Recall 20V798 affects 27,838 2020-2021 Honda Insight, Accord Hybrid, and Cr-V Hybrid vehicles for DC-DC converter shutdown. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 27,838 2020-2021 Insight, Accord Hybrid, and Cr-V Hybrid vehicles because the DC-DC converter can shut down and stop the 12-volt battery from recharging. A loss of drive power can increase crash risk, and Honda dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The power converter unit, or PCU, on the 2020-2021 Honda Insight, Accord Hybrid, and Cr-V Hybrid manages electrical power for the hybrid system. Inside it, the DC-DC converter steps high-voltage hybrid power down so the 12-volt battery stays charged. That 12-volt supply supports key vehicle electronics while the hybrid system is operating.
In the recalled vehicles, transistors inside the DC-DC converter were built with too much dopant, a material added to control how the transistor handles electricity. In cold temperatures, that condition can raise the converter's voltage output. The higher voltage can trigger a manufacturing test circuit that is not meant to run during normal driving, amplifying output until the converter shuts down for overvoltage. Once it shuts down, the 12-volt battery stops recharging and drive power can be lost.
The warning sign is the 12-volt battery system charging indicator lighting up. If that light comes on, the converter has already stopped charging the 12-volt battery.
Who's affected?
Covers 3 Honda hybrid models from the 2020-2021 model years, with scope tied to the electric propulsion system and battery.
| 2021 Honda Insight | electric propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Honda Insight | electric propulsion system |
| 2021 Honda Insight | battery |
| 2020 Honda Insight | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Honda Insight | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Honda Insight | battery |
| 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid | battery |
| 2020 Honda Cr-V Hybrid | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Honda Cr-V Hybrid | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Honda Cr-V Hybrid | battery |
| Units affected | 27,838 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 118 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash because the vehicle can stop responding to accelerator input while in traffic. The 12-volt battery system charging indicator can illuminate before the issue is noticed, so schedule the software update soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Honda Insight, Accord Hybrid, or Cr-V Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free PCU software update that fixes the DC-DC converter shutdown risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V798 and Honda recall K9E when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete; loss of drive power can increase crash risk.
- Call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 with questions about scheduling or recall status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician updates the power converter unit software covered by recall 20V798. The software update and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related power converter unit software repair before the recall notice, Honda's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the Honda service desk, or contact Honda customer service if the dealer asks for a claim review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 17, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| December 18, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 12, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 25, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 25, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V798?
Recall 20V798 covers 27,838 2020-2021 Honda Insight, Accord Hybrid, and Cr-V Hybrid vehicles. The DC-DC converter can shut down and stop the 12-volt battery from recharging, which can lead to a loss of drive power. Honda dealers update the power converter unit software for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Honda Insight, Accord Hybrid, or Cr-V Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V798. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the power converter unit software update. Reference recall number 20V798 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will update the power converter unit software free of charge. Any franchised Honda dealer can perform the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of drive power while the vehicle is being driven. Honda's filing says the DC-DC converter can stop recharging the 12-volt battery, and that loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
What if I bought this Honda used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Honda is included, then call a franchised Honda dealer and reference recall number 20V798.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V798000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V798 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V798000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →