Service Brakes Problems of Honda Insight - part 1

On September 4, 2025, while driving my 2019 Honda Insight touring at approximately 35 mph on 10th avenue in kennewick, wa, the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking system suddenly activated without any obstacle present. The car braked very hard, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. This was not the first time it has happened. The same issue occurred on two separate occasions in 2022, also with no vehicles or obstacles nearby. Each time, the system engaged abruptly and without warning. I am concerned about the safety risk of the collision mitigation braking system (cmbs) activating erroneously, as it could easily cause a rear-end collision.

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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.

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The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. During the failure, the brakes failed to function as intended, and the lane departure, cruise control, and forward collision avoidance features failed to function as intended. The failure was intermittent. During the first failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted after several minutes and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with battery failure. The dealer also determined that the brake pedal simulator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

Car often slams on the breaks when there’s no one near me. It also has the blind spot detection go off when there’s no one next to me (or a highway barrier) both of these instances have happened numerous times since I’ve had my car. It’s only been 3 years and 25k miles. The problem started as soon as 2-3 months in.

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Driving normally about to enter a clear intersections when the brakes automatically fully engaged bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. There was nothing in front of me, and no cars about to cross in front of me. Lucky there was no accident and I was able to continue on. There have been no issues, inspections, or changes leading up to this incident.

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while her husband was driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the automatic braking system failed to deactivate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

According to the driver of the vehicle at the time, for no reason while on a freeway approaching a construction area at 60 miles per hour with cruse control off, the vehicle brakes were applied by (I suspect) the emergency braking system (ebs)of the car. The car, due to the breaking, slowed down to 50 miles per hour and then released the brakes. No one was behind the car at the time. A warning did also appear on the instrument panel at the time of the event. Problem has not been reported to Honda (or anyone else) or reproduced. There were no warnings of any issue prior to the event. This event occurred around the first of January 2025.

I just read about a NHTSA probe or study that's been upgraded for unexplained braking on Honda Insights. This unexplained sharp automated braking has happened at least half a dozen times in my car. There was never anything in or near the vehicle path that would explain the braking. It was always good weather (no hazard road conditions). In every instance it was a brief but sharp braking (with a loud audible beep beep beep). Three times it occurred within the same 1/4 mile stretch of road, which was a slight decline followed by a slight incline (at the time I was thinking that somehow the optical camera system was picking up some reflected or refracted light from the road or highway markings). But that seems unlikely, and in any case, louisiana roads, being as horrible as they are, there's no fresh marking paint or other reflective coatings anywhere on the road. I also wondered if maybe it was caused by interference from other radar or radio signals.

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.

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v858000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the message “engine overheating” had flashed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and then stopped the vehicle and waited 15 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the check engine warning illuminated and the vehicle almost stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the check brakes message was displayed and the stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

April 17, 2024. Feds expands investigation into Honda’s automatic emergency braking system. “brake” flashes on the dash. As shown in your article. Insight slows down for no reason. I’m a very cautious driver and around my surroundings. No accidents not told to my dealer or manufacturer. What would they do? keep me in the waiting room for hours. Then tell me there is nothing wrong. No prior messages before hand. I maintained my vehicle in perfect condition. 14k miles. 2 years old on may 1, 2024. Garaged. My vehicle has this happen all the time. Usually when traveling under 40 mph. In city driving. No vehicles are ahead of me. Thank you.

I’m having two continuous, multiple incident, problems that the dealership swears up and down do not exist. I have tried calling the dealership multiple times, and the national Honda customer service line. Problem number one, sudden, breaking while driving at highway speed with no vehicle or other objects in front of me. Second problem is the adaptive cruise control no longer is activated on the vehicle after the most recent software update. Although Honda says they have not removed this component from my car or it’s software, the vehicle no longer slows down automatically when approaching a vehicle from behind while cruise control is activated.

