SUVs are a hot commodity. Take a look around, and you will find dozens of SUV models. Among the most popular and familiar models, is the Honda CR-V. In 2021 alone, Honda sold over 360,000 CRVs. Honda claims their vehicles are “engineered to take you farther”. Unfortunately, Honda CRV owners simply end up at the dealership for brake problems.

The reported brake issues captured the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As a result, the NHTSA launched an investigation into the Honda CRV brake problems.

Honda CR-V Brake Problems – NHTSA Investigation

More than 1.7 million Honda CR-V and Accords are under investigation for “random brake problems”.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the launch of an investigation into the braking system. The investigation stems from  278 complaints that unnecessary braking occurs, even without an obstacle in the vehicle’s path.

According to the NHTSA report, both  Honda CR-V and Accord sedans randomly and forcefully engage the brakes without the driver touching the brake pedal.

Models Involved

The complaints capture the following models :

2017-2019 CR-V SUV (171 vehicles)

2018-2019 Accord Sedan (107 vehicles)

One owner reports:

 “my car suddenly came to a complete stop with the screen flashing BREAK, telling me the automatic braking engaged. The force of the brake while driving 55 mph caused my body to fly forward (to the extent allowed by the seatbelt) and later a bruise across my chest. Everything loose in my car became a projectile. The car immediately behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting me, avoiding an accident.”

On Car and Driver another CR-V owner describes:

 “Our 2020 Honda CR-V does that [braking] if my husband has cruise control on and we pass a car on the freeway. Very dangerous as our car almost completely stops!”

The Honda CR-V Emergency Braking System

Since 2018 Honda has equipped its CR-V and other models with an advanced braking system called the “Honda Sensing Driver-Assist Safety Technology”. In February 2022, Honda released a statement that Honda Sensing, “is now standard or available on all new Honda models.”

Honda Sensing Driver-Assist Safety Technology includes Automated Emergency Braking (AEB), also known as “collision mitigation braking system”. The Honda Sensing braking system is designed to automatically apply the brakes in certain situations, such as a vehicle stopping in front of the driver or a pedestrian crossing the road.

Honda, along with 20 other auto manufacturers agreed to have AEB systems a standard installation on 95 percent of vehicles, by fall of 2022.

The safety feature is meant to prevent accidents from happening. In the NHTSA initial report, six complaints involved collisions and minor injuries as a result of the braking issue.

Despite the many CR-V owners who have complained about the defective braking system, Honda has yet to issue a recall.

Honda CR-V Brake Problem Class-Action Lawsuit

A national Honda CR-V class-action lawsuit (Phylistene Ward v. American Honda Motor Co.) has been filed for the brake and braking problems, and include the following CRV models:

• 2017-2018 Honda CR-V EX
• 2017-2018 Honda CR-V EX-L
• 2017-2018 Honda CR-V Touring

According to the lawsuit, Honda CR-V SUVs have defective “Honda Sensing”.  The Collision Mitigation Braking System causes random uncontrolled braking and dangerous conditions.

A software defect in the braking system causes the vehicle to issue warnings and alerts to the driver. Then, the system automatically engages the brakes without warning, even when there are no obstacles in front of the vehicle.

Other Cars Experiencing Braking Problems

The Honda CR-V is not the only car with such braking problems.  Other auto manufacturers are having emergency braking problems and the lawsuits and investigations are piling up.

The NHTSA has been investigating Tesla for random braking in its 2021 and 2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles. The investigation involves the automated emergency braking system.

Nissan was also hit with a class-action lawsuit for “phantom braking” problems, due to the faulty emergency brake system.

What Should You Do If Your Honda CR-V has Brake Problems?

Brake problems with a Honda CR-V may allow you to get lemon law relief.   It is possible that your Honda CR-V is a lemon. Allow our Lemon Law Attorneys to work on your lemon case at no cost to you. The law requires Honda to pay the legal fees for your claim.

We are familiar with the Honda CR-V braking problems and can inform you of your lemon law rights. As one of the country’s largest and most successful lemon law firms, our attorneys can provide you with PA Lemon Law, NJ Lemon Law , NY Lemon Law, and Hawaii Lemon Law help at no cost to you.

Contact us today to discuss your case at 1-800-MY-LEMON (1-800-695-3666).