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 2016 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's parent owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the parent was parking into a parking space, and straightening the steering wheel; the brake pedal depressed but the vehicle continued to drive. Several warning messages were displayed "Vehicle Stability Assist Problem", "Power System Steering Problem", "Hill Start Assist Problem", "Emissions Systems Problem", "Brake Hold System Problem", and "Brake System Problem". The driver noticed that the brake pedal failed to respond and the vehicle rapidly accelerated, causing the vehicle to crash into two medians and crash into a parked and unoccupied Ford Edge vehicle at unknown speeds. The stationary vehicle was pushed halfway out of the parking spot. No air bags deployed, and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as an ABS System Module failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V725000 (Parking Brake). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
I'm the original and only owner of the vehicle, which has less than 36,000 miles. My Civic has only ever been serviced by Honda dealerships, and I can provide maintenance records upon request. A failure of this nature to the braking system can only be caused by a defective part. In fact, I had my brakes inspected by Honda at 33,000 miles, and Honda gave my brakes a clean bill of health. While driving my vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly was unable to be depressed except with extreme foot pressure; it felt like a brick had been placed under my brake pedal. The stopping power was substantially diminished. It took multiple, very strong brake pumps to slow and stop my vehicle, meaning I was unable to stop in the event of an emergency. I took the car immediately to a Honda dealership. …
ABS malfunction. The malfunction problem showed up on the dash and the car would not drive properly causing several messages to come on. Once I stopped and turned off the car I started if back up and went a few yard and the car started to malfunction and the message appeared again. I immediately called a foreign car specialist and was told there is a recall. I looked up the recall and it stated the same exact issue for Honda Civics years 2016-2022. I have had the car towed to two auto shops and both stated that there is a recall for the problem I am having and that they are seeing more of this issue on the Civics. I am a dialysis patient and need reliable transportation. I have about 8 months left to pay the car note in full and would really appreciate it if this could be addressed. Sincerely I am, [redacted]
Honda did a software update on my vehicle tied to the recall below. The dealership stated to me that they need to replace the VSA modulator and they are claiming this is not covered since they did the software update a few years ago. I believe they are directly corollated as I don't drive the car much only have 27K miles on the car. They are asking me to the pay for replacing the modulator VSA and are stating that this is not covered under the recall. It's hard for me to beleive how they are unrelated if the software is causing the unit to malfunction and we know the unit needs replacement there is a direct connection. This is costing me $2500. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:16V-725 MFR CAMPAIGN ID:KC6 CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION:VSA Software Update/EPB RECALL DATE:10/06/2016 RECALL STATUS:17 Character VIN Required
Honda knew of an issue with their Electronic Parking Brake system which required a software update per service bulletin 17-007 since January 17, 2017. Honda claims that the issue was not associated with my 2016 Civic Coupe EXL VIN however on Oct 29, 2023 my Civic threw this error which then cost me $112 for the service center to diagnose and an additional $150 for the software update to be installed. Total cost of $262 for an item that Honda knew was an issue and never addressed on my vehicle. This issue creates a dangerous and possibly life threatening situation which Honda is fully aware and should be held liable. American Honda states that my vehicle was not effected however I disagree as the photos and failure occurred. I was expecting more fro Honda.
I have noticed for a while now. When the light turns green or I'm at a stop and I have enough time to take off the car does not move when I apply the gas. It stalls and that scares me. I have noticed my cruise control shut off the other day when driving on the freeway. And I could not turn it back on. Now when I try to apply the parking bake when I'm parked the parking brake does not turn on nor the brake hold. The lights keep flashing than turn odd My headlight in the front and back passenger don't work. I've switched out the bulbs and it's an electrical problem. I see recalls on some of these matters but honda won't do nothing because it's not on their system when I bought this car in 2016.
Car suddenly had many warning lights. A red "BRAKE" light flashes. Lane keep and adaptive cruise stopped working. The steering feels numb and doesn't return to center. Took to dealer for diagnostic. They reported a VSA computer module failure. Researching VSA failure I found there is a company that will overhaul used / non working VSA units. The repair involves resoldering connections that work loose from normal driving. The design is awful and it's not surprising these units fail. Gasket material is pressed directly against the solder joints.
Air conditioner in my 2016 Honda Civic has never worked. Condenser or compressor needs to be replaced continues to leak throughout system and is defective. Emergency Brake malfunction does not work and poses as a safety issue. Left head lamp doesn't work due to excessive heat exposure in Nevada.
BRAKES they stop too slow and I need to push fes time to made it stop, that made me very insecure and unsafe. AC stop working is only hot air what is coming out, since is to hot is impossible ti drive like that.
Related recalls
Parking brake
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the EPB to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016.
Brake complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2016 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Honda Civic, 9% of the model year's 1,082 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda Civic brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-725 (parking brake, Oct 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda Civic brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.