Numerous Forward Collision Warning False Alarms - 2016 Honda Pilot Long-Term Road Test

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Numerous Forward Collision Warning False Alarms - 2016 Honda Pilot Long-Term Road Test

Our 2016 Honda Pilot has a Forward Collision Warning system, but on a recent road trip it generated a dozen false alarms over just 650 miles.

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longtimelurker

So basically both of your new Hondas are manifesting issues with the Collision Mitigation Braking System. There was a recall last May (2015), and it looks like there are still issues with false alarms.

kirkhilles1

Very disappointing and is one reason despite my obsession with self driving vehicles that I couldn't justify getting the "with Sensing" on the Civic even though its the most advanced system Honda has to date. These types of warnings are scary and are almost a larger chance at causing someone to rear end you on a hard braking vs actually save you from an accident. I'm hoping that over the next few years, all manufacturers will start relying on a technology company that can really perfect this technology and maybe even have OTA updates.

agent0090

We have a 2014 Crosstour with Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning (no auto braking). While the sensitivity of both can be adjusted, I've turned off the LDW and I still get a number of false alerts on the FDW. It most often happens with things along the side of the road (parked cars are a particular problem), and especially when the road curves. We bought our Crosstour gently used, but if I was buying new I don't think I would shell out the extra $$ for the sensing at this point. (I will say that the reverse camera and Lane Watch camera are worth every penny.)

metalmania

From the sound of it, I think I'd leave it off most of the time too. I'm not sure I'd completely leave it off my options list though, it might still be useful on long drives where fatigue could be a factor. My kids will probably learn to drive on whatever my next vehicle is, and although I don't want them to learn to rely on tech like this to be safe, it's still something that could potentially save them from an accident. I hope the systems Honda uses can be tuned via updates. I imagine they count towards discounts on insurance too.

accdguy13

kirkhilles1 said:

'""These types of warnings are scary and are almost a larger chance at causing someone to rear end you on a hard braking vs actually save you from an accident"""

Its not that scary - its a beeping noise. My 2013 Accord had it - and actually had fairly few false alarms. They must have mucked up the programming or electrical gremlins are plauging Honda vehicles just like VW's.

banhugh

Half baked safety systems by Honda. Just like the adaptive cruise control

adantium

All these new safety systems are a scam. They do NOT replace an alert, safe driver in any way possible. It's just crap they want to sell you with the promise of added safety. If anything its an added distraction plus gives people a false sense of safety when they should be paying attention.

stever

"The U.S. has seen a 31% reduction in its motor vehicle death rate per capita over the past 13 years." (CNN)

That reduction could be related to several factors but is sure isn't based on driver's ed!

metalmania

adantium said:

All these new safety systems are a scam. They do NOT replace an alert, safe driver in any way possible. It's just crap they want to sell you with the promise of added safety. If anything its an added distraction plus gives people a false sense of safety when they should be paying attention.

I don't think I'd go so far as to call them scams, nor should anyone treat them as a replacement for driver alertness / awareness / skill. While they do seem to have varying degrees of effectiveness, even day to day on the same vehicle, the unfortunate truth is plenty of people are going to be distracted or just plain poor drivers regardless of whether they have them. I'd still prefer the person behind me to have automatic anti-collision braking, because they're still going to be messing around with their phone either way. No, active safety systems won't make them better drivers but it could save the rest of us from suffering for their mistakes.

Right now they're still relatively new technologies, they'll get better (hopefully). I just hope legislation doesn't push them to where we can't actually drive our cars anymore.