Honda Wins Eight-Year Phantom Braking Lawsuit Over CR-V and Accord Models

After more than eight years of legal proceedings, Honda has secured a favorable verdict in a U.S. trial addressing allegations of phantom braking in its CR-V and Accord models. The automaker argued that its Collision Mitigation system, though not flawless, was not defective and remained a critical safety feature.

Case Background and Timeline

The lawsuit originated in mid-2018, when Honda was first sued over claims that several driver assistance features—including Collision Mitigation Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, and Road Departure Mitigation—could trigger unexpected braking events.

Initially, the lawsuit targeted only 2017 Honda CR-V models. However, as additional class action lawsuits emerged over the years, the scope expanded to include other models. Eventually, these cases were consolidated into a single lawsuit, with the investigation focusing specifically on the Collision Mitigation Braking Systems in the following vehicles:

• 2017–2019 Honda CR-V
• 2018–2020 Honda Accord

Honda’s Defense and Jury Verdict

In court, Honda acknowledged that its system was not perfect but maintained that imperfection alone did not constitute a legal defect. The company emphasized the system’s role in reducing rear-end collisions and noted that owner’s manuals for both models clearly outlined its limitations.

The jury ultimately ruled in Honda’s favor, according to CarComplaints. In a statement, American Honda said:

“We are committed to the safety and satisfaction of our customers, and we applaud the jury’s decision. During the trial, clear evidence was presented that the allegations in this lawsuit did not reflect the common real-world performance of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) in Honda vehicles, and this result is consistent with those facts.”

Potential Consequences of an Adverse Verdict

Had the verdict gone against Honda, the automaker could have faced significant financial liability, including potential payouts to plaintiffs and owners of affected vehicles, with costs potentially reaching millions of dollars.