The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports of inadvertent activation of Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) in vehicles, with over 2,876 complaints from Honda owners. American Honda Motor Co. acknowledged 1,991 related reports, prompting scrutiny of the safety implications of these incidents.
The CMBS, akin to automatic emergency braking, is under investigation for activating without apparent obstacles, leading to 47 crashes and fires and 112 injuries. Despite Honda’s assertion that some customers may misunderstand CMBS’s limitations, the NHTSA’s engineering analysis seeks to evaluate the frequency and potential risks associated with these activations.
Covering 2,997,604 Honda CR-V and Accord models from 2017 to 2022, including hybrid variants, the investigation poses significant challenges in addressing safety concerns. While dealers have been unable to replicate the issue, potential remedies, such as software updates, could affect millions of vehicles and require extensive labor hours.
Amidst model redesigns and shifting market dynamics, Honda faces pressure to address safety issues promptly and transparently. As investigations unfold, consumer confidence in advanced safety systems and regulatory oversight will shape industry responses and future vehicle technologies.
