As modern vehicles become more technologically advanced with new types of software and hardware systems, the greater the likelihood something can potentially go wrong. That's the position Honda is now finding itself in. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed it's begun an investigation into the Japanese automaker's automated emergency braking system after receiving some 278 complaints from owners who claim they experienced unexpected automatic braking.

More than 1.7 million Hondas are involved, specifically the 2017 to 2019 Honda CR-V and the 2018 and 2019 Accord. Of those complaints, 171 were for the CR-V and the remaining 107 involved the Accord.

The government safety agency, in its official document, stated that six of these cases did involve collisions and even minor injuries. Owners complained of unexpected speed reductions that could lead to an increased chance of rear collisions. Troubling, the documents add that unexpected braking can happen at random and without warning. The NHTSA's probe further aims to find out exactly how many vehicles are potentially affected and how serious the problem is. If necessary, a recall will be ordered.

Of the complaints made, one owner from Virginia told the NHTSA their 2018 CR-V suddenly came to a complete stop in November 2019. The driver stated that "while driving on an interstate with no vehicles or obstacles stopped in front of me, my car automatically braked hard. It came to a complete stop on the interstate, which resulted in me getting rear-ended."

The unnamed owner further confirmed this resulted in two injuries. It's important to further note that this isn't the first investigation of an automated braking system this year.

Earlier this month, the NHTSA opened a probe into 416,000 Teslas after receiving 354 complaints from owners who said the vehicles stopped for no reason. Those Teslas are all equipped with adaptive cruise control and Autopilot, which is already under investigation. For its part, Honda issued a statement confirming it will "cooperate with NHTSA through the investigation process, and we will continue our own internal review of the available information."