Honda Class Action Lawsuit Investigation For Safety System Failures 2026, Front Camera Defects Cause Phantom Braking In CR-V And Accord Models
A certified class action lawsuit alleges Honda sold thousands of CR-Vs and Accords with defective collision mitigation systems that slam on brakes without warning. If your 2017-2019 CR-V or 2018-2020 Accord experiences phantom braking, here’s what the January 2026 investigation means for your legal rights.
What The Honda Safety System Lawsuit Alleges
The lawsuit, Kathleen A. Cadena v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Case No. CV 18-4007-MWF), targets Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), part of the Honda Sensing safety package. On June 24, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Michael William Fitzgerald certified the class action, allowing it to proceed on behalf of owners nationwide.
Plaintiffs claim the CMBS misrecognizes objects and applies hard, unexpected braking when no collision risk exists. According to court documents, this defect creates dangerous situations, particularly at highway speeds when sudden braking could cause rear-end collisions.
Which Honda Models Are Affected By The Safety Defect?
The certified class includes 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2020 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with CMBS. Fleet vehicles are excluded from the class definition per the court’s June 2024 order.
Honda Sensing relies on a front-mounted camera behind the windshield to detect road conditions and nearby vehicles. When this camera malfunctions or misreads environmental conditions, critical safety features fail. Owners report the system activating during construction zones, under bright lighting, or near traffic signals—scenarios where no actual hazard exists.
How The Front Camera Defect Affects Driver Safety
The lawsuit describes multiple ways the defective CMBS endangers drivers. The system may flash warning lights and apply emergency brakes abruptly without driver input. Some owners report their vehicles slamming on brakes at highway speeds when no objects are present ahead.
Beyond phantom braking, camera failures can disable other Honda Sensing features including Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Road Departure Mitigation. When the camera malfunctions, dashboard warning lights illuminate and the entire safety system may shut down completely.
What Legal Claims Are Being Made Against Honda?
The consolidated lawsuit includes multiple claims: breach of implied warranty, violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and state consumer protection law violations. Plaintiffs allege Honda knew about the CMBS defect but continued selling affected vehicles without disclosing the safety risks.
According to the complaint, Honda has not issued a recall for the camera defect despite growing owner complaints. Many drivers report paying thousands of dollars for camera replacement or diagnostics, only to have the problem return.
Similar to other class action lawsuits over defective products, affected Honda owners seek compensation for repair costs, diminished vehicle value, and economic losses.
Current Status Of The Honda CMBS Class Action
As of January 2026, the case remains in active litigation. No settlement has been reached. Class members received notification about the lawsuit in late 2024 and were given the opportunity to opt out if they wanted to pursue individual claims.
The official case website at hondacmbsclassaction.com provides updates and documentation. Class counsel from Gibbs Law Group LLP and Greenstone Law are currently preparing evidence and litigating claims on behalf of class members.
What Honda Owners Should Do Now
If you own a 2017-2019 CR-V or 2018-2020 Accord with CMBS problems, document everything immediately. Save all repair invoices, dealership service records, and Honda communications about the safety system failures. Record dates, times, and detailed descriptions of when phantom braking or camera warnings occur.
File a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at safercar.gov. These federal reports create an official record of safety defects and can strengthen the class action case.
Contact class counsel through the official case website if you haven’t received class notification. Keep all purchase and ownership documentation in case a settlement is reached. You don’t need to take action now to remain in the class—staying in means you’ll participate in any future settlement or verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a settlement for the Honda safety system lawsuit?
No settlement exists as of January 2026. The case is actively proceeding through litigation after class certification in June 2024.
Can I still join if my warranty expired?
Yes. The lawsuit addresses Honda’s alleged concealment of defects at the time of sale, regardless of current warranty status.
What compensation might be available?
Typical vehicle defect settlements reimburse repair costs, compensate for diminished vehicle value, and cover economic losses. Specific amounts depend on settlement negotiations or trial outcomes.
Should I get the camera replaced now?
Document the defect first, then decide. Some owners report problems returning even after expensive camera replacements. Consult class counsel before spending thousands on repairs.
How long until this case resolves?
Vehicle class actions typically take 3-5 years from filing to final settlement. This case was filed in 2018 and certified in 2024, suggesting resolution may come in 2026-2027.
Last Updated: January 4, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides legal information about the Honda CMBS class action lawsuit based on court filings and does not constitute legal advice.
If your Honda exhibits phantom braking or safety system failures, document the defects and monitor case developments at the official settlement website.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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