After a series of complaints and crashes, federal safety regulators have launched a probe into an unexpected braking issue in 2018-2019 Honda Accord sedans and 2019 Honda CR-V SUVs.
278 consumer complaints have been filed stating that the vehicles’ automatic emergency braking (AEB) system suddenly and inadvertently brakes while in motion.
According to Consumer Reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it is aware of six collisions with minor injuries that may be related to this issue. More than 1.7 million vehicles are involved in this investigation.
Unexpected Braking Issue
Designed to detect vehicles and other obstacles, AEB systems automatically slow down the vehicle to prevent or lessen the severity of a crash. This technology has undoubtedly helped reduce crashes and save lives.
However, NHTSA’s complaints about these vehicles say that unexpected braking occurs without warning and randomly, sometimes involving large speed changes even when there are no obstacles on the roadway.
NHTSA says drivers are at an increased risk of being involved in a rear-end crash when unexpected braking occurs. Honda officials have said they will cooperate with the NHTSA through the investigation process and continue their own internal review of the information.
Nissan is also under investigation for similar braking problems. In 2019, Mazda issued a recall for a similar problem. Meanwhile, NHTSA is investigating electric carmaker Tesla for a phenomenon known as “phantom braking,” when the vehicle suddenly brakes while the Autopilot driver-assist system is engaged.
Understanding a NHTSA Probe
During such an investigation involving a serious vehicle safety defect, NHTSA gets information from the automaker, allowing the company to present its own arguments relating to the defect.
Most investigations are closed within a year because the manufacturer decided to issue a recall, or NHTSA decides there are no issues relating to vehicle safety.
Occasionally, the probe continues longer if the investigation requires further analysis. A recall occurs when the automaker and/or NHTSA find that a safety defect must be corrected or that the vehicle doesn’t meet federal safety standards.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective auto or vehicle part, such as this unexpected braking issue, you can file a lawsuit for auto product liability. You could recover compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. An experienced defective auto defect lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options better.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/nhtsa-investigates-honda-unexpected-braking-complaints-a9281526240/
