NHTSA complaint #11526247

Owner complaint summary

On two separate occasions (December 2022 and April 2023), the Collision Mitigation System (CMS) of our 2020 Acura MDX improperly engaged. On the first occasion, the CMS abruptly engaged the braking system without warning. There was no car in front of the car, but there was a car in a turn lane to the right of the car. There was no reason for the system to engage. Both the driver (my wife) and the passenger (daughter) reported back pain from the incident. The driver received physical therapy for the event. The dealer (Gary Force Acura) and Honda America were notified. The dealer examined the car and found no issues or failures. On the second occasion, the car was changing lanes at a slow rate of speed while approaching an intersection and a stopped car well in front of the Acura. The CMS again abruptly slammed on the brakes in a manner not corresponding with the risk or danger of the situation. A collision with the car behind our car was fortunately avoided by the driver of the other car. The violence of the braking system caused damage to the braking system. No injuries were incurred. Again, the dealer and Honda America were notified, and the car was again examined. No issues or failures were identified outside of the brake repair. On both occasions, individuals were put at risk. The dealer was not able to reproduce the problem. The dealer said a CMS warning to brake should have come on before the CMS engaged. On both occasions, no warnings were observed until the actual braking event started. We are not comfortable driving the car, particularly with a student driver in the family. In most cases, we turn the CMS off before driving the car. The intent is to dispose of the car due to concern associated with the CMS.