On September 17, 2026 at approximately 8:00 a.m. I was driving my 2021 Honda civic Lx with my children in the vehicle when multiple warning lights and system malfunction messages suddenly appeared on the dash board. The vehicle appeared to experience an electrical malfunction/ reset while still driving and I suddenly lost normal power- steering assistance. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and control while the vehicle was moving.I was able to call for assistance and when jumper cables were hooked on to battery underneath the vehicles hood the vehicle engine was able to restart, then was able to get the vehicle home without a collision or injury. The sudden loss of steering assistance created a serious safety risk to me, my children and others on the road. I photographed multiple warnings displayed on the dash panel, including Electric Parking break problem and collision mitigation system problem. This vehicle has a documented history of electrical/ mechanical concerns and prior repairs, including battery and alternator replacement. The exact cause of this most recent failure is currently UNKNOWN. American Honda motor co. has also opened a case #16640343 regarding this incident. I am reporting this to the federal safety agency due to the sudden loss of power- steering assistance occured while the vehicle was actively being driven and could have resulted in a collision.
2021 Honda Civic: false forward collision warnings
7 of the 148 complaints about the 2021 Honda Civic describe false forward collision warnings.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 0
False forward collision warnings by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at approximately 70 MPH, and changing lanes, the Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking system inadvertently activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
While driving on a city street at about 25 to 30 MPH with no cars or people in front of me and on a clear day, my Civic's Collision Mitigation Braking System flashed "Brakes" on my heads up display and at the same time, it forcefully applied the brakes without me touching the brake pedal. This has happened to me at least twice in six weeks. In both instances, I tried to press on the gas pedal, but it did not let up on the brakes right away. I was nearly rear-ended by other cars both times, putting me and others at risk. I took the car to the dealership, and they told me they couldn't find any issues or codes, nor could they replicate the problem.
Forward collision warning and braking has falsely activated with no vehicles ahead of car. First, "BRAKE" warning flashed for no reason while driving on a three lane road on Virginia Rt 286 and Rt 50 interchange. Second, driving in right lane, vehicle ahead was taking exit and was clear of my path, car flashed BRAKE warning, then started braking. Third, while using Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on highway, a passing car changed lanes into my lane. Due to distance, a car length, and smaller speed difference, emergency brakes activated. However, if a passing car operating at a faster speed (>5 mph est.) the car won't brake. The third problem is annoying as it creates an unsafe situation for people following too close (which they should not). Additionally, my brain is processing the situation faster than the HONDA SENSE can, Honda needs to expand their recall from Accord, CR-V, and Pilot to ALL vehicles with HONDA SENSE.
I experienced a false positive forward collision alert warning and subsequent, brief automatic emergency braking during two (2) episodes. Fortunately, my safety nor any surrounding motorists' safety was not at risk. The problem was not reproduced or confirmed by the dealer though my car ADAS was inspected by them. Of the five episodes, I only recorded the last three episodes which did not include an automatic emergency braking component. The episodes only feature the collision warning alert. They are as follow: 02/21/2022, 1930; 02/22/2022, 0805; and 04/01/2022, 0810.
Driving home from work. Cruise set at 73mph. I had just passed another car and was about 600 yrd in front of them on the PKWY, when the car just started breaking and ding, I get multiple warnings on the dash as I'm trying to get out of the way of other vehicles. the car drove normal the next 5 miles under my control but the dash is still lit with a Collision Mitigation system problem, Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Road Departure Mitigations system problem, Drive Carefully systems initializing problem, Brakes system light. I'll note that there was not bad weather, there was no rain or snow. it was 80F. There was no impact, accident, etc.
I was driving at 55 mph on a clear day with no vehicles or other obstacles in front of my car when the collision mitigation braking system (cmbs) activated and stopped the car suddenly.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2021 Honda Civic collision warning
Is false forward collision warnings a common problem on the 2021 Honda Civic?
7 of 148 owner complaints about the 2021 Honda Civic (5%) mention false forward collision warnings. The model year with the most reports is 2022.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Honda Civic?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Honda Civic
Jerking 15Adaptive cruise 13Lane assist 6Power steering loss 6
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