Honda updates requirement for diagnostic scans on all vehicles following a collision
Honda has updated its post-collision diagnostic scan and calibration requirements for Honda and Acura vehicles in a position statement.
On page two of the statement, “Diagnostic Requirements” has been updated to use the word “requirements.” It previously said “Diagnostic Recommendations.”
“American Honda’s position is that the only way to accurately determine the post-collision status of all Honda and Acura vehicle electronic control systems is with the factory-authorized diagnostic software, i-HDS,” the statement says.
I-HDS uses the “All DTC Check” feature to completely scan every equipped electronic control system for DTCs in a single operation, the statement says.
The statement adds that American Honda does not test other scan tools or remote diagnostic services and cannot comment on their capabilities or accuracy.
“Diagnostic scan tools or software marketed as ‘OEM Compatible or OEM-C’ have no history of being tested or validated by American Honda,” a new bullet in the statement says. “Consequently, ‘OEM Compatible’ or ‘OEM-C’ scans should not be acknowledged as a proper OEM Diagnostic Scan for Honda and Acura vehicles. The use of the i-HDS software is the only way to perform a proper OEM Diagnostic Scan for Honda and Acura vehicles.”
OEM Compatible (OEM-C) is the word asTech uses for aftermarket scans. The company’s Rules Engine claims to use data from tens of thousands of scans to determine when a remote OEM scan is needed or when an aftermarket scan can be used.
GEICO, which entered into a standardized price agreement with asTech last summer, claimed in an email sent to its Auto Repair Xpress (ARX) shops that the OEM-C option has been verified to yield results equivalent to an OEM tool.
Chris Chesney, Repairify’s vice president of training and organizational development, previously said on C&C Auto Show that the OEM-C was not certified by any outside agency, and that asTech did the verification of the scans.
Soon after the GEICO announcement, Subaru reaffirmed with its Certified Collision Network (SCCN) via email that it does not approve OEM-C scans.
Honda’s updated statement also provides a table that outlines safety and driver assistance systems that require inspections, calibrations, and/or aiming after collisions or other body repairs. It notes that the table is not all-inclusive.
The statement already required a preliminary diagnostic scan during the repair estimation phase to determine what diagnostic trouble codes may be present. It also requires a post-repair diagnostic scan to confirm that no codes remain and safety and driver assistive systems inspections, calibrations and/or aiming after a collision or other body repair for some systems.
Hyundai also recently updated its pre- and post-repair systems scanning position statement. The statement now “requires” a pre-repair scan and post-repair scan on vehicles equipped with electronic components and systems following a collision. The statement, released in June, replaces a 2018 position statement that said the procedures were “recommended.”
“We are pleased to announce an important update to Hyundai’s official position statement on diagnostic system scanning,” a letter from Hyundai says. “In alignment with evolving vehicle technology and safety systems, Hyundai now requires both Pre-Repair and Post-Repair System Scanning as part of a proper and complete repair.”
It says the updated position “clarifies” the essential role of scans in identifying and validating electronic system performance before and after repairs.
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Photo of 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite courtesy of Honda