New Mercedes CLA automatic braking activates in error causing minor crash during car test

copacetic · 13-12-2025 04:31PM #1

interesting video from what car:

https://youtu.be/EoVIr1pomww?si=ibOuGp7bnKUD4Rvn

I get erroneous warnings sometimes in BMW and Nissan cars but never a full on emergency braking scenario. Always a back of a mind worry though.

Have had it happen reverse parking once with a low sun in the background but that was the worst I’ve had.

Damien360 · 13-12-2025 08:25PM

My Passat gives a emergency brake error on dash randomly once a month but generally does not apply the brakes. Except one time going up a hill with bollards on the bend for a bike lane, it slammed on. It let go pretty quickly but frightened me and my passenger. No cars in front or any obstruction. Luckily nobody was behind me.

I have seen on boards someone reporting their car reading the off ramp speed limit on a motorway and applying brakes hard while still on the main carriageway. Not sure was it a Leaf or one of the ID's.

Miscreant · 13-12-2025 08:32PM

I'm sure the person with the randomly brake slamming Dacia who was posting relatively recently will be along any minute…….

I have not experienced this myself other than a warning coming up on the dash but the car did not feel the need to brake. I have had it once in reverse coming out of a supermarket parking space but it was at less than 2 or 3kph and did not cause any issues.

I'm in two minds about these systems really. On one hand, I want to be in control all the time but on the other hand it is nice to have something there that will react if you are distracted or otherwise unable to. There is a fine balance for these systems and thankfully, in this video, no-one was injured. They do make an interesting point about insurance though… who is actually liable in future when these systems are in every car? I know the situation now is that the person behind is at fault but it is only a matter of time before this is tested in court.

copacetic · 13-12-2025 08:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124067859#Comment_124067859

that would be a worry of mine. I used to have automatic speed sign recognition on a 520d, it always read the off ramp speed as the current speed limit and alerted a speed warning, but I never had max speed adjust enabled.

Nate--IRL-- · 13-12-2025 09:25PM

I've had it happen when over taking a truck, nothing in front of me. My guess was a weird radar reflection from something on the truck confused the system.

Pressing the accelerator more cancelled the braking action immediately. Thankfully it wasn't a full slam on the brakes but I know now not to trust any of the automations for a second.

Nate

ofcork · 15-12-2025 05:34PM

It might have read the speed limit sign on the truck itself.

Dartz · 20-12-2025 03:09PM

Is there a way to just disable it - like by blocking the sensors with tape or something so it never sees a reflection coming back.

Of course, if your brakes slam on and someone hits you it's their fault anyway so you'll get a decent claim out of it.

New Mercedes CLA automatic braking activates in error causing minor crash during car test

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