by A new federal investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into problems with the emergency braking system of over 1.7 million Honda CR-V and Accord models.
This investigation was prompted by nearly 300 complaints about Honda Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) problems. These issues affect 2018–19 Honda Accord and 2017–19 Honda CR-V vehicles.
The complaints center around the cars braking even when there are no objects in front of them. According to the NHTSA’s investigation, this problem has resulted in minor injuries and six collisions. A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles may be able to help you if you’ve been affected.
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Facts About Honda’s Emergency Braking System
The CMBS is an automatic braking system intended to prevent drivers from hitting pedestrians or other objects. It operates via a windshield-mounted camera and a radar transceiver and triggers the brakes if an object is detected. The problem with the vehicles in question is that the brakes are activated even when there is no object.
Honda states that the CMBS works in three stages. First, the CMBS detects an object ahead and cues the driver with visual and audio alerts.
If the system detects a risk of a crash and the driver does nothing to prevent it, then alerts continue while the brakes are lightly engaged.
If the driver still does nothing and a crash is imminent, the brakes are more heavily applied while the alerts persist.
The complaint from Honda owners is that the faulty CMBS causes random braking. This, in turn, poses a higher risk of rear-ending accidents for the Honda driver.
Class-Action Lawsuit Against American Honda
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against American Honda, alleging that the newer CR-V models equipped with the automatic braking system make the car more dangerous instead of operating as a safety system.
According to the lawsuit, the “Honda Sensing” brake system is a standard feature on all 2017–18 Honda CR-V models. The vehicles affected specifically are:
- 2017–18 Honda CR-V EX
- 2017–18 Honda CR-V EX-L
- 2017–18 Honda CR-V Touring
The lawsuit addresses a defect in the Honda Sensing system that causes the CR-V to issue audio and visual cues to the driver that there’s an object in the car’s path. The brakes are automatically engaged without warning, even though nothing is in the vehicle’s path.
The Honda Sensing system integrates four safety features:
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Road departure mitigation
- Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
- Lane keeping assistance
According to the lawsuit, the ACC of the CR-V doesn’t automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed at the right times, which leads to the brakes being automatically engaged when nothing is in front of the vehicle.
The collision mitigation system further contributes to the problem by engaging to prevent a crash when the system thinks there’s an obstruction in front of it. This has been dubbed a “false positive,” as nothing is actually present. Therefore, the lawsuit alleges that the Hondas brake on their own for no apparent reason.
Will Honda Issue a Recall?
Currently, Honda has not issued a recall on the CR-V and Accord models. Honda owners have contacted the American Honda customer service department directly and filed complaints with the NHTSA.
Many car owners are asking if there will be a recall for the Honda Sensing technology. However, Honda states that there is no official problem, and therefore a recall won’t be issued. Honda is also not offering any warranty repairs on the affected vehicles at this time.
Do You Suspect You Have a Lemon of a Car? Contact a Lemon Law Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you’ve been affected by a faulty emergency braking system in your Honda CR-V or Accord, you may be protected under California Lemon Law. A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles will explain how these laws protect consumers against faulty or defective vehicles.
For example, a problem in a vehicle’s design, one of its systems, or in the manufacturing process may result in a car that doesn’t work correctly. The auto manufacturer has an obligation to repair or replace the affected vehicles free of charge.
Lemon laws only cover certain vehicles, and owners must meet specific circumstances to have a case. A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can help consumers who may have been affected by faulty vehicles.
