Honda Pilot phantom braking problems

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · OH

My 2022 Honda Pilot Black Edition (VIN [XXX], 62,900 miles) has multiple intermittent safety‑critical failures involving the transmission, acceleration, adaptive cruise control, and HVAC blower. These issues occur without warning and without diagnostic trouble codes. Transmission/Acceleration Failure: Most recent incident was XXX on Highway 71 during heavy traffic. The vehicle twice experienced rapid deceleration with no ability to reach a safety stop. RPM dropped below 1000, then spiked to 6,000–8,000 while the vehicle continued to lose speed. Acceleration returned only after several seconds. This also occurs during highway merging and uphill acceleration. Additionally, when disengaging cruise control and immediately pressing the accelerator, the vehicle loses speed, RPM drops abnormally low, then spikes before power returns. Adaptive Cruise Control/Honda Sensing Failure: On XXX the vehicle rapidly decelerated when a semi‑truck was beside me, despite no vehicle ahead. The week prior, while driving several states away, setting cruise at 70 mph caused sudden deceleration and cruise resetting itself to ~54 mph. These events resemble phantom braking and radar mis‑targeting. HVAC Blower Failure: During a long multi‑state trip the week prior, the AC blower (speed 3–4) intermittently stopped blowing for several seconds, then resumed at the same speed with no change to the display. These failures affect powertrain, forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control, electrical systems, and cabin equipment. The dealership (Roush Honda, Westerville OH) cannot replicate the issues and reports no stored codes. These defects pose significant safety risks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Driver assistance · MO

Additional Comments for Complaint #11750912:I am uploading photographic evidence of severe material delamination on my vehicle's front radar emblem shield (Part #71125-TG7-A51) [71125-TG7-A51].This manufacturing defect caused a critical safety failure: my vehicle recently executed a sudden, violent phantom braking event on the highway with absolutely no prior warning lights or error codes on the dashboard. The peeling layers and air bubbles on the emblem physically refracted the radar signals, creating a false target that locked the brakes and nearly caused a severe rear-end collision.While I was driving alone during this specific incident, this car is my primary family vehicle used daily to transport my wife and my three young children. I am now genuinely terrified to drive my family in this vehicle and must manually turn off the CMBS system every time I start the car to protect them. American Honda Corporate (Case #16495852) has formally refused to address this active braking hazard, deflecting the issue by focusing only on unrelated radio glitches.I request a federal safety investigation into Honda’s radar emblem material degradation, as it directly compromises collision-mitigation systems without triggering automated dashboard fault alerts, putting families and young children at immediate risk.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MO

VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT - RECALL REPAIR FAILURE AND CMBS MALFUNCTION I am filing a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding two critical defects on my vehicle (VIN: [XXX]) and the refusal of American Honda Motor Co. to address them under Corporate Case #XXX. 1. CRITICAL SAFETY HAZARD (PHANTOM BRAKING): The vehicle's Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) / Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is experiencing severe and dangerous malfunctions. While driving at highway speeds through construction zones with absolutely zero obstacles, vehicles, or pedestrians ahead, the vehicle violently and unpredictably slams on the brakes by itself. This unprovoked emergency braking creates an immediate and extreme risk of a catastrophic rear-end collision on the highway. 2. FEDERAL SAFETY RECALL REPAIR FAILURE (CAMPAIGN ZEM): The vehicle's instrument cluster, infotainment display screen, backup camera, and audio system repeatedly go completely black and reset while driving, disabling all driver visibility of vehicle speed, safety alerts, backup assist, and vital indicators. While the federal safety agency records indicate that the ZEM Recall Campaign was previously logged as "completed" on this VIN, the defect is fully active. This constitutes an official federal recall repair failure. The original safety hazard remains unresolved. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE & REFUSAL: American Honda Corporate was formally notified of both issues under Case #XXX. Corporate responded by completely ignoring the severe phantom braking defect and refused to authorize a safety diagnostic. Furthermore, they used the administrative status of the closed ZEM recall to deny any responsibility for the ongoing screen, camera, and audio failure. American Honda is actively forcing me to drive a vehicle with a failed safety recall repair and a defective autonomous braking system unless I pay out-of-pocket diagnostic fees to the dealer (Dave Mungenast St. Louis Honda). I request an immediate federal investiga INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Driver assistance, Seat belts · AZ

