Honda Is Being Investigated for a Phantom Braking Issue in Millions of Vehicles

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Close-up view of a modern car wheel with sharp design and red brake caliper, showcasing sleek automotive style.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up view of a modern car wheel with sharp design and red brake caliper, showcasing sleek automotive style.

Honda is being investigated for a phantom braking issue that affects millions of vehicles. This issue can cause the brakes to engage unexpectedly, potentially leading to accidents.

The investigation is being led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA has received reports of the issue affecting vehicles from the 2013 to 2016 model years.

Honda has issued a recall for some of the affected vehicles, but the issue remains a concern for many owners. In some cases, the phantom braking issue has caused vehicles to stop suddenly, even on flat roads.

Honda Under Investigation

Honda is being investigated for a phantom braking issue that could affect over 3 million vehicles.

The investigation, led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is looking into the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in Honda models, including the CR-V and Accord.

Reports of phantom braking have been flooding in, with over 1,294 complaints received by the NHTSA. Some of these complaints have resulted in crashes and injuries, with 31 crashes and 50 injuries reported.

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Credit: youtube.com, Honda’s Unexpected Braking Issue EXPLAINED! | NHTSA 10200413 Dealer Message Breakdown

The issue is linked to the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) in Honda models, which is designed to prevent or reduce the severity of rear-end collisions. However, the system has been reported to activate randomly, without any obstruction in the vehicle's path.

Honda is cooperating with the investigation and sharing information related to the possible defect. However, the company claims that customers may have had a lack of understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.

The investigation is in the engineering analysis phase, which typically takes 18 months before a recall happens. Until then, affected Honda owners are advised to report any abnormal AEB activations to both the automaker and the safety agency.

Over 1.7 million Honda vehicles are currently under investigation, including the 2017-2019 CR-V and 2018-2019 Accord models. The NHTSA has also received reports of phantom braking in other Honda models, including the 2019-2022 Honda Insight and the 2019-2023 Honda Passport.

Honda's emergency braking system uses radar to track vehicles ahead and can apply the brakes automatically if the vehicle ahead stops or slows down. However, when this system misfires, it can contribute to the very sort of crashes the technology was designed to prevent.

Phantom Braking Issue Details

Credit: youtube.com, Honda Recalls 124k vehicles over Braking System Issue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a possible glitch in Honda's Automatic Emergency Braking systems. This issue has caused 278 complaints of sudden braking for no reason in Honda Accord sedans and CR-V SUVs.

Honda's emergency braking system uses radar to track vehicles ahead and can apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn't react to a possible imminent collision. The system is primarily designed to prevent or reduce the severity of rear-end collisions.

The vehicles being investigated are 2018 and 2019 model year Accords and 2017 to 2019 CR-Vs, with a total of about 1.7 million of these vehicles currently on the road in the US. There are also 3 million Hondas affected by the phantom braking issue.

NHTSA has received reports of 93 injuries and 47 crashes potentially related to the unintended automatic braking. Several people who submitted complaints to NHTSA said the problem occurred in their vehicles multiple times.

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Affected Models

Credit: youtube.com, NHSTA Investigating Honda for Phantom Braking! What's going on?

The Honda CR-V and Honda Accord are the most affected models in this investigation, with over 1.7 million vehicles being looked into. The problem seems to be more prevalent in the CR-V, with 171 complaints filed, compared to 107 complaints for the Accord.

The CR-V models from 2017-2019 are the main focus of the investigation, while the Accord models from 2018-2019 are also being examined. These models have the "collision mitigation braking systems" that are causing the phantom braking issue.

In addition to these models, Honda Pilot drivers have also reported issues with phantom braking, with one driver noting that the front driver-side brake sensor activated and made a warning beeping sound erratically. This suggests that other Honda models may also be affected by this problem.

The Honda Sensing suite, which includes Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Traffic Sign Recognition, is also being investigated for concurrent issues with the CMBS. This means that drivers may experience false safety alerts or sudden braking without warning.

If this caught your attention, see: Honda Accord

Credit: youtube.com, Honda & Acura Recall: Brake Pedal Pivot Pin (Pilot, MDX, TLX)

Honda has issued one recall in 2015 to address braking system issues, but it's unclear if this recall addressed the phantom braking problem. The company is cooperating with the NHTSA investigation and is expected to share information related to the possible defect.

Over 3 million Honda models are being investigated for AEB faults, with 93 injuries and 47 crashes potentially related to unintended automatic braking. This includes the 2017-2019 CR-V and 2018-2019 Accord models, as well as other Honda models that may be affected by the phantom braking issue.

The NHTSA has received 1,294 reports of the CMBS system suddenly activating, with 31 complaints involving a crash related to the problem and 50 complaints reporting 58 injuries. Honda is expected to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide information related to the possible defect.

The investigation is ongoing, and an NHTSA engineering analysis typically takes 18 months before a recall happens. In the meantime, Honda owners of affected models should report any abnormal AEB activations to both the automaker and the safety agency.

Discover more: Honda Models

What to Do

Credit: youtube.com, BIG problem for newer Honda vehicles could result in a crash!

