviar una queja a: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590. Alternativamente, usted también puede comunicarse con el número de llamada sin costo (Toll-free) Vehicle Safety Hotline de NHTSA al 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), o visitar la página https://www.safercar.gov. Sinceramente la pedimos disculpas por cualquier inconveniente que pueda haberle causado esta campaña de seguridad, pero por favor tenga por seguro que su seguridad es nuestra primera preocupación. Atentamente,American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
CAMPAÑA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE
Esta notificación aplica a su vehículo: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Por favor comuníquese con cualquier concesionario Honda autorizado y coordine una cita para la actualización del programa del BCM de su vehículo de forma GRATUITA.
Si usted no es el único conductor de este vehículo, por favor informe a todos los conductores y pasajeros sobre esta información importante.
***********************************************************************************************************
Next Unread Message View Message
DATE: December 11, 2020
TO: All Honda Sales, Service & Parts Managers, and Personnel
FROM: Brad Ortloff, Manager of Auto Campaigns and Recalls
Re: Stop Sale/Noncompliance Recall: Multi-Model Body Control Module
On December 10, 2020, American Honda notified NHTSA of a stop sale and noncompliance recall for certain
2018-2020 Accord, 2018-2020 Accord Hybrid and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles for communication failures in
the body control module. These failures may cause various warning lights to turn on and render various
vehicle features inoperable, causing the vehicle to be noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS). Refer to your eResponsibility report or do an iN VIN status inquiry to determine which units
in your inventory are affected.
Failure to repair a vehicle as necessary prior to sale may subject your dealership to claims or lawsuits.
BACKGROUND
Due to programming issues, the body control module may become disabled causing various warning
lights to turn on. This can cause multiple vehicle features such as, but not limited to, the rearview
camera, front windshield wipers, turn signal indicators or automatic high beam control to become
inoperable. If any of these features become inoperable, the vehicle will be noncompliant with FMVSS
103, 104, 108, 111, 114, 118, and 305.
REPAIR
Update the BCM software.
SOFTWARE
The so􀅌ware is available as of today, December 11, 2020.
PARTS
There are no parts needed for this recall.
TOOLS
There are no special tools needed for this recall.
SERVICE BULLETIN
Service bulletin 20-039, Noncompliance Recall: 2018-20 Accord and 2019-20 Insight BCM Software Update, has
been posted to the Service Information System (SIS) as of December 11, 2020. It includes software, repair,
and warranty information related to this campaign.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Sent on 12 11 2020 Expires on 02 25 2021
From Brad Ortloff, Manager of Auto Campaigns and Recalls
Subject Stop Sale/Noncompliance Recall: Multi-Model Body Control Module
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 1 of 2
American Honda expects to begin customer notification by end of January 2021.
As always, be sure to do an iN VIN status inquiry for all vehicles passing through your dealership to
determine eligibility for any open campaigns.
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 2 of 2
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Next Unread Message View Message
On December 10, 2020, American Honda notified NHTSA of a stop sale and safety recall for certain
2018-2020 Accord and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles for communication failures in the body control module.
These failures may cause various warning lights to turn on and render various vehicle features
inoperable, causing the vehicle to be noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS).
To ensure proper repairs, American Honda stopped the sales of all pre counter-measured 2018-2020
Accord and 2019-2020 Insight Body Control Modules (BCM). Effective immediately all dealers that have
inventory of the below parts are asked to stop installing and return parts back to American Honda.
Stop Sale and Return Request Affected Part Numbers:
38809-
TVA-A02
38809-
TVA-A62
38809-
TVA-A12
38809-
TVA-A92
38809-
TVA-A22
38809-
TWA-A12
38809-
TVA-A32
38809-
TWA-A22
38809-
TVA-A42
38809-
TXM-A01
38809-
TVA-A52
38809-
TXM-A11
Return Request:
You must return all 2018-2020 Accord and 2019-2020 Insight BCMParts(listed above) in your inventory.
No Shipment Listing or Invoice is required for this return. These returns will not be charged against your
SRA credit.
Return iN OAR Procedure
1. Complete the iN OAR procedures.
2. Use Reason Code “R” with eleven zeros for the Shipper Number.
3. Use Item Number “9999.”
4. Enter “Accord and Insight BCM Parts Return” in the Remarks Section.
5. When approved, Print “Authorization Return document and labels” from the iN. Please return
parts as normal with the “Return Authorization attached.”
6. Return the 2018-2020 Accord and 2019-2020 Insight BCMParts (listed above) on your returning DSO
Truck or normal method of return.
Sent on 12 11 2020 Expires on 12 29 2020
From Parts Operations, Campaign Group
Subject Part Stop Sale/ Return Request 2018-2020 Accord and 2019-2020 Insight BCM
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 1 of 2
Order adjustment requests (OARs) must be submitted by January 15th, 2021.
Thank you,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
CH/ms
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 2 of 2
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Service Bulletin
20-039
December 11, 2020 Version 1
Noncompliance Recall: 2018-20 Accord and 2019-20 Insight BCM Software Update
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
2018-20 Accord
Operation Number
Description
Flat Rate Time
Defect Code
Symptom Code
Template ID
Failed Part Number
7465A0
Update the BCM unit software.
0.3 hr.
6BF00
X9500
A20039A
38808-TVA-A01
2018-20 Accord Hybrid
Operation Number
Description
Flat Rate Time
Defect Code
Symptom Code
Template ID
Failed Part Number
7465A0
Update the BCM unit software.
0.3 hr.
6BF00
X9500
A20039B
38808-TWA-A11
2019-20 Insight
Operation Number
Description
Flat Rate Time
Defect Code
Symptom Code
Template ID
Failed Part Number
7465A0
Update the BCM unit software.
0.3 hr.
6BF00
X9500
A20039C
38808-TXM-A01
Skill Level: Repair Technician

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