This has been happening with my two Honda cads. I currently have Honda 2023 crv and 2021 Honda Insight. The collison mitigation braking system brakes really hard for no reason.

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I have filed a complaint to the Honda motor company in torrence, California. I have notifed Honda of a serious defect with our vehicles collision mitiagation braking system. Here are the defects with our Honda Insight 2022 vehicle: 1) on three occasions while my wife nino is driving on the 470 freeway in colorado between lone tree and littleton CO. Brake warning light comes on, light comes on randomly while driving 65 mph, then the collision mitiagation braking system comes on and slows the vehicle down to 15 mph while on the freeway speed of 65 mph. While the brakes are engaging a forceful vacuum and pressure enters the cabin and that pressure goes to my wife's chest which casues pain. 2) 4th event was on August 15, 2023 while driving south on kipling Ave in littleton CO. My wife nino was driving home appx 6:00 pm at 45-50 mph, when the vehicle did the same thing again, brake warning light displays orange yellow color, then the brakes engage to slow the vehicle down, then pressure and vacuum inside the cabin occurs with pressure towards my wife's chest. I have sent a letter yesterday to the Honda motor company. I would like to kindly request that you do an investigation into this matter. This defect on our vehicle is a life and dealth situation defect. My wife has been extremely lucky that no collision occured as a result of these horrible experiences. If the Honda motor comany has not required a recall, then they should be doing this ASAP to prevent unecessary accidents to prevent citizens from dying. Our vehicle was towed on August 16, 2023 to kuni Honda in centennial CO. So far, the service manager said they have not been able to find the problem, but then he changed his story and said something needed to be adjusted 2-3 degrees. I requested more detailed information. I called yesterday to request the tow record and service repair records and they have not provided that info to me yet. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

I drove into my friends driveway with my foot on the brake to drop her off. All of a sudden my car lurched forward damaging my friends garage door and the foundation of her house. I had zero control of the car at that point. I plan on notifying Honda. There were no warning lights, or messages prior to this disaster.

The brakes failed and the yellow light that comes on as you are approaching another vehicle failed to come on along with the car not slowing down. The drivers foot was on the brake but the car wasn’t stopping. This caused the driver to rear end another vehicle causing a car crash. The dealer was asked about reading the computer to confirm brake failure but was advised they do not have the equipment to read the computer in the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the failure of the brakes not working.

I experienced "rough running" of my 2013 Honda Insight just prior to August of 2021. Initial work on the vehicle helped, but repairs became increasingly expensive and extensive. A simple oil change on about 8/2/2021 (mileage at 64,545). At about mileage 68,370 the vehicle failed again (showing check engine light / stalling); repair shop found a misfire on cylinder #4, and all 8 of the spark plugs were replaced.  then on/about Nov. /2022 (mileage at 71,988), the vehicle was running rough again (with check engine light on) and the repair shop found a miss in cylinder #4 again, and then replaced cylinder #4  spark plugs and coils. On/about Feb. /2023, the vehicle had more problems (running rough) and then the repair shop found a misfire on #4 again (spark plug was replaced. ) on/about 5/18/2023, I took my vehicle in for a routine oil change. About two days later, on/about 5/20/2023, I (along with my girlfriend) drove on the freeway for a long trip. We had only been on the freeway for a few miles when the engine died. I had accelerated to 75 m. P. H. On a slight upgrade and was in the process of setting the cruise control when the engine revved up to 4,000 r. P. M. 's (as if it was climbing a steep hill); several warning lights showed up on the dashboard.  I immediately disengaged the cruise control while in the left lane and (thankfully due to no vehicles being near us) was able to get the vehicle off to the right edge of the freeway. The vehicle had no power. I called a tow truck and the driver attempted to drive the Honda Insight onto his ramp (with thick smoke billowing out of the exhaust pipe) but it was only able to go half the car length up the ramp. At first, I was told it needed 2 spark plugs and was fixed. I reminded them that all 8 had recently been replaced; they then said no compression on #2 / that engine was dead. Took it to Honda; diagnosed it as the oil consumption issue. Check lights are for systems: emmission, brake, vsa, w/ various other lights on dash.

