Which Honda CR-V years have the most automatic braking complaints?

The 2018 and 2019 model years have the most, with 243 and 202 complaints. The 2020 and 2021 years have about 60 each. Newer years show fewer, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so a low count is not proof of a fix.

Is it safe to drive a CR-V with phantom braking?

The main risk is being rear-ended after a sudden stop with nothing ahead. Owners report crashes, whiplash, and neck and back injuries. Some turn the feature off. If the car brakes on its own, have it inspected before relying on it in traffic.

Is there a recall for CR-V automatic emergency braking problems?

Federal recall records list no recalls in this area for the CR-V. Some owners say a recall is needed, but that is their opinion and not a recall record. Check the VIN with the manufacturer or the federal recall lookup before buying.

What does it cost to fix CR-V phantom braking?

Owners give no repair prices for the braking fault. Many leave the dealer with no repair because the problem could not be reproduced. Some had sensors recalibrated, and others had a camera or body control module replaced, with the fault sometimes returning.

Why does my CR-V brake for no reason?

Owners link it to steel road plates, railroad tracks, dips, shadows, and passing trucks. The data does not give a confirmed cause. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. Note the speed, location, and warnings each time, and take that record to the dealer.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Honda CR-V Automatic Emergency Braking Problems

Honda CR-V automatic emergency braking can slam on the brakes with nothing ahead, most often in 2018 and 2019 models, and rear-end crashes follow.

Owner complaints: 656
Share of all complaints: 13%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 13 / 0 / 31
Related recalls: 0

CR-V automatic emergency braking complaints by model year

The 2018 and 2019 model years have by far the most complaints in this area, with 243 and 202. Their rates per 10,000 sold are also the highest. The 2020 and 2021 years each have about 60 complaints, and 2022 has 38. The 2023 through 2025 years show far fewer, from 11 to 25, and 2026 shows none. Those newer cars have had less time on the road to collect complaints, so low counts do not prove they are free of the problem. Owners of 2024 and 2025 models still describe phantom braking.

2018
243 · 6.4/10k sold
2019
202 · 5.3/10k sold
2020
59 · 1.8/10k sold
2021
66 · 1.8/10k sold
2022
38 · 1.6/10k sold
2023
12 · 0.3/10k sold
2024
25 · 0.6/10k sold
2025
11 · 0.3/10k sold
2026
0 · 0/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under forward collision avoidance. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

The main complaint is phantom braking. Owners say the CR-V brakes hard, sometimes to a full stop, when the road ahead is empty. A red or orange BRAKE warning usually flashes at the same moment, so there is no time to react. Reported triggers include steel road plates, railroad tracks, dips, tree shadows, and passing trucks. Some owners also see every dashboard warning light come on at once while driver assist features shut off.

The danger is the car behind you. Owners describe following drivers swerving, braking hard, or hitting them. Across the model years there are 13 crash reports in this area and no fires. Injuries are mostly neck, back, and whiplash from the sudden stop. A smaller group reports the opposite failure, where the car did not brake or warn before hitting a stopped vehicle. The cars generally stay drivable, but some owners turn the feature off because they no longer trust it. In 2023 models, failed cameras or radar units shut down several assist features at once, and replacement parts took weeks or months.

Symptoms owners report

Hard braking on an empty road

The car brakes sharply with nothing ahead, at speeds from under 15 mph to highway speed. A BRAKE warning flashes and often beeps. Owners report it over metal plates, railroad tracks, and under tree shadows. Many say it has happened several times.

Braking at very low speed

Some owners report the brakes grabbing at parking-lot speeds or at a few mph. One driver hit a wall at 5 to 7 mph. Another pressed the accelerator at 5 mph and the car would not move, and the car behind hit them.

Dashboard lit up like a tree

Every system warning comes on at once and the driver assist features go off. One owner reports about 15 episodes in two years. Another cleared it by disconnecting the battery but was told it can return. Dealers often cannot reproduce it.

No braking when it is needed

A few owners report the car did not warn or brake before hitting a stopped vehicle, including one 2020 and one 2021 crash. A 2025 owner says the collision warning never alerts at all.

Camera, radar, or sensor shutdowns

A failed front camera or radar can turn off adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and collision braking together. Snow on the front emblem can do the same until the area is cleaned. 2025 owners also report front radar sensors stolen from parked cars.

When the problems start

Owners report problems at a wide spread of mileages, so no single point marks the start. Some 2023 owners saw camera or radar failures as early as 1,600 to 4,500 miles. A used 2021 bought with 11,000 miles braked hard twice in one afternoon. Other reports come at 17,000, 19,000, and 21,000 miles. A 2020 owner logged two events at 30,460 miles, and 2021 reports run from 10,000 to 60,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Federal recall records list no recalls in this area. Owners say dealers often cannot reproduce the fault, call the system sensitive, or say nothing can be done. Some only recalibrate the sensors. Where a camera or body control module was replaced, some faults came back, and parts took weeks or months. One technician told an owner to turn the system off. Owners do not give repair prices for the braking fault. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repair cost for the CR-V overall at $407. 2025 owners call a stolen radar sensor costly to replace.

Checking a used CR-V for automatic emergency braking problems

Ask the seller whether the car ever braked on its own, and whether a dealer visit or sensor recalibration was ever done.
Drive at 25 to 45 mph over railroad tracks, dips, and road plates, and note any sudden braking or BRAKE warning.
Check the dash at startup and while driving for a cluster of warning lights or messages that say driver assist is off.
Look at the windshield for cracks and the front emblem area for damage or missing sensor parts.
Ask for records of any front camera, radar, or body control module replacement, and whether the fault returned.

A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

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