When driving on the highway vehicle suddwnly brakes on its own when it detects cars on side lane not directly in front of me creating a noticeable slowdown being somewhat unsafe. The wiper blades dont come up they hit the hood of the car which i believe shouldnt be this way. The seatbelt sensors go off in back row even if no one unbuckles then the car starts making loud noise to let you know and a side unbuckled light comes on and also the x marking which seat but it continues making loud beeping noise that can cause distraction and even an accident i drove 45 minutes with it doing this to me on and off mostly on the only way to get it to stop is if someone doesnt sit on marked spot. So now i dont know if this will happen on all seats as for now its obly on the third row passenger right side seat. I have about 3 weeksnoticing this but it was less now its more so i made apptment to take im to get checked but the sound is very anboying and distracting

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Driver assistance · MI

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) experienced unprovoked phantom braking events. Event 1: Driving 25mph in traffic; system falsely targeted a low-speed mobility power scooter on an adjacent sidewalk. Event 2: Abrupt, unprovoked hard braking at 70mph on an open highway with no forward obstacles, creating an immediate rear-end hazard from trailing traffic.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NV

“The vehicle experiences phantom braking while driving, where the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activates without warning even when there are no vehicles or objects in front of me. The vehicle suddenly brakes on its own, creating a major safety hazard and risk of rear-end collisions. The issue has happened multiple times during normal driving at different speeds. Warning lights related to the collision mitigation system and passenger airbag system have appeared intermittently. The blind spot monitoring system has also failed to properly detect nearby vehicles at times. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealership/service department and remained there for an extended period for inspection and attempted repairs, but the problem was not fully corrected. After getting the vehicle back, the same symptoms and braking issues continued. This issue puts myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk because the vehicle may suddenly brake unexpectedly in traffic.

Filed May 4, 2026 · Brakes · IN

The vehicle's Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) is triggering 'phantom braking' at 50mph when there are no vehicles or hazards ahead. This occurs consistently on roads with dark asphalt patches/crack sealant. The braking is severe enough to cause a potential rear-end collision. I have reported this to Honda Corporate (Case #16338446) and have an appointment with a dealer, but the issue persists and is a major safety risk for my family.

Filed Feb 1, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

Incident Description: While traveling at 45 mph with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) active, the vehicle experienced a "phantom braking" event triggered by high-contrast shadows on the roadway. The Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) incorrectly identified a shadow as a physical obstacle and abruptly applied the brakes in a clear path of travel. I was forced to manually override the system by applying the accelerator to prevent a potential rear-end collision. Safety Risk & Technical Context: This defect is repeatable under specific lighting conditions and occurs across multiple speed intervals (35–45 mph). I believe this incident is directly related to the ongoing the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis (EA24002) regarding inadvertent AEB activations. Furthermore, recent Service Bulletins (such as MC-11024251-0001) regarding Front View Camera and Radar Sensor updates suggest a known failure in the system's ability to process high-contrast environmental data. Conclusion: My local dealership failed to investigate the complaint. The sudden, unexpected deceleration poses a severe safety risk to the vehicle's occupants and following traffic. I request that the federal safety agency formally notify Honda of America regarding this recurring ADAS failure to ensure that my VIN is prioritized for the necessary sensor alignment and software enhancements.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · SC

While driving on U.S Highway 521 in South Carolina, the vehicle experienced SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED BRAKING AND VIOLENT SHAKING even though there were no cars or obstacles directly in front of me. The sensation was so strong it felt as if the car had been rear-ended, but there was no impact. The issue has happened MULTIPLE TIMES since I purchased the vehicle new in 2023. Each time, traffic was flowing normally, and no immediate hazard was present. The closest car in front of me was several car lenghts away, yet the PILOT suddenly braked on its own. The problem appears to be linked to the COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM or related driver-assist sensors, which seem to be misreading conditions and triggering false emergency braking. This defect creates a serious SAFETY HAZARD. The abrupt, forceful braking puts me and my family at risk of being rear-ended by following vehicles. It has also caused panic and near-miss incidents in traffic. I am filling this complaint to ensure it is formally documented and investigated as SAFETY DEFECT. This is a serious risk to DRIVER AND PASSENGERS and could lead to accidents. I am requesting the federal safety agency to investigate whether this defect affects other HONDA PILOT vehicles.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

The vehicle intermittently thinks it is about to be involved with a collision. It illuminates the brake warning lights and slams on the brakes on its own and brings the car to a complete stop. We almost got rear ended by a semi truck the first time this happened and we were on a highway. Traffic had to take evasive action to prevent an accident. Honda is aware of this issue and admits their is a problem and has informed us their is no fix for it yet. Honda case # [XXX] and Joel is our point of contact at the Honda outreach program. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) The vehicle is unsafe to drive and is going to get us hurt or killed or others as well. The vehicle has only 1,700 miles on it and is brand new. The last incident timeframe is listed below but it has happened quite a few times with no traffic present and clear roads.