2019 Honda Civic · symptom sheet

Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)

26owner reports
10,000median miles
5involved a crash

Newest report Jul 17, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

63 of the 425 complaints on this car are about the brakes. 26 of those describe phantom braking.

Tick what matches of 26 reports

nothing was in front of me

on the highway

near an overpass, shadow or truck

nearly rear-ended

the dealer found no fault

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the radar or camera sensor (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2019 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Civic

SQ98-017opened Sep 11, 1998

Speed control · model years 1996

Throttle cable sticking. Closed jun 3, 1999, led to recall 99E-015.

NHTSA summary

DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPLACE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996 CIVIC THROTTLE CABLES EQUIPPED WITH CABLES NOT HAVING THE LATEST REVISIONS. SINCE EACH THROTTLE CABLE IS DATE CODED THE SUBJECT CABLES ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED; FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR WARRANTED.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THIS MATTER IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE FULL CLOSING RESUME FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

EA89-005opened Nov 16, 1988

Speed control · model years 1986 to 1987

Fuel system venting. Closed nov 30, 1989.

NHTSA summary

===

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 6,627 and 29,000 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.

419

320

221

722

223

624

226

What owners wrote

“The Honda Sensing automated system suffered a phantom activation. It threw a visual brake warning, violently applied the brakes, and jerked the steering wheel causing a collision impact to other vehicles. This collision led to a major accident with an 18 wheeler and 6 additional cars. The car automated system has done this prior when there were no objects in front of the vehicle.”
Filed Jul 17, 2026

“Several times, while driving, my car would randomly slam on the brakes when there were no other cars around. I feel this is a safety issue that could cause an accident to the tear end of the car.”
Filed Aug 18, 2023

“The emergency braking system auto brakes when to close etc mines done it multiple times with car ahead of me by 2/3 car lengths and even while switching lanes itâs auto brakes for no reason”
Filed Jul 6, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 5 of 26 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.