Tag Archives: Pre-Collision Assist

2021 Toyota C-HR Pre-Collision System Inoperative Without Warning

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In December 2020, Toyota began an investigation into certain 2021 Toyota C-HR crossover SUVs after receiving field reports from the Japanese market alleging that when using the Traffic Movement Notification feature (a Japanese market feature not available in the U.S.), the vehicle radar sensor did not detect a vehicle driving in front of it. An inoperative radar sensor also meant that other features, such as Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) could be affected. In these cases, dealer technicians observed that the beam axis for the radar sensor was out of specification and adjusted it during the inspection. After completing the adjustment and initializing the radar sensor, the vehicles were able to detect the preceding vehicle.

According to the defect report, certain 2021 Toyota C-HR vehicles are equipped with a millimeter-wave sensor (radar sensor) and a camera to detect objects in front of it. These sensors also support certain driver assistance features, including the Pre-Collision System (PCS).

Under certain circumstances, the initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly, resulting in the PCS not being able to detect an object in front of it. As a result, the vehicle will not provide warnings or braking assist, and would not display a message or indicator to the driver that PCS is not functional. An inoperative PCS, without a PCS malfunction indicator to the driver, may increase the risk of a crash in certain driving situations.

As of January 2022, Toyota has not received any U.S. field reports or warranty claims related to this condition. Based on their investigation results, however, Toyota decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall campaign. Owners of the subject vehicles will be asked to take their vehicles to their Toyota dealer to have the radar sensor inspected and properly initialize if necessary. Toyota’s number for this recall is 22TA02 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-107.

2021 Ford Bronco and 2021 Ford Ranger Collision Avoidance Reacts Slowly

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Owners of certain 2021 Ford Bronco SUVs and 2021 Ford Ranger trucks will be returning to their Ford dealership to fix a problem affecting the forward collision avoidance system. According to the defect report, a misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event.

Back in July 2021, a problem affecting the alignment of the cruise control radar modules was brought to the attention of Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG). An investigation was carried out to understand the potential effect of an incorrect calibration and how it could vary on the vehicle configuration and ride height. They found that radars aligned with the incorrect programming could be up to 2.6 degrees lower than design intent. Numerous reviews were conducted to understand the effect on vehicle Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Pre-Collision Assist (PCA) features as part of the Advanced Automatic Emergency Braking system.

The ACC and PCA features use information from the vehicle’s forward-looking radar and camera sensors to detect and track objects in the host vehicle path. A misaligned cruise control module radar can cause the vehicle to have a closer-than-expected following distance when using the adaptive cruise control feature, or the automatic emergency braking system may react late resulting in a sudden loss of speed during an automatic Pre-Collision Assist braking event. As a result, the Pre-Collision Assist system’s effectiveness to detect a potential frontal collision may be compromised and could increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will correct the problem by adjusting the angle of the cruise control radar module. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S52 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-982.

2020 Ford Mustang Collision Avoidance Problem

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Ford will be contacting a small number of 2020 Mustang owners because of a problem affecting the collision avoidance system in their cars. These vehicles are equipped with a forward looking camera that may not function as intended.

According to the defect report, the affected vehicles have an image processing module, or a forward looking camera that was misaligned during assembly. This incorrect calibration may cause features such as pre-collision assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, driver alert and auto high beam control to not work as intended. The pre-collision assist system’s effectiveness to detect a frontal collision may be compromised, increasing the risk of an accident and injury.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have a lane departure warning system camera alignment procedure done. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S26 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-306.

Ford Pre-Collision Assist Will Not Enable

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Ford had decided that a problem affecting the collision avoidance system exists in certain 2020 Ford Expedition and 2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The condition affects models equipped with the standard camera-only pre-collision assist built within a certain time period. Vehicles with optional radar plus camera pre-collision assist systems are not affected.

According to the defect report, the affected vehicles are equipped with pre-collision assist features that are not functional. This includes: Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support and Automatic Emergency Braking. There is no warning to the driver that these features are not functional, increasing the risk and severity of a frontal collision.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the software affecting the Body Control Module, Anti-lock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster, Headlamp Control Modules and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-262.