981 of the
21,242 complaints filed about the Honda Cr-V
are about the braking system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
I am writing to formally log a product quality and safety complaint regarding my 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid.The Low-Speed Braking Control system frequently triggers severe, abrupt false-positive braking events in common driving environments, such as steep driveways, when recreational bike rack is attached and areas with minor vegetation. While the software allows the driver to disable this feature within the Driver Information Interface, the vehicle overrides driver autonomy by automatically resetting the system to "ON" every time the ignition is cycled.Forcing a driver to navigate multiple digital menus before every single trip to disable a system prone to false-positives is an ergonomic hazard. Unexpected, automated slam-braking while trying to merge or back into live traffic creates a distinct risk of a rear-end collision.Other major manufacturers (such as Toyota with PKSB) successfully balance safety compliance and driver utility by allowing user settings to persist after a restart, using a standard dashboard warning light instead.I request that Honda release a future software update to allow the Low-Speed Braking Control system configuration to remain in the user's last selected state (ON or OFF) between drive cycles. Please log this issue under my VIN in your corporate quality tracking database. This has reached a level of safety concern for me to consider trading in for a vehicle that allows safe functionality in a practical manner. This is not a feature for outdoor user on a vehicle marketed as a Sport model. Previous models of Honda had the option to switch this feature off and on as needed instead of the automatic reset during the start cycle.
NHTSA complaint #11758569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated and then turned off. In addition, the contact stated that two days later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes independently activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the brake message was displayed, causing the brakes to engage independently. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the wheels locked up unintendedly. The BRAKE warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the failure reoccurred with several unknown warning lights flickering. The contact stated that a local independent mechanic arrived on scene, and the failure codes were cleared. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brakes independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was firm while depressed and the tires squealed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,565.
NHTSA complaint #11754969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
All the safety lights came on on the dashboard suddenly the brake assist did not work. Honda tells me the brake servo is bad. This is a known defect as other 2020 crv hybrids were recalled for the same reason. It is a dangerous safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11754699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was proceeding through a green light and the “BRAKE” warning engaged when I was going through the intersection - there was nothing in front of me. I had no control of the braking system. Thankfully, there were no other cars on the road. This has happened about 4 other times, including a couple of times on the freeway.
NHTSA complaint #11751967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting multiple factory defects on my 2024 Honda CR-V, led by a severe, confirmed steering safety defect commonly known as 'sticky steering' where the steering wheel sticks/notches while driving and requires excessive force to correct, causing dangerous lane swerving. The authorized Honda dealership confirmed the steering gearbox has failed and requires replacement but the necessary parts are backordered indefinitely, forcing me to leave the unsafe vehicle at the dealership. Furthermore, the vehicle suffers from two additional major unresolved warranty issues recorded under the same Repair Order: a defective door weather stripping seal that has peeled off and detached from the door frame, compromising cabin weather sealing, and a strong, musty mold odor emitted from the AC system on low fan speeds that poses an air quality and health concern for occupants. Due to this unaddressed steering safety hazard, additional factory defects, and backordered parts, the vehicle remains out of service at the dealership (visited on 11 July, noticed that it's unsafe driving and returned the vehicle to service on 16 Jul) and no replacement car has been provided.
NHTSA complaint #11751626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have experienced four instances of my vehicle braking (two very extreme) when nothing was nearby or in front of my vehicle. Two of these happened when passing through an intersection, but no other vehicles were nearby. Fortunately, no one was following close behind during two occasions, or I would have been rear ended. I mentioned this today while having my car serviced at the dealership(White’s Auto Mall in Hopkinsville, KY) but they wanted to charge me 207.00 for an inspection, which I didn’t think I should be responsible for paying. I have researched and found “phantom braking” to be a problem in my vehicle make and model.
NHTSA complaint #11751183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the morning on 7/10/26 I was driving 30mph around a gentle turn and the brakes activated briefly. I also received a dashboard notification to brake. The weather conditions were sunny and probably around 80 degrees. There was no one in front of me and the closest car, in oncoming traffic was around 40 feet away. The safety risk was my car temporarily applied the brakes but did not stop completely. Luckily, the closet car behind me was ~30 feet behind me. Over the past 2 years I have received occasional dashboard notifications to brake, but the situation/driving conditions did not warrant the need to brake. This was the first time that the braking system actually applied the brake and slowed the car down.
