I had the head unit software update completed this morning. There's a ton of questions about it so I thought I would post some facts on how to get it and some of the changes to the system.
Question 1: How do I know that I need it?
You must have a specific repeatable problem, which is ONLY that the brightness controls of the head unit are broken. The head unit will be stuck at full brightness day and night. If you don't have this issue, Honda will not give it to you. It is only for the specified symptom, and generally it isn't well known nor will dealers just install it if you come with other head unit problems.
Question 2: I have the head unit brightness problem, how do I get the update?
Honda makes this difficult. First, you need to take an active (and courteous) role in helping your dealer diagnose. Let them know there is a service news article about the issue (not TSB) and that you think it applies. Suggest that they chat with the Honda tech line as well. The July 2018 service news article number is: "A18070I Version 1". It is attached in the next post to this message. Notice the ambiguity... It isn't surprising that dealers have been inconsistent in their approaches.
The dealer will probably not jump directly to a USB fix. They should order a new head unit. Let this happen.
Honda will likely cancel the order within a day or so and at that point you might need to offer the suggestion again to review the service news article, call the tech line and inquire about the software update mentioned in the article.
At this point, as long as they are following through, you should receive an appointment for the software update.
This whole process took me 13 days from my original diagnostic appointment to the day of the software update.
Question 3: what to expect?
The appointment took an hour total. The brightness controls work. Software numbers change which you can go verify. There is a new kernel build date, new software build number and many app version numbers changed:
Old Build Number 1.F193.03:
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New Build Number 1.F196.82:
![]()
Additionally, many individual applications within the Android OS were updated. I didn't check everything but I verified quite a few before it became tedious. For example, see below:
Before, version 4.2.2-3:
![]()
After, version 4.2.2-32:
![]()
I can't speak to general stability or other fixes beyond the brightness fix, but it does seem like more than just one or two things were updated.
Of note, Android auto version was not updated. Only apks that start with 4.2.2-3 were. Android auto was and remains at 1.0 (as well as a few other miscellaneous apks)
Question 1: How do I know that I need it?
You must have a specific repeatable problem, which is ONLY that the brightness controls of the head unit are broken. The head unit will be stuck at full brightness day and night. If you don't have this issue, Honda will not give it to you. It is only for the specified symptom, and generally it isn't well known nor will dealers just install it if you come with other head unit problems.
Question 2: I have the head unit brightness problem, how do I get the update?
Honda makes this difficult. First, you need to take an active (and courteous) role in helping your dealer diagnose. Let them know there is a service news article about the issue (not TSB) and that you think it applies. Suggest that they chat with the Honda tech line as well. The July 2018 service news article number is: "A18070I Version 1". It is attached in the next post to this message. Notice the ambiguity... It isn't surprising that dealers have been inconsistent in their approaches.
The dealer will probably not jump directly to a USB fix. They should order a new head unit. Let this happen.
Honda will likely cancel the order within a day or so and at that point you might need to offer the suggestion again to review the service news article, call the tech line and inquire about the software update mentioned in the article.
At this point, as long as they are following through, you should receive an appointment for the software update.
This whole process took me 13 days from my original diagnostic appointment to the day of the software update.
Question 3: what to expect?
The appointment took an hour total. The brightness controls work. Software numbers change which you can go verify. There is a new kernel build date, new software build number and many app version numbers changed:
Old Build Number 1.F193.03:
New Build Number 1.F196.82:
Additionally, many individual applications within the Android OS were updated. I didn't check everything but I verified quite a few before it became tedious. For example, see below:
Before, version 4.2.2-3:
After, version 4.2.2-32:
I can't speak to general stability or other fixes beyond the brightness fix, but it does seem like more than just one or two things were updated.
Of note, Android auto version was not updated. Only apks that start with 4.2.2-3 were. Android auto was and remains at 1.0 (as well as a few other miscellaneous apks)
