I had an incident recently that makes me think that there is a real issue with the collision avoidance system recognizing "unusual" objects. I was driving at night on a 75 mph dual lane highway. I had cruise control with collision avoidance engaged. A large truck had pulled onto the highway in front of me and was slow to accelerate. I assumed that my cruise control would immediately slow my vehicle down but it didn't! By the time I realized that it wasn't going to do that, I was a lot closer to the truck than I wanted to be. The truck was a "high off the ground" kind of rig and I wonder if the collision avoidance was literally looking under it. I agree that the driver is ultimately responsible for his vehicle but IMO it is scary if a warning system doesn't do its job. The official 2025 Honda CR-V owner's manual, in the section titled Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow, lists several situations in which the system may fail to detect a vehicle correctly. Two of those limitations are especially relevant to my experience: - A vehicle ahead has an unusual shape. - The minimum ground clearance of a vehicle ahead is extremely high. Honda also warns that detection can be compromised when the speed difference between my vehicle and the vehicle ahead is very large. We were able to avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of us, but only because we noticed that we were rapidly closing on the vehicle in front of us.
2025 Honda CR-V: false forward collision warnings
11 of the 271 complaints about the 2025 Honda CR-V describe false forward collision warnings.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 0
False forward collision warnings by model year
What owners say
COMPONENTS: Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Keeping Support, Electronic Power Steering. INCIDENT: On 05/12/2026, upon vehicle startup, a total failure of the driver-assist safety suite occurred. Dashboard indicators displayed malfunctions for: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKAS), and a "Steering Wheel Malfunction" warning. The vehicle was inspected at Greeley Honda on the same day (Mileage: ~56k). The dealership confirmed the front radar sensor, located behind the emblem, is defective. Despite no evidence of external impact or damage, the dealership quoted $3,900 for a total replacement of the grille, emblem, and sensor. SAFETY RISK: The failure has completely disabled the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), removing the vehicle's ability to provide emergency autonomous braking. The accompanying "Steering Wheel Malfunction" indicates an error in the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) torque sensor or LKAS integration, which creates a risk of unpredictable steering assistance. These failures, combined with a cascade of distracting warning lights, pose an unreasonable safety risk during operation. REMEDY SOUGHT: The dealership failed to explain the internal cause of failure or why a cosmetic grille replacement is required to fix a safety sensor. I am seeking a manufacturing investigation. American Honda has not offered a remedy for this critical safety component failure. This appears to be a premature failure of a non-wear item that renders primary safety systems inoperable. I have consented to share my contact information with the manufacturer to facilitate a resolution.
On [XXX] I was stopped in the red light behind a car in the New York City suddenly my car moved I applied the brake hard but almost hit the car in front. The message in the dashboard were -Depress brake pedal apply parking brake,brake system problem brake performance may be reduced,brake hold system problem apply brake when stopped,vechile stability assist system problem reduce traction and handling,Hill decent control system problem apply brake when descending,adaptive cruise control system problem,collision mitigation braking system problem,low speed braking control problem.I turned off the car and start again and it worked.This was the first time I was able to take the pictures it happened before as well but I was unable to take picture. After that I took the car to Hillside honda service center I showed them the message of the dashboard which was on my phone. The car was in the service center for two days they said that my car was fine at that time the message of the dashboard was only in my phone.On month of Sep and Oct I took the car again to the Hillside Honda service center with same issue and after staying two days in the service center they said my car was fine.After that I press braking hold and continued my work.On [XXX] and [XXX] same problem occurred I was able to take pictures.Beginning of Nov I was driving at the highway suddenly the message pops up I was sure that the brake wouldn’t work, Push the emergency lights,changed the lane and I was lucky that there was a empty space on the corner of the highway. I applied the brake but the car stopped almost 10- 15 meters ahead. I turned off the car there was no customer after 5 minutes when I start the car everything was fine.On [XXX] I was driving at the highway with a customer same message pops up in the dashboard press the emergency light,changed the lane and again found a empty space at the side of the Highway. This time also I was able to take the picture. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased the 2025 vehicle in September of 2025. The forward collision warning has never worked properly and will kick out disabling the cruise control. I have brought this issue up at least 3 times at the Honda Dealer I purchased it from (Verne Eide, Sioux Falls, SD). Each time I was told it this is a "known issue" and there is no fix for it. My only remedy was to disable the forward collision warning in order to be able to use the cruise control. My warranty expires in 6000 miles but they say they can't fix it. The dealer told me today that Honda is aware of the problem but has no fix for it. How is a know safety feature that does not work not considered a safety issue and a recall ordered? Honda has obviously chosen not to address this issue.
While driving my 2025 Honda CR-V EX-L on October 3, 2025, at approximately 8:00 AM PST, the automatic emergency braking system (Collision Mitigation Braking System) activated unexpectedly. There were no vehicles in front or behind me, and road conditions were normal. The sudden braking could have caused a rear-end collision if another vehicle had been nearby. This incident raises serious safety concerns. I have learned that similar issues have been reported by other Honda owners. I am requesting an investigation into this malfunction and whether a recall or software update is necessary.
