The U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has escalated its investigation into nearly 3 million Honda vehicles that are experiencing unexpected automatic braking incidents, which has raised concerns about potential safety risks. The agency received 1,294 complaints regarding the problem, with reports from consumers and the company itself, prompting the investigation to advance to an engineering analysis stage, one step away from a potential recall if deemed necessary.
Consumers have alleged that Honda's automatic emergency braking system activates without any obstacles in the vehicle's forward path, leading to an increased likelihood of accidents. The affected models include the popular CR-V small SUV and the Accord midsize car, with model years ranging from 2017 to 2022. While Honda has indicated that some customers may not fully comprehend the system's functionalities and limitations, complaints from consumers suggest that dealers have been unable to replicate the issue, leaving some drivers concerned about the system's reliability. In response, Honda has stated that it will cooperate with the NHTSA's investigation into the Collision Mitigation Braking System and conduct its own internal review to address the reported concerns.
This investigation adds to a series of inquiries by the NHTSA probing the performance of automatic braking systems, a technology praised for its potential to reduce rear-end collisions and enhance road safety. With most new vehicles already incorporating these systems through a voluntary industry initiative, the agency aims to establish regulations mandating the inclusion of such safety features in new vehicles, as well as setting standards for their functionality to accurately detect obstacles and execute braking maneuvers effectively.