NHTSA Engineering Analysis: Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking in Honda Accord (EA24-002)

EA24-002 at a glance

What is NHTSA investigating in the Honda Accord?

From NHTSA’s investigation summary:

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.

The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration.

Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect.

Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.

However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation.

To date, ODI has received a total of 1,294 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in 2017-2022 Honda CR-V and 2018-2022 Honda Accord vehicles.

A total of 31 complaints alleged a crash and 50 alleged an injury.

The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.

In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.

In total, there were X,XXX reports, 93 injury incidents and 47 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect.

PE22-003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations.

The scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles.

To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What is an engineering analysis?

Engineering Analysis is the second, deeper stage of a federal defect investigation, opened when a preliminary evaluation finds enough evidence. NHTSA can test vehicles and demand detailed engineering data, and this stage often ends with a recall or a recall request.

Did this investigation lead to a recall?

Not yet. The investigation is still open, and NHTSA has not listed a recall from it. Investigations can take months. If your vehicle already has the problem, document every dealer visit now.

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Honda Accord owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 1,360 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

What should owners do?

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
2. If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
3. Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
4. File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
5. If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.

Recalls on the same vehicles

• 2023-2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Spare Tire Recall (26V366)
• 2021, 2023 Acura TLX Passenger Air Bag Recall (26V332)
• 2023 Honda Accord Seat Fastener Recall (26V054)
• 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Electrical Power Control Unit Software Recall (25V785)
• 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Fuel Line Recall (25V378)
• 2023-2024 Honda Accord Seat Fastener Recall (24V859)
• 2023-2024 Honda Accord Fuel Pump Recall (24V763)
• 2023-2025 Acura Integra Steering Recall (24V744)
• 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid High-Voltage Battery Recall (24V745)
• 2024 Honda CR-V Tire Markings Recall (24V508)

Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?

Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).

An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions