In 2023, Michel Laforge made a purchase that initially seemed promising - a Subaru Impreza. He was drawn to the vehicle's crash-prevention technology. However, his confidence took a hit when his car unexpectedly slammed the brakes on five separate occasions with no obvious reason. Living in Sudbury, Ont., Laforge was on Highway 144, using adaptive cruise control. This system, with its stereo camera system behind the windshield, is designed to monitor the road and adjust the car's speed. But one sunny day, with a clear windshield and no other vehicles in sight, the car suddenly braked, reducing his speed from 100 km/h to 60 km/h in seconds. Laforge was fortunate that there was no logging truck behind him. He initially thought it was a one-time incident, but the braking episodes continued, even when the adaptive cruise control was off. The last time it happened, the vehicle wouldn't stop braking, and he had to steer to avoid a potential accident.

Driver-Assistance Complaints and the Need for Regulations

After seeing a report about a Quebec man blaming his 2021 Subaru Crosstrek's lane-centring technology for an accident, Laforge contacted CBC News. Lane-centring, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking are all controlled by Subaru's Eyesight Driver Assist system. Since 2020, Transport Canada has received 70 complaints about lane-centring technology and 212 about automatic emergency braking. In the US, a nationwide class-action lawsuit was filed in 2021 over Subaru's Eyesight system. Tobias Marzell's Subaru Crosstrek had $10,000 in damage after an accident he blamed on the lane-centring technology. Transport Canada is creating regulations, but the Automobile Protection Association wants this to be mandatory on a quarterly basis. George Iny, the APA's director, believes these rules are overdue.The Canadian Automobile Association agrees that there should be stricter regulations for this technology, in line with safety standards for other components. Jesse Caron, an automotive expert, says the technology's reaction is not consistent across brands. Drivers can become too reliant on these features or not know how to use them properly. Oren Preisler, a driving instructor, recommends that drivers read the owner's manual and understand the features before using them. Some features like lane-centring and adaptive cruise control are helpful on long highway trips but can lead to complacency.When Tobias Marzell's Subaru Crosstrek overcorrected and hit another vehicle, he complained to Transport Canada. Subaru Canada sent an investigator who couldn't find anything abnormal. Laforge also struggled to find an explanation for his vehicle's braking issue. The dealership couldn't replicate it until the shop foreman experienced rapid deceleration during a test drive. Laforge was provided a loaner vehicle for months while they tried to fix the problem, but they suggested replacing the transmission, which he refused. He's waiting to trade his vehicle for an older one without the new technology.Iny is concerned that consumers who complain are often treated as hypochondriacs. He recommends installing a dashcam to have evidence in case of future incidents. Subaru sent an emailed statement, emphasizing their commitment to safety. Drivers experiencing issues related to crash-prevention technology can fill out an online complaint form or call Transport Canada. If a safety defect is suspected, Transport Canada can investigate and mandate corrective action by the manufacturer.