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Driver side headlight failed. Available for inspection upon request. Can't drive without headlight on at nighttime or dark days. I haven't gone to dealer yet. Not inspected by manufacturer yet. Warning and message: headlight system problem. Headlight performance may be reduced. See your dealer. First appeared on 12/12/22. And I was told by gateguard that my left headlight went out, complete off. There was no incident, I didn't even know that it was completely off.

Twice, this car has engaged emergency brakes with cars behind me and no cars in front of me. Several other times, the "brake now" indicator has come on with no cars nearby.

I was driving down the freeway, around 4pm there wasn't much traffic and the nearest vehicle in front of me was abour 100 meters ahead of me when my 2022 Honda Insight activated the automatic emergency brakes and slowed down for about a second before dis-activating them. Since the vehicle ahead of me was not close at all, there should have been no reason for the automatic brakes to activate. I was lucky there was little traffic at the time and no car was immediately behind me as that could have caused a great accident.

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated while driving 65 mph the contact rear ended the vehicle in front. The vehicle brake assist malfunctioned, causing major damages to the front end of the contact’s vehicle and the rear end of the other vehicle. The air bags deploy. The driver in the other vehicle passed away and the contact was arrested but unsure of the injures. The vehicle was towed and deemed totally loss. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 32,000.

On two occasions I've had a brake system problem eror message pop up on my home screen inside of the car and on the Hondalink app 12/09/2020 and on 12/18/2020. I was leaving work on both incidents. The message reads: the brake system has a problem or the brake fluid may be low. I there is no resistance from the bark pedal, downshift to lower gears to slow the vehicle. Immediately stop in a safe place and contact roadside assistance. Part two: the brake system has a problem. Avoid high speeds and sudden braking. Have your vehicles checked by a dealer immediately. The message disappears after a few minutes of being on the display screen. Also the brakes are squeaking mostly when I'm about to take off in motion durning startup. I took the car to the Honda dealership on 01/15/2021. They could not get the car to duplicate the brake error code that's showed up before. The tech test drove my car for 20 miles and nothing was found. Today 01/16/2021 when I returned home from the store the brakes squeaked again, but this time when I was backing the car in to my parking space.

While driving on the freeway and sometimes on city drive, I noticed a sound and a brake flash on our dashboard. Surprising because I am not stepping on my break. I let my wife also drive the car and the same observation was noticed. I cannot take a picture of it because I am driving. Such observation were noticed occasionally but what if we end up on a full stop while on a freeway? that's the worrisome part.

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake engaged erroneously. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that there was no object or vehicle nearby during the failure. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that he has not contacted the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 33,000.

I had accident and air never opens.

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As I was going to park my 2010 Insight into a parking spot between two cars, the car suddenly lunged out of control hitting the car on my left, then proceeded to slam into a metal barrier in front of the spot, then flew up on the right side and slammed down onto the car on my right. I had no use of the brakes or control of the car. The metal barrier broke the car from moving--had it not been there my car would have dropped to the level below onto parked car--it could have been fatal. I live in CA and this is deemed my fault--although it was beyond my control. I did some research online and found on one website that 17 consumers experienced a similar accident/issue. There have been no warnings about this problem with hybrid vehicles--except the Toyota recall. These cars are an endangerment to the the driver, as well as other drivers and people in the vicinity of the car if they are walking near it. Here is a google drive link of pictures from the scene: https://drive. Google. Com/drive/folders/1m1wkrxoocxhkirznu0fedkiez7gkby28 please note that this incident is costing me thousands of dollars as well, I'm currently not working and because of my fear of the car I now have to get a new car, my insurance rates because of the accident will be 4 times what it was and I have my deductible to fix my car which has $3300 worth of damage.

