2018 Honda CR-V: brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking)

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Driver assistance · PA

2018 Honda CR-V had another phantom braking event this morning. While traveling on a local 4-lane road with 45-mph speed limit, the collision mitigation braking system activated with an actual hazard present and brought the vehicle to a complete stop, nearly resulting in a series read-end collision from the traffic behind the car. This created an immediate safety hazard and could have easily resulted in injuries or fatalities. The vehicle has experienced recurring phantom braking events and false activations of the emergency braking system. Because this has happened multiple times, we no longer have confidence that the system will behave predictably in normal driving conditions.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2018 Honda CR-V. The vehicle is experiencing repeated and unpredictable malfunctions involving the dashboard display, warning systems, and automatic braking features while the vehicle is in motion. While driving at normal speeds, the vehicle has braked on its own with no obstacle, vehicle, pedestrian, or hazard present in front of me. This sudden braking occurs without warning and creates a significant risk of being rear-ended or losing control of the vehicle. The braking feels as though the collision mitigation or safety system is activating incorrectly. At the same time or on separate occasions, the dashboard display begins glitching and flashing multiple warning indicators. These include:    •   Tire pressure warning lights appearing even though the tires are properly inflated    •   Sensor warning lights activating randomly    •   Alerts indicating systems such as collision warning, vehicle detection, or high-beam assist are malfunctioning    •   Messages stating safety features are not working when there is no apparent reason These warnings often appear simultaneously and disappear later without explanation. The infotainment or instrument display sometimes flickers or behaves erratically when this occurs. This issue is extremely concerning because it suggests a failure in the vehicle’s electrical system, sensors, or safety-assist technology. The unexpected braking alone poses a major safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds or in traffic, as it could cause a crash. In addition, the false warnings make it difficult to determine when the vehicle actually has a real problem that needs attention. The malfunction happens randomly and is not tied to weather conditions, road conditions, or driving behavior. It has occurred during normal driving with no obstacles present and no reason for the safety systems to activate. Because this issue involves unintended braking and malfunctioning driver

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while making a turn, the vehicle independently stopped. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the "BRAKE" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle functioned as intended. The contact stated that the phantom braking failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving over a bridge, the vehicle independently stopped suddenly with warning lights illuminated, and the "BRAKE" message was displayed. The vehicle resumed normal driving operation. Most recently, while driving over a speed bump, the vehicle independently stopped suddenly and then operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Brakes · FL

my 2018 honda crv exl suddenly braked on me almost to a complete stop while i was driving i did have the lane keep assist and i was going like 50 there was a pick up truck on my right side but nothing that  it was coming tours me this was my first time and now im afraid to even drive my crv I think it was more of a phantom braking

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · GA

To Whom It May Concern: ​I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a serious and recurring safety defect in my 2018 Honda CR-V EX, VIN# [XXX] . I have experienced at least four incidents within the last two months involving both sudden, unintended braking and intermittent steering lock-ups. These are not isolated events and pose a significant risk to the safety of myself and other motorists. ​The sudden braking issue, often referred to as "phantom braking," occurs when the vehicle's Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activates without any obstacle or danger present. The car abruptly comes to a full stop, without warning, on a clear road. This is extremely dangerous and has nearly caused multiple rear-end collisions. ​In addition to the braking problem, the steering has also become intermittently stuck. This happens without warning and makes it difficult to turn the wheel, which could lead to a loss of control, especially at higher speeds or on curves. ​I have already reported these issues to two authorized Honda dealerships: ​Curry Honda in Atlanta, Georgia ​Honda AutoNation in Columbus, Georgia ​On each occasion, the dealerships have been unable to replicate the problem and have told me they cannot find anything wrong. Despite their inability to diagnose the issue, the problems are very real and continue to happen. ​These defects are not just an inconvenience; they are serious safety hazards that could lead to a crash. I am concerned that if this problem is happening to my vehicle, it may be affecting other 2018 Honda CR-V owners as well. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate this matter thoroughly to prevent potential accidents and injuries. ​Please contact me if you require any additional information. ​Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 23, 2025 · Driver assistance · NJ

Phantom braking problem. On a sunny day, I was driving 25:mph on a street that was being repaired. A steel plate was covering a hole. The system activated emergency braking, slamming on the brakes and flashing "brake" and beeping.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NJ

Car was not able to shift into lower gears. Car would not accelerate when put in drive and drive did not illuminate on the dash. Gearshift was slipping between neutral and drive. mechanic got code of U3003–16. And U 04168. On a separate couple of occasions, the emergency brake system was activated when nothing was in the road

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MA

Driving on a regular paved road following the speed limit (35 miles per hour) when the automatic emergency braking system engaged randomly; the car speed went from 35 miles to a near and sudden stop and almost caused a rear-end collision. Phantom braking. This is the second time this has happened with no visible reason in terms of road conditions or flying birds, blowing trash, etc. that could explain this. I am afraid to drive the car out of fear that Phantom Braking will cause an accident/potential injuries. I cannot imagine this happening on a freeway at higher speed—distater. I was driving on a viaduct (on the top level with car traffic below and on the first occasion, with a river running below). Could it be that the safety features such as camera sensors are misfiring and putting people in real danger. It makes no sense for safety features such as are making driving more dangerous than without them. I am going to have to spend $250 for Honda mechanic to diagnose and who knows how much to repair it, but it is clearly an engineering/mechanical problem created by Honda. This vehicle also fewer than 40K miles on it despite being a 2018 model. Please, please require Honda to issue a recall before something tragic happens.

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NC

On several occasions my automatic emergency braking has engaged when there is no car in front of me. Typically this happens when another car is in the left turn lane and my car is passing it. The other vehicle is completely in the other lane and I am in my lane. There is no visible obstruction to my vehicle's path. This posses a significant damage of me being rear ended by any car following too closely to my car. This has happened on numerous occasions.

Filed Dec 5, 2024 · Driver assistance · NY

I was traveling along a four lane, about 45 MPH and the collision braking system engaged for no reason. There was no car or obstacle in front of me, and thankfully, no vehicles following closely behind me. The system disengaged within a few seconds and then I was able to accelerate forward. This has happened twice. It is frightening to think may have occurred if there were cars ahead or behind me. The first time it happened when the car had about 15,000 on it. The second time was this summer, and the car had about 52,000. I am very concerned about this issue, and I am very worried that the braking will engage and there will be a resulting accident.

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Driver assistance · NM

Phantom braking episode with no reason, no collision but driver was pretty shaken up travelling at 80km to 0km. Second time this has happened on this vehicle.

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Driver assistance · MN

In August of 2023 I was trying to accelerate after getting off a clover ramp and I was going about 10-15mph when my car suddenly felt like it slammed on the brakes and came to a stop. There were no warning lights on the dash and no vehicles or obstacles around for it to brake on its own. I had to reapply my foot to the gas again and again for my vehicle to move.