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U.S. Auto Safety Regulators Investigate Honda Vehicle Safety
Investigations have been underway by U.S. auto safety regulators regarding issues in models of Honda vehicles manufactured between 2018 and 2022. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has delved into consumer complaints surrounding the activation of automatic emergency brakes in nearly 3 million Honda sedans and SUVs.
Consumer Complaints and Regulator Actions
The NHTSA has received a significant number of consumer complaints amounting to a total of 1,294 regarding the emergency brakes of Honda vehicles. These complaints have highlighted instances where the automatic emergency brakes were activated unexpectedly, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. The issue has reportedly led to 50 incidents of injuries and 31 crashes linked to the defect. It is noteworthy that multiple reports related to the same vehicle have been submitted to the NHTSA.
The initial investigation, launched by the NHTSA in February 2022, focused on specific models such as the 2018-2019 Honda Accord sedans and 2017-2019 Honda CR-V crossover SUVs. Subsequently, on Monday, the regulatory body escalated the probe to an engineering analysis stage, expanding the investigation to include model years 2021-2022 for Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. If the analysis uncovers a safety-related defect, the NHTSA holds the authority to demand that Honda initiate a recall for affected vehicles.
The probe, which now encompasses 2.99 million vehicles, has seen a significant rise from the initial count of 1.7 million. Honda has acknowledged 1,991 reports that may be connected to the alleged defect. The car manufacturer has suggested that certain customers may have had a limited understanding of their vehicle’s braking system. However, many consumers have reported instances where authorized dealers were unable to replicate the issue or dismissed it as a normal operation of the automatic braking system.
Despite these developments, a spokesperson for Honda has not yet responded to requests for comment from Quartz. Previously, Honda had expressed its commitment to collaborating with the NHTSA during the investigative process and conducting an internal examination of the available information.
It is crucial for both regulatory bodies and automakers to address consumer concerns promptly and take necessary actions to ensure the safety and reliability of vehicles on the roads.
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