On April 7, 2025, we bought a new 2025 Honda CRV EX. After driving it for a few weeks, we noticed that the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) is not functioning. And another safety feature, the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system is visual only (not audible) and appears only when our vehicle is 5-6 feet from a vehicle in front. Obviously, this distance is insufficient to properly react in order to avoid an accident. According to the car manual, “the CMBS system can assist when it determines there is a possibility of your vehicle colliding with another vehicle in front…an oncoming vehicle in front, a pedestrian, or someone riding a bicycle. CMBS is designed to alert you when the potential for a collision is determined, as well as assist in reducing speed, avoiding collisions, and reducing collision severity.” With regard to the non-functioning CMBS, we brought the car back to the dealer several times to check on the lack of this system, but their service department could not detect the CMBS system either. They tested other new Honda CRV EX models and even in those cars they could not detect the CMBS system. On June 16, 2025 (received June 18), we sent a letter to Honda headquarters (see attached) asking their assistance in addressing this deficiency. We followed up with 2 phone calls on July 25 and August 13. Unfortunately, to no avail. No response received. From a safety point of view, we are concerned by the lack of the CMBS feature as well as the short distance warning of the FCW system.
Twice in the last week while driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control on the car has gone into the "collision mitigation" mode where the brakes engage with no warning but there was nothing in front of the car to cause this to happen. Both times were going up a small hill and on the other side of the hill was a police cruiser so we presume there was something (RADAR?) that the police were using that caused the car to sense we were about to collide. These situations are a shock to the driver and passengers, and would be worse if the car following us were to rear end us! The radar conflicts should be nothing new to the NHSTA. See the document at [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am filing a formal complaint regarding the safety systems on my 2025 Honda CR-V EX-L, particularly the overly aggressive Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) and intrusive Lane Keep Assist. While driving my children to school, my CR-V violently slammed the brakes because a scooter was creeping toward an intersection — clearly not entering traffic. The rider and I made eye contact, fully aware of each other, and there was an open left lane for evasive action if needed (it wasn't). Despite my clear judgment, the CMBS intervened, causing a violent deceleration that launched objects inside the vehicle, scared everyone, and increased the risk of a rear-end collision. I am shocked that Honda eliminated the hardware button to quickly disable CMBS. Now drivers must perform a multi-step procedure every time the vehicle starts — an unreasonable and unsafe burden. I previously owned a 2014 Accord and was a loyal, satisfied customer. I love nearly everything else about the CR-V, but these flawed "safety" systems are a potential deal-breaker. Sudden deceleration can cause concussions and greatly increase the chance of secondary accidents. Lane Keep Assist has created additional dangers. When I move slightly within my lane to create space from a semi-truck, the system unnecessarily corrects my steering. This is distracting and unsafe. Good drivers adjust dynamically, but these systems undermine good judgment rather than enhancing safety. Technology that overrides competent drivers is reckless, not "intelligent." I request two changes: (1) Reinstate a hardware button to easily disable automatic emergency braking, and (2) Allow CMBS and Lane Keep Assist settings to persist across drives. Honda must redesign these systems with real-world driving in mind. Features that destroy driver trust are dangerous, not protective. I am deeply disappointed, frustrated, and have lost trust in my CR-V — a serious failure for a brand I once admired.
While driving on local roads to break in the engine, the car stalled from fifty miles per hour to five miles per hour for about five seconds at mile approximately 100 and 650. No cross traffic or pedestrians. The car detected and warned another car more than three hundred feet away at approximately five hundred miles and nine out of ten times fails to recognize a car a few feet away. The master mechanic did a ride-along and witnessed the Collision Mitigation System failure. Offered ‘re-aim’ as a solution. A week later, he confirmed that he did not expect it to fix it. It was to satisfy me. The service manager repeated the same a week later that the fix was to go through ‘motion’. The dealer is relying on computer codes and ignoring the human observation of the problem during the ride-along. The master mechanic suggested that if there should be a rear-end collision, it would be the fault of the car behind. That is not a risk I like to take with my daughter on a highway. The car sees obstacles that are not present and fails to see the obstacles that are a few feet away.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system was activated, and the vehicle decelerated to approximately 10-20 MPH without another vehicle being nearby. The failure had occurred twice in one week. The contact stated that on both occasions, the vehicle was able to accelerate as needed seconds after the failure had occurred. The contact became aware online that the failure was a known issue, and it was advised that the Forward Collision Avoidance system should be deactivated to prevent the failure from reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer stated that the system would be calibrated to avoid the failure from reoccurring. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
Vehicle has under 5000 miles. On 4 separate drives, the warning light came on for the COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM. The warning message told me to go to the dealer. The second time it came on the car made a false brake (there was no car in front of me) I have taken it to the dealer twice and left it with them. The first time they could not find anything wrong and told me to come back if it happened again. The second time they said my sensors may have been dirty and that's why they came on. The third and fourth time my sensors are clean and the message still appeared. I am worried that The automatic braking system can cause an accident by breaking when it shouldn't.
Service bulletins that may apply
- When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is activated while driving, customers may experience...
- The LKAS warning light comes on when driving in reverse due to possible false detection logic occurred in...
- When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is activated while driving, customers may experience...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2025 Honda CR-V collision warning
Is false forward collision warnings a common problem on the 2025 Honda CR-V?
11 of 271 owner complaints about the 2025 Honda CR-V (4%) mention false forward collision warnings. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2025 Honda CR-V?
There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2025 Honda CR-V
Sunroof shattered 16Wipers 16Adaptive cruise 12Lane assist 9Sudden acceleration 9Steering noise 7No deployment 6Jerking 6Backup camera 5Check engine light 5Fuel pump 5Loss of power 5Won't shift 5
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