Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NHTSA Investigates 1.7 Million Hondas for Random Braking

A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration probe covers 2018-2019 Honda Accord and 2017-2019 Honda CR- V vehicles after hundreds of complaints about unexpected braking that can increase the risk of a crash.

February 27, 2022
NHTSA Investigates 1.7 Million Hondas for Random Braking

Automaker Honda is cooperating with a NHTSA investigation of 2018-2019 Honda Accord and 2017-2019 Honda CR-V vehicles.

Photo: Honda

2 min to read


Safety officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched an investigation into 1,732,000 Honda Motor vehicles due to repeated reports of random braking that increases the risk of a crash, reports Reuters.

Ad Loading...

The probe covers 2018-2019 Honda Accords and 2017-2019 Honda CR- V vehicles.

Ad Loading...

Specifically, the agency said in a document posted on its website that it received a total of 278 complaints of “inadvertent or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking system.” This scenario may cause rapid vehicle deceleration and increases the likelihood of a collision. In particular, the problem can lead to increased vulnerability to rear end impact collisions, notes NHTSA.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) notes that it received 107 of the complaints regarding Honda Accords and another 171 concerning Honda CR-Vs. The reports allege braking incidents, “some with large speed changes, occurring with nothing obstructing the vehicle's path of travel.”

Of the 278 complaints, six claim that a collision occurred and resulted in minor injuries.

The Honda probe comes on the heels of a formal investigation one week ago by NHTSA into 416,000 Tesla vehicles over complaints of unexpected brake activation tied to its driver assistance system, Autopilot.

A preliminary evaluation by NHTSA is the first phase before the agency could issue a formal recall demand. Honda said it will cooperate with the investigation and continue its own internal one as well, reports Reuters.

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →