While traveling at approximately 55 mph yesterday, in daylight, with no other cars in front, back, or to the side of our car, it radically braked on its own. The collision mitigation system warning light has frequently flashed on the dashboard since we bought the car new in 2019 but never did it apply the brakes on its own. Dealerships over the years have told us "this just happens", and offered no fix for the false positive alerts. This is a dangerous situation which could result in an accident or even death of occupants if not resolved by Honda. I spoke with several dealerships since the phantom braking event and they tell me they hear this complaint often. Being an intermittent situation, it is extremely difficult to diagnose and resolve. Something needs to be done.
Honda Accord Hybrid phantom braking problems
11 of the 740 owner complaints about the Honda Accord Hybrid describe brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking), most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2018
By model year
- 20232
- 20222
- 20211
- 20201
- 20192
- 20183
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
U0401 1
What owners say
Car stopped/hit the brakes on its own without anything in front of it. The collision detection warning went off while traveling at 25 mph, hit the brakes and stopped the car. I have a dashcam and can provide video proof of it.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance feature was activated; however, the Forward Collision Avoidance feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance was activated while there were no vehicles nearby. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed however, the contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Vehicle safety braking automatically operates even when no other vehicles are nearby; no vehicles in front, on either side, and behind my vehicle. In other words, phantom braking occurs without warning. This has occurred numerous times in 2023 and 2024.
We purchased the vehicle new from our local dealer. The vehicle has randomly applied the brakes for no reason. It doesn't happen predictably and can sometimes be a severe or a strong application of the brakes. It is typically a quick application then quick release. Sometimes it will apply the brakes for a close vehicle in another lane. I'm concerned someone will rear end me. It's scary and very unsettling when it happens. I can't tell you a date when it last occurred. This submission form will not allow me to continue without selection a date, so I'm choosing today's date.
While traveling at approximately 72 mph along the NYS Thruway at approximately 6pm on Februay 17, 2024 the vehicle's emergency braking system activated. There were no vehicles or obstuctions present at the time. The cruise control system was engaged at the time of the incident. The vehicle slowed immediately to approximately 59 mph. The dashboard flashed a yellow light indicating to the driver to immediately brake. This happened very quickly and the vehicle then resumed normal speed. At the time of the incident the vehicle was approaching an underpass that was several hundred feet ahead of the vehicle at the time. There has been no incidents prior to this one. I believe our safety was put at risk, as the sudden slowing of the vehicle could have caused a rear end collision. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agencies.
There have been multiple instances of the car slowing or braking while passing other vehicles on the highway. In some cases the emergency BRAKE alert shows on the dashboard and the vehicle brakes on its own. In ALL cases there was no hazard or reason to slow or brake. This occurs often but intermittently. It has occurred in rain, night, day, sun, or other various atmospheric conditions and there seems to be no correlation other than the ACC is engaged at the time and we're passing other vehicles that are on the right side of the car. In several cases, there are other vehicles behind us while passing and the "brake check" occurrences have caused those behind us to have to brake hard or swerve to avoid us. It also creates a terrible habit for the driver of my car of using the accelerator when the BRAKE light illuminates in order to not get hit from behind. The dealer was notified and checked the car and claims there are no issues with ACC or the sensors. This indicates that the system gain tuning my be faulty or too sensitive and that the dealers are not able to make any changes to fix the issue.
Phantom Braking when using Adaptive Cruise control. The vehicle brakes unexpectedly when adaptive cruise control is enabled. Typically happens when there is no leading vehicle in my lane, but there are vehicles ahead of me in other lanes. Happens consistently, almost every time the adaptive cruise is enabled. The system also applies brakes in situations when cruise control is not enabled, and there is no leading vehicle in front of me. Issue can surprise drivers behind me and lead to a collison where I am hit from behind.
My wife’s car and she was driving and the car applied brakes by itself and wife was force to move to the side on a highway. Took it to dealership and said that nothing was wrong with vehicle
I was on the Freeway ramp from I11N to I215 in Henderson, NV. I tapped off the interactive cruise control because my exit was Gibson - immediately after the ramp. Within a few seconds, the car braked heavily on its own, no dash warnings, and almost caused me to get rear ended. I pushed on the brake and then the gas and it stopped the car from braking on its own.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Honda Accord Hybrid phantom braking
Which Honda Accord Hybrid years have brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking) problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (3 complaints), 2019 (2 complaints) and 2022 (2 complaints).
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