Introduction:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently launched a preliminary investigation into instances of unexpected brake activation in Honda Insights and Passports produced between 2019 and 2022. These allegations surface from 46 complaints received by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), a part of the NHTSA, that suggest these vehicles may have a defect causing so-called “phantom braking.” Three of these incidents resulted in a crash or fire, with two injuries reported. Honda, in response to the investigation, reiterated its commitment to customer safety and pledged cooperation with the NHTSA throughout the inquiry. This article will delve into the specifics of the investigation, Honda’s declared commitment to safety, and the uncertainties surrounding these allegations.
The NHTSA’s Investigation Into Phantom Braking
On March 7, the NHTSA initiated an investigation into Honda Insights and Passports manufactured between 2019 and 2022 in response to a series of complaints about unexpected brake activation. The ODI document shows that the NHTSA has received 46 complaints related to the issue, which have mentioned unexpected activation of brakes without any apparent reason. Out of these reported instances, three resulted in either a fire or a crash, and two of them led to injuries. An estimated total of 250,712 vehicles are part of this investigation.
Clarification from Honda
In response to the investigation, a Honda spokesperson clarified that the current investigation by the NHTSA is a preliminary evaluation, their first level of investigation, regarding reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking system in a limited number of vehicles. The spokesperson further emphasized Honda’s commitment to safety and stated the company has been in communication with the agency regarding the issue. The company will cooperate with the NHTSA during the investigation, and also progress their internal review of the available information.
Unresolved Variables
The initial investigation has not yet provided crucial information like the speed at which these incidents took place, their locations, or if the cruise control was active at the time. There is also no available information on why only the Passport and Insight models are involved in the investigation, and not other Honda models that are also equipped with automatic emergency braking systems.
Current Status of Honda Passport and Insight
The Passport model was reintroduced to the North American market in the 2019 model year, with sales peaking at 53,133 units in 2021 and later dropping to 41,306 units in 2022. As for the Honda Insight, it registered its best sales year in 2021 with 19,431 units sold, but was removed from Honda’s US lineup after 2022, registering 7,628 sales that year. Notably, the development of a new Passport model is currently underway despite the ongoing investigation.
Future Developments
As the investigation is in its preliminary stages, details regarding the cause, potential risks, and next steps remain uncertain. Should additional information become available, an update will be provided. For now, it’s crucial to note that no recall or definitive defect has been identified, and the focus remains on ensuring driver and passenger safety. Honda has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the NHTSA through the investigation process to swiftly address any confirmed issues.