Feds Deepens Honda Investigation, Focusing on Accord, CR-V

A federal car safety regulator is expanding its investigation into Honda over a possible problem with automatic emergency braking systems in its vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently upgraded the probe to an “engineering analysis.” The investigation covers some 3 million vehicles, including Accord sedans and CR-V sport utility vehicles.

The agency has received nearly 1,300 complaints about emergency braking systems in cars being deployed without warning. That includes just under 50 reports of accidents related to the problem and almost 100 reports of injuries.

“The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle’s forward path,” NHTSA said in a document detailing the probe. According to the complaints, this results in “sudden vehicle deceleration.”

“Inadvertent or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking system may cause rapid vehicle deceleration, which increases risk of a collision,” NHTSA added.

The investigation covers the following vehicles: 2018–2022 Honda Accord, 2018–2022 Accord Hybrid, 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, and 2020–2022 CR-V Hybrid.

NHTSA first began looking at the issue in February 2022, a probe that initially covered 1.7 million vehicles. 

The engineering analysis is another step toward forcing Honda to recall the vehicles. The move will allow NHTSA to “further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations,” the agency said.

Honda is also facing at least one other NHTSA investigation. 

The agency said earlier this year that it was looking into complaints about “sticky steering” in a range of Honda and Acura models. The investigation covers 50,000 vehicles, according to NHTSA, and includes at least 13 reports of accidents related to the problem.

Just weeks later, the automaker said it was recalling some 4.5 million cars worldwide over faulty fuel pumps. That could cause the vehicles to unexpectedly stall, Honda acknowledged, increasing the risk of accidents for people in those cars and everyone else on the road with them.

California Honda Owners: Know Your Legal Rights

Fortunately, the California lemon law gives Honda owners and lessors in the Golden State some important rights and protections.

The lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must occur before the buyback requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, an Orange County lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.