2020 HONDA INSIGHT Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking Problems

This 2020 Honda Insight performed “phantom braking” of the automated braking system when I was about to enter a clear intersection with no vehicles or obstacles in front of me. It activated the automated braking system and endangered my life and the lives of others over no real threat. This occurred 08/23/2025. The car is well maintained and does not have any service issues. This was completely random.

I was driving down the highway, with no one in front of me, and my car alerted BRAKE and brought my car from 70 to an almost complete stop. This jerked myself and my passenger and caused a heat mark from the seat belt on my collar bone. It has done it multiple times since then. I'm terrified to be in traffic and for it to do this. This is most definitely putting my safety at risk, and the safety of others. I have not taken it to the dealership yet.

I was driving on a two lane road driving over a small paved bridge going about 40mph with a car next to me and a car behind me nothing in front of me when my car did a hard phantom brake. No pre warning, the display did show BRAKE and it did beep. But everything was sudden. Luckily the car behind was able to slam on brakes. The car behind me continued to follow but was at least 4 car lengths away. I assume bc they didn't know why I braked.

In 3 instances the emergency braking system has activated when the car was being driven on the freeway and the lane was curving with no obstacles in front of the car in the lane but a semi truck in the next lane over in one instance and cars in the next lane over in the other instances.

Two instances of braking system activating at highway speeds. In one instance, it was broad daylight, there was some traffic but nothing in my lane for a good distance, highway speed (approximately 65 mph) short sharp braking maneuver that dropped the speed approximately 10mph. I assumed there was some reflected light off of a sign that messed with the sensors, but the second instance was at midnight, same highway, same speed, no one else on the road. In these instances, with light traffic, there was no danger to my safety but if this happens again under heavier traffic, it could conceivably cause someone to rear end the vehicle. I have not been able to reproduce the problem. There might’ve been a flash on the dashboard warning the system was activated, but I couldn’t say for sure. Vehicle is available for inspection.

DRIVING ALONE ON ROAD DOING 30 MPH THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MPH WHILE FLASHING "BRAKE" IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. NO OTHER CARS ON THIS ROAD AT THE TIME. THERE WERE SHADOWS ACROSS THE ROAD FROM SUN AND TREES. SINCE I ALWAYS DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT, IF THERE IS SOMEONE FOLLOWING ME, THEY ARE USUALLY RIGHT ON MY TAIL. I DON'T WANT TO BE SHOT FOR "BRAKE CHECKING" SOME REDNECK IN A PICKUP WHEN IT ISN'T EVEN ME DOING THE BRAKING. NHTSA ISN'T DOING IT'S JOB BY ALLOWING THIS ISSUE TO CONTINUE.