Honda's Automatic Braking System Under Investigation by NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Honda's automatic emergency braking system (AEB) after receiving numerous complaints about unexpected braking incidents. The investigation, which began in February 2022, has been upgraded to an engineering analysis, the final step before a potential recall.
The complaints allege that the AEB system can activate without warning, even when there are no obstacles in the vehicle's path. This sudden braking can increase the risk of rear-end collisions and other accidents. NHTSA has received 1,294 complaints, including 47 reports of crashes and 112 reports of injuries.
The investigation covers two of Honda's most popular models, the CR-V and the Accord, for model years 2017-2022 (CR-V) and 2018-2022 (Accord). While Honda claims that some customers may have misunderstood the system's limitations, consumers report that dealerships were unable to reproduce the issue and dismissed their concerns.
In a statement, Honda said it will continue to cooperate with NHTSA's investigation and conduct its own internal review. NHTSA will assess the frequency and potential safety risks associated with the AEB system malfunction.
This investigation is part of a broader trend of scrutiny surrounding automatic braking systems. While the technology has the potential to prevent accidents, concerns about its performance and reliability have been raised. NHTSA is currently developing regulations to mandate AEB systems on all new vehicles and establish standards for their functionality.
The majority of new vehicles already come equipped with AEB systems as part of a voluntary industry program. However, the NHTSA investigation highlights the importance of ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of this potentially life-saving technology.