Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at about 40 mph the car suddenly started to pull toward the left. I pressed on the brake pedal as I steered to the right to try to bring the car back to my lane but I noticed the brake pedal was already very hard. In a second the car skidded out of control toward the right side of the road and it slammed its left side against some big rocks. The driver's door window broke and the side airbags deployed. The big rocks kept us from going into the water of a lake that the road runs next to. The passengers in the car were myself and my wife and were not injured but it was a very terrifying incident and the consequences could have been a lot worse. The vehicle has been released to Progressive, the Insurance Company.
Driving around town, I stopped our 2012 Honda Civic at a stoplight. The brake pedal vibrated from the ABS modulator, then went all the way to the floor. I had the brake system checked at a workshop, bled the brake lines, and the same situation repeated. It was recommended I replace the brake modulator and brake pump. I called our Honda dealer and the brake pump is on hard backorder with no indication of when or if it will be available. A check of junkyards showed very few of these pumps potentially available, indicating demand is very strong. Many of the Civics in the junkyards we saw were totalled due to front end collissions. Perhaps they discovered the brake issue too late? The car is not driveable. After reviewing forums and [redacted] there were many reports of brake problems with 2012 - 13 Honda Civics. I believe this warrants a close look. …
ABS Control Module leads fell off. The 2012 Honda Civic has a sealed ABS/VSA control module. This module has leads connected with rigid solid core cables that are known to disconnect and fall off due to natural heat and vibration. This happened with my vehicle. The vehicle lost acceleration, power steering, dash lights, and power breaking on the highway. When I attempted to restart it all of my lights came on: charging system, VSA, ABS, Power Steering, and Power Breaking. For more information see [redacted]
The parking brake control knob has broken off and parking brake can not be released without inserting a long object into release button. If I engage the parking brake it is stuck in that position and car will not move. If I don't engage the parking brake then there is no parking brake. If parking on an incline, it is a struggle to move out of park. An independent service center has tried to order a replacement part. Honda says there is not replacement part. There are no warning lights.
Failed braking after repairing 9/14/26, Sun Auto did not bleed my brakes after installing front pads and rear shoes. When I brought this to the Service writer's attention on 9/18/26 his response was that I did not purchase the brake fluid service. Yes an independent Brake shop inspected and resolved the issue.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Honda Civic. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The driver's air bag deployed and caused irritation to the face. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company who advised him to have the vehicle inspected for the brake failure. The contact stated that diamond valley Honda (300 carriage cir, hemet, ca 92545 [phone]) was contacted, but declined to inspect the vehicle due to the body damage and air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the brake line and the brake line needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to being deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
My car (manual) was parked in first gear on an incline in my jobsite parking lot. The emergency brake was not engaged. Within 1-2hrs it rolled back nearly hitting my place of business and an ac unit. It is all on camera. It rolled some, then stopped, then again rolled and stopped. It has never done this in the past but I typically have the e-brake engaged. Days before, I was sitting in my same vehicle after it was parked for several minutes and it jerked suddenly. It did not roll back at this time.
For manual transmissions rpms remain high even after foot is off the gas pedal consequently making it impossible to match rpms and causing premature failure to friction disks (clutch). Un necessary wear causing 1200+ in repairs. Brakes locked up on highway.. Lost control spun 5 times and even after new alternator.. The RPM never reduces properly.. Had in shop 3 x's set at your spec is wrong to make brake elease jerk, car shake at lights and causes me to rear end another car. 2/6/16
Was following 2 car lengths behind a truck when a driver from the oncoming side of traffic fell asleep and rolled into median threatening to continue rolling onto our side of the road. Truck ahead of me slammed on brakes and in turn I slammed on brakes and ran into the back of the truck ahead of me. ABS brakes did not pump and work as they should have. Car written up as totaled by geico.
The Civic I have is only for 3 month and around 3000 miles. It was a sunny day, the road is dry. I drive like around 50 miles/hr on grand central parkway in ny, suddenly I saw people hit the break in front of me, then I hit the break as soon as I can. I didnt hit the break to the end (just around half) but the tire start to scream. I release the break a little bit and hit it again but the tire still scream and I keep sliding. I slide with my tire locked for more the 5 car distance. The tires keep screaming and I couldnt stop. Then I hit the car in front of me. I have a driving recorder and record everything. Which I upload to youtube. Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctu66kpo8ym after the car fixed by the body shop, the car become better. The body shop had change a new ABS system and break and reset the computer in the car. Now the break is more sharp then before and the ABS work fine. …
Brake complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Honda Civic, 9% of the model year's 456 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda Civic brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 Honda Civic, though it has 3 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 2012 Honda Civic brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 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.