NHTSA complaint #11749590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at about the speed of 45 miles/hr. the car abruptly braked in the middle of the road without any vehicle or object in front of me. It was a scary situation because if there had been a car behind me, my car would have been rear-ended. This problem has neither been reproduced nor investigated by anyone. I have, in the past, noticed that occasionally the brake light on the dashboard would flash for a second and go off but did not affect motion or speed. I have not received any warning messages regarding the vehicle's brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11749216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is the third time this vehicle has experienced wheel lock-up during braking. The first occurrence was over three months ago, while one driver was driving alone. The second occurrence was about one month ago, with a different driver, and a passenger was present who also witnessed the wheels locking; no collision resulted those two times. Both involved the wheels locking during braking and a loss of steering control. On the third occurrence, on June 25, while driving on the freeway, the vehicle ahead braked suddenly. The driver applied the brakes and they initially responded, allowing the driver to slow and avoid hitting the vehicle in front. Immediately afterward, the wheels locked up and the driver lost the ability to steer or maneuver. The anti-lock braking system did not prevent the wheels from locking. Because the vehicle could not be controlled, it was struck from behind by a following vehicle. This defect has now occurred three times over approximately three months, with two different drivers, and has resulted in a collision. It is a recurring, dangerous loss of vehicle control.
NHTSA complaint #11746756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While slowing down to enter a parking place and appling brakes car suddenly surged forward causing the car to jump a curb which could have caused an accident if there had been another car in the way
NHTSA complaint #11746387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the past two weeks, the automatic brake light came on when there was nothing in front of me. Then this past Thursday, I was in the middle lane approaching a stoplight that was about 500 ft. ahead of me, nothing was in front of me and the brake light came on and the car made a quick and hard stop. If anyone was behind me, they would not have been able to stop. Now I am very leery of driving my car, and I disable this feature so I feel safe transporting myself and my family.
NHTSA complaint #11745539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was pulling into a parking space at church. I had my foot lightly on the brake as the idle speed was sufficient to enter the parking space. When I pressed on the brake to stop the car completely the brakes failed and the car lurched forward about 10 ft and hit the church building damaging my front left bumper, buckling the hood and components behind the bumper.
NHTSA complaint #11745603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There doesn't have to be a vehicle or obstacle in front of the vehicle and the brake system will automatically apply. This is extremely dangerous as vehicles behind the CRV have no warning the brakes are being instantly applied on the highway and/or street roads. Practically slams on the brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11745439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on a straight, flat road with no other vehicles close in the front or to my rear the brakes came on without warning. I pulled over to the side of the road because it was really scary. Once I calmed down I continued driving without further incident. When I got to my grandsons school parking lot I called the Honda dealership that I purchased the car from and asked the service person if they had any issues like this. She stated that "the phantom breaking happened at times" and that it "was not a big deal". After looking on line one suggestion was to clean around the sensor in the Honda emblem and the windshield around the rear view mirror. I've owned the car since 2019 (original owner) and have 72K miles on the vehicle. The only recent problem was I had to replace the original battery on 05/31/26 which was done by a AAA representative. I've had no other issues to date, but this breaking issue if it persists seems like it could be very dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11744783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On February 26, 2026, at approximately 3:59 PM, the driver was traveling northbound on Yukon Territory Avenue in Manteca, CA at approximately 30 mph when the vehicle experienced a sudden brake failure. The driver attempted to pull over to the east curb of Yukon Territory Avenue but the vehicle inadvertently jumped the curb and collided with a city fire hydrant. Airbags deployed. The vehicle continued northbound and struck a city street light pole before stopping. No injuries were reported. The incident is consistent with the known NHTSA Engineering Analysis (opened February 2022, upgraded April 2024) covering 2017-2022 Honda CR-V vehicles for unexpected and unintended activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) causing sudden rapid deceleration without warning. This complaint is being filed to add to the existing federal record of 1,294 complaints already documented under this investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11744613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The engine was idling high, and the vehicle independently accelerated onto the curb. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle then independently accelerated and rolled backwards into a tree before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the crash had occurred in the residential parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer repaired the damage to the structure of the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 100,283.
NHTSA complaint #11744203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.