Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Changed entire braking system Booster, ABS Main, Calipers, ABS Module, rooters, pads and STILL BRAKES LOCK. Brakes get hot and car stops any where on the Road, until it COOLS down the BRAKES UNLOCK. [phone] Angelica
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed and flipped over. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. During the crash, the driver sustained lacerations and bruises to the left arm that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,975. Updated 11/08/16 updated 11/17/16.
Brakes never worked right, felt like not stopping quick enough, had replaced 3 or 4 times since 2001, but to this day, when stopping suddenly with brake pedal fully to floor, car doesn't want to stop & is scary. Was rear ended,radio & speakers quit working, replaced & alarm quit working, had to have it completely removed & had damaged fly wheel. Alarm malfunction was causing car to run in "safe mode" and car was using too much gas. The gas indicator is not accurate, and slow to adjust to empty or full levels, even when in perfect weather. Even now I am certain that I do not get good gas mileage in city or highway driving & feel this car is vastly overrated in every way! SRS indicator light is always on for 3 years now, red in color, I never knew this was a problem before reading bulletins ( but do now). …
When consumer shifted the gears, the engine surged and vehicle suddenly accelerated, resulting in a collision, consumer applied brakes hard, but car would not stop. Related recall 01V329000, consumer's v.I.n. Not included. Ts upon impact the air bags did not deploy. It is also noted that the technican experienced the same condition when entering the vehicle to be serviced. It was determined that the transmission was faulty. Consumer sustained minor injuries and there was front end damage...
While driving in traffic the brake line blew while stopping for a red light. A panic maneuver was made and accident was avoided. A replacement line was installed and while again driving in traffic a car pulled out in front of me and while applying the brakes, another line blew. This time I had to dive into the shoulder and apply the e-brake.
When I press on my brakes it makes a loud popping noise.I took it to the Honda dealership and they said theres nothing they can do about it because theres some kind of defect that causes the brake pads to shift.the technicians told me that many people have complained but since they do not know how to fix it they can not do anything for me. So basically I'm stuck with my car making the popping noise because Honda does not know how to fix the problem.I am very unsatisfied with Honda and the performance of my car.my car is a 2001 Honda Civic. …
I was driving home, back country roads, when suddenly my vehicle revved up to over 5000rpm while making a very slow turn. I brake, it stopped revving up, but when I started again it shuddered and then completely stopped moving. I could not go in any gear, I tried waiting a while, car runs fine but won't move. Sat by the side of the road waiting for a tow, have now been told the transmission failed and needs replaced. Of course, this will cost almost the value of the care, but that's not my main concern. While this did not cause me physical harm, I was planning on leaving for baltimore within the hour. Had this car waited 50 more miles to give out I would have been traveling at a high rate of speed on 695s along with many other Friday night commuters and could have easily caused a major accident and who knows how many people could have been killed, myself included? …
I purchased this car used 3 months ago, had a certified mechanic inspect it and do all that was necessary to make it road worthy and safe. New timing belt, head gasket, brakes, engine mounts, bushings, tires, ac compressor, belts, etc. Etc. So after spending over $2500.00 in repairs I thought I had a perfectly running safe vehicle. And it did run beautifully until 2 days ago when driving home from work at around 45 MPH without any sign or indication of trouble I heard a loud clunk from under the car and began to lose power. Luckily, with all the traffic around I was able to pull over to the shoulder of the road and found transmission fluid poring out from below. I had aaa tow the car to a reliable shop and was told I need a new transmission. Rough estimate for the repair $2000. - $2600. Needless to say I was shocked and angry. And now I find out that I'm not alone. …
Rotors resurfaced and master cylinder replaced at 20,000 miles in oct 2002. Rotors resurfaced again in April 2003 at 32,000. Now rotors and master cylinder needs to be replaced at 42,000 miles. Honda refuses to replace stating that the warranty was up at 36,000 miles. They have blamed me for riding my brakes which I dont... I put 24,000 miles on the car a year and use my cruise control 90% of the time. They blamed people who rotate the tires for tightening the lug nuts too tight... I have never rotated my tires so that is nill. Then they asked if the car is parked near a sprinkler because if the rotors get wet they will rust. They are blaming anything they can so they dont have to pay. Well.. The lemon law is on my side and they will pay. This is my 5th brand new Honda and will be my last. Atleast Kia stands by their vehicles.
Since 2016 I've been having problems with the brakes. We fixed them and the problem came back. When I press the brake pedal at times it does not work. My mechanic said that behind the brakes, there is a hose that needs to be purged, but every time they try to do that, it does not work. There is no flexibility on the hose. We've attempted fixing this several times and it works for a day and then the next day it does not work. Please let us know if there is a way we can fix this. I'm afraid this issues has endangered my life several times. I cannot drive it anymore, but I only have this car. The latest issue was today. After having it at the shop for over a week, I was driving my car out of the my drive way and the brake would not work. I've parked it outside my home.thank you,
Brake complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Honda Civic, 4% of the model year's 1,079 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Civic brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Honda Civic, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Honda Civic brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.