Steven Cohen  |  January 22, 2020

Category: Auto News

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The American Honda Motor Company has been hit with a class action lawsuit by a vehicle owner who claims that the company’s “Honda Sensing” technology suffers from safety flaws.

Plaintiff Phylistene Ward says the sensing system detects “false positives” or “false alarms,” which result in safety protocols being engaged without warning the driver.

The plaintiff states that she leased a new 2019 Honda CR-V from a Honda dealership in Illinois in June 2019. She says she experienced the defect in the sensing system shortly after she leased the vehicle.

Ward alleges that the CR-V flashed all of its warning lights and alarms during multiple instances, which made her bring the car back to the dealership for assistance and repair.

The plaintiff states that the dealership did not have a solution to the problem besides clearing the error codes. In addition, the dealership performed a test drive but was not able to duplicate the defect.

Ward says she brought the vehicle back to the dealership on five occasions, but they have not been able to fix the car’s sensing defect.

“To this day, and despite five attempts to repair the Defect, Plaintiff’s 2019 Honda CR-V continues to suffer from the Defect, placing her at heightened risk of an accident while also frustrating her ability to operate the vehicle in the manner in which Plaintiff and Honda intended,” the Honda class action complaint notes.

The Honda sensing depends on radar sensors, cameras and computers that are used to avoid collisions by sensing the area surrounding the vehicle. The device will automatically apply the brakes if it senses the need to do so, according to Ward.

In addition, the Honda Sensing technology includes “Collision Mitigation Braking System,” a “Road Departure Mitigation System,” “Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow,” “Lane Keeping Assist System” and a “Cross Traffic Monitor,” according to the plaintiff.

Some of the defects that Ward experienced from the sensing technology include abrupt braking on the highway without warning, displaying numerous warning messages from a false indication of a hazard and alerting drivers to immediately apply the brakes without reason to do so.

Had she been aware of the car’s defect before she bought it, Ward claims she would have either decided not to purchase the vehicle or she would have paid less for it. 

The Honda class action lawsuit claims that Honda has sold over 300,000 CR-V vehicles in the past four years.

There are two proposed Classes in this class action lawsuit:

Main Class: All current or former purchasers and lessees of a Honda CR-V equipped with the Honda Sensing system who purchased or leased their vehicles in the United States (other than for purposes of resale or distribution.)

Illinois subclass: All current or former purchasers and lessees of a Honda CR-V equipped with the Honda Sensing system who purchased or leased their vehicles in Illinois (other than for purposes of resale or distribution.)

Do you own a Honda CR-V and had issues with the sensing technology? If so, leave a message in the comments section below.

The plaintiffs are represented by Michael S. Morrison of Alexander Krakow + Glick LLP and Aaron D. Radbil of Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC.

The Honda CR-V Sensing Defect Lawsuit is Phylistene Ward v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc, et. al. Case No. 2:20-cv-00511, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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199 thoughts onHonda Class Action Alleges Defective Safety Technology

  1. Judy Combs says:

    I have the same problem around once or twice a year with all the sensors just going off for no reason. This time I was just sitting with the car idling. I have a 2018 Honda CRV. I have already replaced the battery last year. Every time I’ve taken it to the dealership with this problem, they have never offered any type of fixes, and they never seem to know why it’s happening. Sometimes when I schedule the appointment to take the car in it quits doing it before I get to the appointment so I can’t even show them. I know there are suggestions for fixes every time this happens but I shouldn’t have to be doing this and it’s scary when it happens.

  2. Charles says:

    I have a 2019 CRV that is experiencing the same thing. It all started with a bad battery, which initiated the warning light issue. I paid nearly $200 for a new battery and the lights keep coming back on after multiple resets.

  3. Julie Foster says:

    I have a 2017 CRV with ongoing issues. Turbo charger replacement completed and less tgan 3 months later another replacement was necessary. All the lights come on every time I start the car. I will NEVER buy another Honda as long as I live.

  4. Rob Conarroe says:

    Yes, I have a 2021 CRV and just experienced this problem for the first time last week. I’ve been without my car while the repair folks try to figure it out, but after reading this I know I’m not alone. It’s a safety hazard.

  5. Samuel Shrieves says:

    Front end damage to my 2023 Honda CRV, damaged the Collision Mitigation System Sensor. My Tampa body shop ordered this sensor at the end of July 2023. For some reason there is a Nationwide shortage of this park, with no known delivery date. So today is November 19, 2023, and no answers from Honda America. Honda is obviously installing these sensors on their new car production, but few if any for used Honda CRV’s in the repair shops. Sam in Tampa Florida 46

  6. John Voll says:

    I have a 2017 CRC with warning light issue similar to what is described in the article.

  7. Jacklyn Rydman says:

    I have Honda 2018 CRV and periodically all the safety lights go on the same time! It brakes on the freeway, almost causing an accident! It’s alarming and there are so many Honda owners experiencing the same issue!

  8. Angelina Hobson says:

    I have a 2021 Honda CR-V purchased in July 2021 brand new. The brakes and braking light come on all the time with nothing in front of me. Last week several lights came on and it said “Some Drive Assist Systems Cannot Operate: Radar Obstructed”. I was driving straight down the interstate. It eventually went off. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I have had sticky and jerky steering for about a year. It also makes a terrible clicking sound. The dealership informed me, at 59K miles, that my entire steering rack has to be replaced to the tune of $4,000….and I don’t have the money as a single mom who commutes 130 miles a day. I made a claim with American Honda Motor Company and the would not offer help. If I trade it in, I am taking a $6K loss…because if you drive it you know right away the steering is failing. Please help!!!

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