If you're experiencing phantom braking issues with your Honda vehicle, there are a few things you can do to address the problem.

First, review your vehicle's model year and make to see if it's on the list of affected models, which includes the Honda Accord, CR-V, Insight, Passport, and Pilot from 2016-2022.

If you're experiencing sudden braking, jerking, or shuddering, take note of the circumstances surrounding the issue, such as the speed and weather conditions.

You can also report the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by submitting a formal complaint, as multiple drivers have already done so.

If you're planning to sell or trade-in your vehicle, consider having a mechanic inspect it for any potential issues with the automatic emergency braking system.

Some affected models include the Honda Civic, HR-V, Odyssey, and Ridgeline, although they may not be as prone to phantom braking issues as the primary affected models.

For another approach, see: Tesla Ford Vehicle Recalls

Fix Available?

Black Honda hatchback driving on a wet, rural road with forest background.
Credit: pexels.com, Black Honda hatchback driving on a wet, rural road with forest background.

Unfortunately, Honda has not provided a fix for the braking system problems in their vehicles. The automaker initially instructed dealers to re-position the radars, but later retracted this explanation.

As of now, there is no official fix available for the affected vehicles. This means that Honda owners may continue to experience issues with their automatic emergency braking systems.

Multiple class-action lawsuits have been filed, citing issues such as sudden braking, jerking, and shuddering. These symptoms could be indicative of problems with the AEB system.

Some Honda drivers have reported that their vehicles will mistakenly detect opposing traffic, weather, shadows, and other roadway objects as pedestrians or other vehicles. This can be a serious safety concern.

Here are some of the Honda models that may be affected by the CMBS problems:

  • Honda Accord (2016–2022)
  • Honda CR-V (2016–2022) (EX, EL and Touring)
  • Honda Insight (2019–2022)
  • Honda Passport (2016–2022)
  • Honda Pilot (2016–2022)

Other Honda vehicles, including the Civic, HR-V, Odyssey, and Ridgeline, may also be affected. It's essential for owners to be aware of these potential issues and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety on the road.

Contact Lemon Law Experts

Credit: youtube.com, The California Lemon Law Experts

If you suspect that your Honda or other vehicle is a lemon, consult with a reputable lemon law attorney who can inform you of your options and legal rights. They can help you determine if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under the California lemon law.

A reputable lemon law firm will fight diligently in litigation to ensure that their clients become the prevailing party. This means that if you win, the manufacturer is required to cover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

Car manufacturers employ top-tier attorneys, making it difficult for individuals to secure what they deserve if they go at it alone. You'll need the best legal support at your side possible to take on a large auto manufacturer like Honda.

If you purchased or leased your 2016-2022 Honda vehicle in California and you are experiencing problems with the braking system, the Lemon Law Experts can offer assistance. They have been representing consumers across the state of California against large auto manufacturers since 2009.

One of the Lemon Law Experts' team of attorneys can assist you through a quick, no-obligation case evaluation.

Safety Concerns

Credit: youtube.com, Fleet Liability Concerns about “Phantom Braking” by Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Systems

Honda is being investigated for a phantom braking issue, which means their automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems are activating without an obstruction in the vehicle's path.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received over 290,000 reports of phantom braking in Honda vehicles, including the 2019-2022 Insight and 2019-2023 Passport models.

Honda has acknowledged 412 reports related to the defect, and some complaints suggest that dealership staff have dismissed these incidents as "normal AEB operation", but NHTSA argues otherwise.

NHTSA has documented 106 incidents tied to the problem, including eight injuries and three crashes, some of which resulted in fires.

Honda owners of affected models should report any abnormal AEB activations to both the automaker and the safety agency during this time.

Over 1.7 million vehicles are currently on the road in the US that may be affected by this issue.

The investigation covers the 2017-2019 CR-V models and 2018-2019 Accord models, with 278 complaints of sudden braking for no reason in Accords and CR-Vs.

Credit: youtube.com, Autobraking tech will be standard in cars by 2022, but drivers complain of "phantom braking"

Six complaints allegedly involved collisions, some resulting in minor injury, according to NHTSA documents.

Honda will cooperate with the NHTSA through the investigation process, and they will continue their own internal review of the available information.

The issue revolves around phantom braking, which can increase the risk of collisions and is a major safety concern.

The NHTSA has received 1,294 reports of the CMBS system suddenly activating, with 31 complaints involving a crash related to the problem and 50 complaints reporting 58 injuries.

Honda claims customers may have had a lack of understanding of the CMBS and its limitations, but this still sounds like a problem created by Honda.

If there isn't a Honda CR-V phantom braking problem, then why is the system so hard to understand?

The NHTSA investigation is still in its early stages, and it's unclear what the outcome will be.

Carlos Bartoletti

Writer

Carlos Bartoletti is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in exploring the intricacies of modern work life. With a strong background in research and analysis, Carlos crafts informative and engaging content that resonates with readers. His writing expertise spans a range of topics, with a particular focus on professional development and industry trends.

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