Honda is now recalling almost 6,800 Honda Accord Hybrids released between 2014 and 2015. The recall is in response to an electrical flaw that can shut down the car’s gasoline engine, leaving the vehicles to run on battery power.
The issue lies in the Accord Hybrid’s cell voltage sensor (CVS), reports the Christian Science Monitor. In a statement, Honda said that the CVS may not have enough “electrical noise toughness,” which can result in the incorrect interpretation of electrical noise. If this happens, it can accidentally switch off the car’s gasoline system, tripping the car into an electric vehicle safety mode.
Once the car is switched to the safety mode, it will run at a reduced speed. Since the Accord Hybrid is not a full electric car, it only has a range of about two miles. Once the battery runs out, the car will stall, which can lead to accidents and other car troubles.
This may be troublesome for Accord Hybrid owners, as engine and transmission problems require some of the most expensive auto repairs in the United States.
“Electrical interference may cause the hybrid system to switch into fail-safe mode, disabling the gasoline engine, limiting the vehicle’s speed to 40 mph and functioning only on battery power,” said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a statement about the recall. “Once the battery is discharged, the vehicle will stall.”
According to The Car Connection, Honda has received 58 complaints about the issue, but there have been no reports of injuries yet. The company plans to send a recall notice out to all owners of 2014-2015 Honda Accord Hybrids built between August 29, 2013 and May 30, 2015. This includes 6,786 vehicles that are currently registered in the United States.
Honda says they will send recall notices to Accord Hybrid owners on November 6, 2015. The recall notices will allow owners to take their vehicles to a Honda dealer, who will update the issue with the software. These services will be free of charge.
