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 2008 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, depressing on the brake pedal to the floorboard but failed to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he lost control of the vehicle, bounced off the retaining wall, and crash into another vehicle. The contact did not sustain any injuries but his front passenger sustain injuries on her right foot and discomfort in her back/neck. The front passenger sought medical attention at a near ER. The contact stated the other vehicle had two people injured but was unaware of the details or if they sought any medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to two different towing lots. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
I purchased the vehicle used from a reputable dealer in 2011. Within the first 30 days I experienced brake failure and a grinding sound when braking. The dealer was unable to identify the problem. I sent a formal complaint to the Honda ceo and subsequently the car was inspected at a local dealership. Brakes slip when riding on rough surfaces or making a sharp turn on a steep incline. The car was inspected on two separate occasions and the problem could not be replicated; however, the brake problem persists. Once I almost hit another vehicle on a highway when the car in front of me suddenly stopped; I also failed to stop at a stop sign and rolled into the intersection. Fortunately no other vehicles were on the road. If the brakes are hit twice (like double clutching) they do engage. The complaint to Honda failed to produce a positive result. …
Brakesi.com 301 main st, suite#19, san francisco, ca 94105 dba "callahan brake parts" sold on amazon.com this supplier has sold and is selling unsafe rebuilt brake calipers. There are several rubber seals in brake calipers. If a rubber part fails, water will enter critical parts causing them to rust and seize. This May result in unsafe brake operation or brake failure. On our car this caused a brake caliper to seize causing uneven braking. An inspection found all the rubber parts in the affected calipers had disintegrated. The calipers were approximately 22 months old. Clearly inferior rubber material was used in the manufacture of these products.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. While driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator also illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the compliance bushing fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. While driving 40 MPH, the contact heard a strange noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer diagnosed that the brakes failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,283.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic coupe. While stopped at a light the vehicle surged and crashed in another vehicle. She stated that her feet were on the brakes and she does not understand what happened. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 11,000. The current mileage was 12,356.
Once paint was recalled but not for the body of car that is doing the same. Paint is peeling on top of car and on both doors. Also sun visors were recal yet they are broke again. Also car has 11633 miles and I have replaced brakes 3 times.
When coming to a low speed stop the engine shuts off at about 6 MPH and the braking system goes manual reducing braking effect by over 60%. This has resulted in a minor accident requiring the replacement of the front bumper.
These hybrids have defective brake system. The problem is with the part Accumulator Set - Honda (57019-SNC-A02)
There has been no wreck or fire---this is a complaint for your TSB compilations....we have an 08 Civic lx: the transmission shifts roughly, and with delays. Slowing down and then re accelerating lightly causes a delay----as if the transmission/control module can't figure out which gear to get into--- and then a rough engagement. From d to reverse, there is a harder engagement than should be. It's as if there is a problem with the control module or the torque converter. My dealer says all these things are normal in a Civic auto transmission. We have an 07 accord exl and it has none of these problems, nor did any other vehicles I've had in the past with a.t. It seems there should be some control module reprogramming or software patch for this transmission. Also, as a safety problem, it is harder to see out of this windshield during rain, ESP. At night, than any car I've driven. …
Brake complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Honda Civic, 5% of the model year's 916 complaints. The component named most often is conventional › mechanical › linkage and cable (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Civic brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Honda Civic, though it has 7 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 2008 Honda Civic brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.