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2020 Honda Accord: false forward collision warnings

26 of the 370 complaints about the 2020 Honda Accord describe false forward collision warnings.

owner complaints
26
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
30,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 5 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

False forward collision warnings by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Driver assistance · 82,605 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the Collision Mitigation Braking System unexpectedly engaged, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop, and the vehicle jerked while there was no other vehicle or obstacle nearby. The local dealer was contacted by phone and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 82,605.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · SC

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the messages "Emissions System Failure," "Electric Power Steering Failure," "Hill Start Assistant Failure," "Collision Mitigation," "Collision Road Departure," "TPMS Failure," "Brake System Failure”, “Brake Performance Reduced", "Vehicle Stability Assistance Failure," "Adaptive Cruise Control Failure", "Road Departure Mitigation Failure," and "Brake Hold System Failure" were displayed. The contact stated that the check engine, TPMS, brake system, traction control, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket and turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 35,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the radar sensor, located on the front bumper, indicated that the vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle was not involved in a crash. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking twice. After several minutes, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The “BRAKE” message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on the expressway. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be repaired. Most recently, while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights were illuminated and remained illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control and Lane Departure warning lights failed to function as intended. The vehicle also failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact's wife pulled to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle returned to driving as intended. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MS

I have constantly had to replace spark plugs within the last year — all lights are on dashboard. Finally took it and got a P0372 code, rough idling and misfiring, and stalling. Car once cut off on me while driving. Took it to the Honda dealership and it is indeed my fuel injectors and gasket. I have tried to get in touch about a possible recall but the Honda Manufacturer are failing to release a recall. With all lights on dashboard, NO features of the car can be used (cruise control, road departure, lane keep assist, collision mitigation, hill start assist, traction control, brake hold, and tpms) I’m looking forward to a recall coming as soon as possible. I have done my research and thousands of people are having the SAME issue, it is frustrating especially with the cost of work having to be done. Nobody should have to purchase a new car because of a defect of the manufacturer or too lazy to investigate the issue. HONDA Salesmen and mechanics all say the same thing about the 1.5L Sports model. Over 3,400 worth of work due to a problem I did not cause.

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Driver assistance · MD

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Automatic Emergency Braking System erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact was informed of the federal safety agency Action Number: EA24002 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE); and related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Driver assistance · OH

It is uncertain which specific system/systems have failed/malfunctioned at this point. Despite frequent and consistent communication with Honda, no real attempt has been made to uncover the cause of this issue, and no solution has been provided. The vehicle has been, and is, available for inspection upon request. This is the 2nd occurrence since the first event on 21 April 2025. This occurred on the interstate. During this event, the vehicle's forward collision warning triggered an audible and visual alert that could not be shut off. This led to a very near miss as traffic was rapidly approaching the rear of my vehicle. At the time of the incident, I was in the left lane. Traffic was very light. The weather was dark and dry. CMBS was on. ACC was off. LKAS was on. RDM was on. Problem has not yet been reproduced but dealer has verbally indicated that they get frequent complaints about the system. This includes one employee who has experienced this on his personal vehicle. Many DTCs have been recovered from the vehicle’s log. Manufacturer: Yes, vehicle has spent 30 days, to date, in custody of Honda Police: Not yet. Will do immediately if advised Insurance Representatives: Not yet. Will do immediately if advised Others: No. Any work on the vehicle performed outside of Honda East Cincinnati will void the warranty Visual and audible alerts were present before, during, or after the event

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Driver assistance · NJ

On July 30, 2025, my Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) randomly activated without any obstacles in front of the vehicle. Since then, this issue has happened numerous times while driving. When the incident occurs, the system flashes a “Brake” warning and suddenly applies the brakes while I am driving. This creates a serious risk of a rear-end collision, loss of control, or bodily harm. I had the vehicle inspected by an authorized Honda dealership on August 1, 2025 for this issue. Despite the inspection, the malfunction continues to occur. Although I have not yet been involved in an accident, this defect poses an ongoing safety hazard for myself, passengers, and others on the road. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this matter.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine · OK

When I turned my car on after work every warning light on the dashboard was on. A few of the warning messages read: Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Electric Power Steering System Problem. I first took it to Oreilly's to have the diagnostics ran. They told me the ignition coils needed to be replaces. We replaced the ignition coils and the spark plugs. The lights stayed off for about 3-4 days and then the same thing happened again. I took it to the dealership to be checked out and they told me that the head gasket had failed and coolant was leaking into the cylinder and causing the engine to overheat.

Filed Aug 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · NY

The Honda Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will randomly activate without any obstacles in front of the vehicle. Consequently, increasing the risk for car accidents, loss of control, and bodily harm. The car has not been inspected by a dealer or certified mechanic for this problem. However, the vehicle is available for inspection and repair as needed. While the incident occurs, the CMBS warning system will flash ‘Brake’.

Filed May 27, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 30,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brakes had erroneously activated, causing the vehicle the suddenly decelerate. During the failure, the "BRAKE" light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency Action Number: EA24002 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the investigation. Additionally, after starting the vehicle and driving forward or in reverse, there was a squeaking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure, and informed the contact that the failure was a common issue, but the manufacturer had not issued a service campaign to address the issue. The failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Driver assistance · NJ

I was driving along the NJ Turnpike at approximately 65 miles an hour when the brake warning light started flickering on and off and then the brakes engaged. It was quick, as if I had stepped hard on the pedal. No vehicle was in front of me, but I was driving through the express EZ Pass lane. Later that same day, it happened again, but this time it was only as if someone tapped on the brakes. The brake light flashed then too. To answer the above questions: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Collision Mitigation Braking System, and yes it is How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Someone could have rear-ended me Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The brake light warning flickered on before each instance

Filed Jul 2, 2024 · Driver assistance · GA

The collision mitigation braking system periodically activates when traveling on interstate highway when there is nothing in the roadway to cause this function to activate, causing the vehicle to stop suddenly then release which have caused potential rear-end accidents and possible injury to the driver r passenger due to the sudden stopping motion which propel the driver and passenger forward quickly without any warnings. Recently an warning error appeared to verify this malfunction. Which before 6/30 the warning error never appeared.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2020 Honda Accord collision warning

Is false forward collision warnings a common problem on the 2020 Honda Accord?

26 of 370 owner complaints about the 2020 Honda Accord (7%) mention false forward collision warnings. The model year with the most reports is 2018.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Honda Accord?

There are 0 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Honda Accord

Warning lights 37Check engine light 29Stalling 22Adaptive cruise 21Fuel pump 21Loss of power 20Jerking 17Phantom braking 16Lane assist 14Airbag light 13Misfire 12Overheating 8Won't shift 8Grinding brakes 6ABS 5

All model years of the Honda Accord

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