The NHTSA has received over 1,200 complaints regarding Honda's automatic emergency braking system mistakenly activating with no obstacles in sight, potentially leading to accidents. This development has prompted the agency to elevate its probe to an engineering analysis phase, a critical step preceding a possible recall, to further delve into the safety concerns raised by consumers and within the company.
According to agency documents, the investigation covers popular Honda models such as the CR-V and Accord spanning specific model years. While Honda suggests that consumers might misunderstand the system's functionalities and limitations, complaints reveal a disconnect between users' experiences and what dealers perceive as normal functioning. Despite attempts to rectify the issue, some consumers report ongoing problems with the automatic braking system, prompting NHTSA to investigate the frequency and implications of these malfunctions further.