Ghost Braking Prompts Honda 250,000 Vehicle Recall

Ghost braking occurs when vehicles unexpectedly apply the brakes to an unprompted degree without being prompted. This action can take vehicle operators by surprise and possibly cause automobile wrecks. Vehicle manufacturer Honda announced a recall regarding a quarter-million of their vehicles that are at risk for ghost braking.

Reports and tests led the manufactures to believe that in select vehicles the brake defect randomly and automatically would apply pressure to the brakes for a split second when the driver began to apply the brakes and sometimes would exceed the intended driver’s intended input.

Owners who have experienced the issue have sent complaints to the automobile manufacturer. According to reports, there have been no injuries directly correlated to the brake problem. Honda allegedly admits that the malfunction could undeniably cause a serious accident that can lead to serious injury or expensive property damage. An owner who experienced the problem early on had to send in her complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when she failed to get a response regarding the matter from Honda.

It is believed that perhaps the owner’s petition to the NHTSA was a catalyst that sparked the quarter of a million vehicles recall.

In the U.S. at least 101,000 Honda Pilot vehicles, 60,000 Acura MDX vehicles, and 21,000 Acura RL vehicles from the 2005 model year, along with 800 Acura MDX vehicles from the 2006 model year were recalled. Globally the recall affected a larger amount of vehicles.

Various critics blame the problem on the new technology and over engineering that newer model vehicles are given. Honda states the problem lies with its Vehicle Stability Assist function that it uses. It’s what it calls its electronic stability control system. Apparently a damaged electrical capacitor resulted during the manufacturing process along with an electrical ground bolt that may have not been tightened enough during assembly are responsible.

Owners should expect notices instructing them on how to handle the recall. If they have further questions they are advised to contact Honda directly. If their cars are affected, Honda will ensure that the problem is handled gratis.

Timing is important when handling a recall or anything related to automobile maintenance. When a vehicle is not properly maintained it could cause problems that it was not designed to have that could put your life and that of others at risk.  If you have been in an accident because of a vehicle manufacturer faux pa, consider speaking to an automobile collision lawyer.

 

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