About this problem
Automatic emergency braking uses a camera, a radar sensor or both to watch the road ahead and brake hard if a crash looks likely. The problem owners report is "phantom braking": the system slams on the brakes for a shadow, an overpass, a parked car or nothing at all. That can startle the driver and risk a rear-end crash from the car behind. Software updates have reduced it on some models but not all.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Honda Civic since 2012, 135 (2.2%) describe automatic emergency braking problems, the second most reported problem we track on the Civic. The reports cluster on the 2016, 2019 and 2022 model years, and the 2016 drew the most, with 22. It tends to show up early in the car's life: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 7,000 and 27,000 miles. 18 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Honda has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners describe the Civic braking hard on its own, often at highway speed with nothing in the way: under bridges, past parked cars, in shadows or around curves. Some report the warning chime and a jolt; others report the car slowing sharply enough to risk being rear-ended. The complaints cluster in the 2016 to 2022 model years, the first years this system became standard on most trims.
How it gets fixed
Carmakers have released software updates for many of these systems, and some owners report the problem eased after a dealer update or a camera and radar recalibration. A dirty or misaligned windshield camera, or a replaced windshield that was not recalibrated, can also cause false alarms.
Typical cost: A software update is usually free under warranty. A camera or radar recalibration after windshield work typically costs $150 to $400 at a shop.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"The Honda Civic was in the driveway with the emergency brake set when it was parked. The vehicle has a manual transmission."
2016 Honda Civic, 6,000 miles
"Monday 6.10.19 my daughter made a left hand turn from ward road to 44th ave. An F150 came to a stop and she applied brakes accordingly. She got errors collision mitigation and she lost the ability to brake. She read ended the F150."
2019 Honda Civic, 5,199 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Honda has sent dealers 5 bulletins that mention this problem on the Civic. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
During production, the latest software version for the ACC/CMBS (adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation braking system), which is part of the VSA-modulator control unit, was not installed in the vehicle.
Service bulletin - During production, the latest software version for the ACC/CMBS (adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation braking system), which is part of the VSA-modulator control unit, was not installed in the vehicle.
Owner Notification Letter - During production, the latest software version for the ACC/CMBS (adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation braking system), which is part of the VSA-modulator control unit, was not installed in yo...
ServiceNews Article - Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving can cause the ACC, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Road Departure Mitigation indicators to come on.
Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX).
Before you buy a Civic
- Drive the car on a busy road with parked cars, overpasses and shadows, where false braking tends to happen.
- Ask whether the braking software has been updated, and check for open recalls by VIN.
- If the windshield was replaced, ask for proof the camera was recalibrated.
Questions
Which Honda Civic years have automatic emergency braking problems?
Complaints are highest for the 2016, 2019, 2022 model years. The 2016 drew the most, with 22 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 12,000 miles, and half reported it between 7,000 and 27,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A software update is usually free under warranty. A camera or radar recalibration after windshield work typically costs $150 to $400 at a shop.