Multiple lawsuits allege that the autonomous brakes and other driver assistive systems that comprise Honda Sensing contain defects that lead to malfunctions in many Honda vehicles.
Specifically, the lawsuit targets 2017–2018 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with Honda Sensing, a technology suite that includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping systems and an autonomous braking system called Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS).
The CMBS is intended to reduce the risk of a frontal crash by using cameras and radar technology to monitor the distance and speed of objects in front of the vehicle. The system is supposed to alert the driver to obstacles and, if the driver cannot react in time, apply the brakes to reduce the chance of a crash.
A system like this is supposed to help increase safety on the road, but the alleged defects in the system have the opposite effect. Drivers represented in the complaint allege that their 2017–2018 Honda Accord vehicles shudder and jerk, experience unexpected stops, and suddenly lose speed because the CMBS engages the brakes at random.
Often, this phantom braking allegedly occurs when nothing was in front of the vehicle and the driver did not press the brake. Drivers have notes that, when this occurs, the CMBS warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
A system intended to prevent the vehicle from a front-end crash allegedly has defects that make the vehicle at greater risk of rear-end collisions, particularly on busy roads or highways. The lawsuit claims that Honda knew about the defect since at least 2016, through pre-production testing and data, production data, consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing and repairs associated with consumer complaints and the alleged defect.
Despite its alleged knowledge, Honda had not issued a recall for these faulty Honda Accord vehicles at the time the complaint was filed. Honda allegedly hasn’t issued repairs or replacements that would fix the defect or offered to reimburse consumers for costs related to the braking problem.
If you have a Honda vehicle equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, you may be part of at least one of several class actions filed against Honda. If you are automatically included in these lawsuits, you may need to opt out before certain deadlines in order to retain your right to pursue an individual lemon law case.
If you have any questions regarding your Honda vehicle and California Lemon Law rights, fill out our consultation form below or call us at 877-217-7676. You do not want to pursue a lemon law claim alone. Our California lemon law attorneys are equipped to help you throughout this legal process.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2020–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
