The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 295,125 Honda vehicles due to reports of unintended activation of the automatic emergency braking systems. These systems are designed to quickly stop vehicles in order to prevent collisions.
The investigation, which was initiated last week, focuses on Honda Insight hybrid sedans from 2019-2022 and Honda Passport midsize crossovers from 2019-2023. This step-up from the preliminary evaluation conducted earlier in March 2024 indicates that a recall may be imminent.
Initially, Honda acknowledged 412 reports of the automatic emergency braking systems engaging even when there was no imminent collision threat. The automaker attributed many of these incidents to customer misunderstanding of the system’s capabilities. However, customers were dissatisfied with this explanation and with responses from Honda dealerships claiming that the systems were functioning correctly.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has reviewed 475 complaints of erroneous emergency braking, including reports of crashes and injuries resulting from system malfunctions.
This is not the first time Honda has faced issues with sudden automatic emergency braking. In 2022, the NHTSA investigated 1.7 million Honda vehicles for similar complaints. Other automakers, such as Volvo and Tesla, have also had to address faulty emergency braking systems in the past.
Despite these challenges, the majority of automakers have fulfilled a 2016 commitment to equip vehicles with automatic emergency braking systems. As of December 2023, 95% of new cars are equipped with this technology. However, the performance of these systems can vary by manufacturer, prompting the federal government to implement new regulations in 2029 to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
Overall, the investigation into Honda vehicles highlights the importance of ensuring the proper functioning of safety features like automatic emergency braking systems to protect drivers and passengers on the road. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