Mi volsas DE ahire no funcionaron y estan cobrandome por un defecto DE fabrica necesito que bean mi solicitud ya que por ese defecto DE fabrica me golpie mi cuerpo.

Tl-the contact rented a 2019 Honda Insight. The contact stated that while, reversing at 3 mph and doing a half moon the brake pedal was applied however, failed to respond and the contact continued to pump the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into a post to a store. Additionally, while, reversing crashed into a Ford SUV. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries or medical attention provided. A police report was filed with york maine police department under filed 9yrk-200-ac there was no fire due to the crash the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the an independent lot and towed to dover Honda 1 dover point rd, dover, nh 03820 (603) 742-1676 who stated that the failure was unable to be duplicated, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however , no further assistance was provided, the failure mileage was approximately 3,668. The insurance company was contacted who provided claim number 189769v66. Ap.

The cmbs has mistakenly activated at highway speeds twice now in less than 1000 miles driven. The cmbs has caused my car to break sharply, for just a second, reducing speed by about 5-10 mph, when there was no reason for it to do so. There was no precipitation and there was no obstacle whatsoever that should have caused the cmbs to activate.

I was driving my car in September and I hit my break to stop my car. At that time, my break did not work. I finally hit another car and my airbag deployed and exploded. That was happening upfront dickinson town binghamton NY 13905. I had repport from the police. The recall number I received from NHTSA is 18v-661.

2010 Honda Insight. Consumer writes in regards to defective braking system. The consumer stated the brake was depressed, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle traveled through a stop light at an intersection, over a barrier, dropping approximately 30 ft and was struck by oncoming traffic.

When the driver step on it's braking systems by foot to stop the this car, it will starts to wobble it's back body of this car and shakes it seems the braking system on it's both rear braking system are dragging in every time we step on it's braking system. It will rattle the drivers when stepping on the braking system it's rear body will shakes and wobbles from side to sides before it will completely stops this car. During running when the driver will step the braking system, the rear of the car will wobbles / shaking and dragging it's rear braking and it is very dangerous for the new driver person to drive she / he may panic and cause to crash the this car.

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Approaching stop sign at low rate of speed-I applied brakes and instead of stopping car reved up and went forward into path of oncoming car. Other person received minor injuries,I received bruises and soreness (2 of my airbags deployed) my car is a total loss,complete front bumper off,frame bent,hood bent.

Unexpected acceleration when braking. While attempting to stop at a traffic light I experienced an acceleration surge while braking. This happened numerous times on this trip. Almost every time when I was coming to a stop and I applied the brakes the engine would increase rpms. This gave me an opportunity to analyze what was going on with the car. The revving of the engine was directly affected by braking. Simply removing my foot from the gas pedal and coasting did not result in the engine surging. When I shifted out of drive and into neutral, the engine would momentarily exceeded 5000 rpm almost red lining and then return to a normal idle. I stopped the car, turned the engine off and opened the hood looking for ice on linkages, fouled air filter or anything unusual. There was nothing that looked out of the ordinary. I then proceeded to drive the car home experiencing the same issue with every braking action. The next morning the car acted normally.

Driving on a busy s. E. Street in washington DC, driving about 20 to 30 mph. , heard a noise that sounded like a tire blowing out or some other type of noise emanating from underneath the car. I tried to press the brake, but instead the car accelerated and would not stop. It sped up at least another 15 to 20 more mph, and again, would not stop. There were vehicles in the back, so I could not use the emergency brake or shut the car off. There were also vehicles on the side and in front of my vehicle. I had to make a decision on how to slow the car down without hitting any pedestrians or any other vehicles. Decided to try and stop the car by hitting something stationary and ran into a set of steps that belonged to an office building. Airbags deployed and two passersby stopped to assist me and my passenger out of the car. We were both transported by ambulance to a hospital with substantial injuries to the chest, rib, neck and back for myself and the passenger.