WASHINGTON — U.S. auto safety regulators have launched an investigation into more than 1.7 million Honda Motor Co. vehicles for unintended automatic emergency braking.
The investigation covers 2018-19 Honda Accord midsize cars and 2017-19 Honda CR-V compact crossovers.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation said it has received 278 complaints — 107 for the Accord and 171 for the CR-V — alleging “inadvertent activation of the collision mitigation braking system” in those vehicles.
“The complaints allege braking incidents, some with large speed changes, occurring with nothing obstructing the vehicles path,” according to a document posted Thursday to NHTSA’s website.
The agency opened the investigation Monday.
Six of the complaints allege a collision with minor injuries, according to the report. The complaints also allege the inadvertent braking happens without warning.
“Twice in the past six months, driving down our rural road to our neighborhood, the car flashed the ‘brake’ sign on the dash and applied the brakes,” one complaint reads. “After touching the brake pedal, the car returned to its normal speed. The road was clear, with no obstructions, no cars in front or cars [from] coming the other direction.”
A spokesman for Honda did not immediately respond to a request by Automotive News for comment.
With the safety probe, the agency will assess the scope and severity of the potential defect and other possible safety-related issues.
Most NHTSA investigations start as preliminary evaluations, in which agency engineers request information from the manufacturer, including data on complaints, injuries and warranty claims. The manufacturer also can present its view regarding the alleged defect and may issue a recall.
After the evaluation, NHTSA will either close the investigation or move into the next phase. If a safety-related defect exists, according to NHTSA, the agency might send a “recall request” letter to the manufacturer.
