NHTSA probes 1.7 million Honda vehicles after braking complaints

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said they are investigating 1,732,000 Honda Motor vehicles over reports of inadvertent braking that boosts the risk of a crash.

The investigation comes a week after the transport agency said it was starting an official investigation into 416,000 Tesla vehicles over complaints of unexpected brake activation connected to its driver-assistance system Autopilot.

The NHTSA said it has received 278 complaints that claim braking incidents taking place “with nothing obstructing the vehicle’s path of travel”, with six alleging a crash with minor injuries.

The automaker said it will cooperate with the investigation, which the NHTSA said will affect the 2018-2019 model year Honda Accord and 2017-2019 model year Honda CR-V, and carry out its own internal review.

An initial evaluation by the NHTSA is the first phase before the agency could release a formal recall demand.