Honda Automatic Braking System NHTSA Investigation Overview:
- Who: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating complaints regarding certain Honda Acura and Honda CR-V SUVs.
- Why: Drivers are complaining that their vehicles’ automatic emergency braking systems are causing them to stop unexpectedly for no reason.
- Where: The investigation involves vehicles sold nationwide.
An investigation into the emergency braking systems of more than 1.7 million newer Honda vehicles is underway, following complaints they can cause the vehicle to stop on its own for no reason.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it has received a total of 278 complaints in regard to the issue, which reportedly affects model year 2017-19 Honda CR-V SUVs and model year 2018-19 Honda Accords, the AP reports.
Known as phantom braking, the issue can occur when a vehicle that is equipped with an automatic braking system applies the brakes on its own without any provocation, warning or reason, CNET reports.
According to NHTSA documents, some drivers additionally have claimed their vehicles will unexpectedly slow down for no reason, leaving them vulnerable to rear end collisions.
Further, the NHTSA says it is aware of six instances where drivers claim the issue has caused them to get into an accident, leading to minor injuries, the AP reports.
The NHTSA says the reason for the probe is to determine how many vehicles are potentially affected by the issue, which the agency says could ultimately lead to a recall.
Honda Cooperating With Investigation, Doing Internal Review
Honda released an email statement saying it is cooperating with the investigation while also reviewing the situation internally, the AP reports. The car manufacturer has told drivers who are experiencing vehicle problems to contact their dealership.
When working properly, automatic emergency braking systems are designed to apply a vehicle’s brakes in the event that the driver fails to do so, but the system senses that a collision is imminent.
A similar class action lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Volkswagen owners claiming their vehicles’ automatic braking system was causing them to unexpectedly slow, stall or stop while driving.
Just a year prior, a Nissan owner filed a class action lawsuit claiming the automatic braking systems in the car manufacturers model 2017-19 vehicles are defective and can cause them to stop on their own for no reason.
Honda, meanwhile, attempted to resolve a separate issue earlier this month after it recalled more than 300 of its model year 2021 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP motorcycles over concerns that their oil cooler outlet pipes could overheat and melt, endangering riders.
Do you drive a Honda Accord or CR-V SUV with an automatic braking system? Let us know in the comments!
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8 thoughts onNHTSA Investigating Honda Accord, CR-V SUVs Braking Complaints
2021 cr-v hybrid happened a couple of times
I have a 2017 Honda CR-V Touring and I have had it lock up on me 3 times. 1 of those times I almost caused a pile up as I was driving in normal traffic and my Honda just locked up and came to a complete stop. My wife was reaching for her purse on the floor and ended up hitting her head on the dash. I have called Corporate Honda twice on this, and all they say is we will add this to our records.
I have a 2018 Honda CR-V and the brakes locked up leaving me stranded. The millage is 26,000.
Very dangerous and frustrating
Driving. 2021 Honda cr-v. No issues yet.
I had an 2018 and it did it and now my 2021 does it. The radio also make a lous noise.
I have a 2021 Accord Touring. A line of cars stopped short in front of me. As I was hitting the brake all the warning lights started to flash and beep. The brake pedal dropped to the floor like the car was pressing it itself. The wheels locked up and the car started to slide. I was not able to steer do to the car sliding and I hit the car in front of me. After the accident the pedal was still stuck to the floor and the car would not move. I believe this was a very avoidable accident that the car made worse.
I have a 2019 crv and the battery went bad within the 36 month warranty period,but I reported it 1 month after the warranty because I thought it was due to not using it much. It went dead every 3 days.They told me the $85. battery was out of warranty and is regularly 225.00 and will give it to me for 50. but it should have been n/c because it failed before 36 months.These 51r series battery is too small for this vehicle at only 500cca and many owners complain of a battery drain too.I called Honda corporate but they would not replace it at n/c.I worked for Goodyear for 30 years and would never argue with a customer over a 1 month of a warranty,and the battery company could care less.Its not the money,but I do not like being cheated,especially I have owned 6 Honda`s,if there is a class action suit on here,put me in.
I purchased a 2020 Honda Accord for our son. As he drives, he tells me that sometimes his car will slow down when approaching another vehicle, but it possibly could be a safety feature the vehicle has.