Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% | — |
| 2025 | 9 | 11% | 8,000 miles |
| 2024 | 7 | 5% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 14 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 23 | 3% | 27,000 miles |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% | 108,000 miles |
| 2020 | 17 | 7% | 20,000 miles |
| 2019 | 31 | 7% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 25 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2017 | 39 | 6% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 96 | 9% | 23,000 miles |
| 2015 | 15 | 4% | 46,000 miles |
| 2014 | 18 | 6% | 25,000 miles |
| 2013 | 39 | 12% | 15,000 miles |
| 2012 | 40 | 9% | 18,000 miles |
| 2011 | 33 | 20% | 18,000 miles |
| 2010 | 90 | 23% | 20,000 miles |
| 2009 | 51 | 13% | 23,000 miles |
| 2008 | 42 | 5% | 24,000 miles |
| 2007 | 43 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2006 | 62 | 4% | 45,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 3% | 95,000 miles |
| 2003 | 34 | 7% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 24 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2001 | 47 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2000 | 14 | 5% | 58,000 miles |
| 1999 | 18 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% | 115,000 miles |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% | 68,000 miles |
| 1996 | 61 | 20% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 13 | 7% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Brakes I wasn't able to stop when I got to the intersection. My emergency brake system never turned on and stop me from hitting the rear of the ambulance. I had called my sales man that I buy my cars from about a week after buying the car and advised him that something popped up on my dash and he adviced me to take the car back to the dealer to have it checked out so I did and they said there was nothing wrong with it. So I left and about 2 or 3 weeks later it came back on and before I could take it back to dealer I had the accident. Also what popped up on my dash was that my view was being obscured but it was day light perfectly clear. I do have a picture of what popped up on my phone.
I bought my 2026 Honda Civic a month ago and hadn't driven it very far. At a stoplight, the car stalled and various warning lights came on--for the brake, the CPU, and then almost all the warning lights came on. I was stranded at a light and afraid for my life and the safety of th other motorists. After numerous attempts, I got the car started again, but it stalled twice again on the way to the dealership. The problem was inspected by the Honda Dealership, who claim that the ordeal was because of a "puncture" in the radiator which was caused by a road event, and which somehow overwhelmed the CPU. I have tried to take this up with the dealer and Honda corporate, but see no other recourse for letting them know the danger I was put in. …
The contact owned a 2025 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed into a parking spot, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to come to a stop. The vehicle drove over a parking median in front and struck a tree. The contact then attempted to steer the vehicle to the left, but crashed into another vehicle on the passenger side. The vehicle flipped onto its driver's side, where it came to a stop. The message "Brake" was then displayed. The air bags deployed, shattering the front driver's side window. OnStar came on the speakers and informed the contact that help was on the way. The EMT arrived, and the contact was able to exit the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact sustained injuries to her left shoulder and arm, as well as a sore neck and stomach. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. …
I was turning into a parking space in my 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Touring, in a plaza area. As I depressed the brake, I felt some pressure, but then all of a sudden it went straight to the ground, which caused my car to go over a landscape median, and hit the tree in the middle of it, causing my car to hit a stationary vehicle on the other side to the right, which in-turn caused my car to flip on it's drivers side. All of the airbags deployed and my driver's window was broken. My arm was injured and scraped but not broken. As I was waiting for the EMTs while sitting there, I noticed a warning circle with Bright Red Bold Letters that said BRAKE in the middle. My only thought was to shut the car off immediately. The manufacturer and insurance have given me a runaround regarding having someone to investigate/inspect the brake system, no success so far. …
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the brakes made a squeaking sound while reversing. The contact stated that the failure only occurred after starting the vehicle for the first time in the day. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with moisture on the brakes; however, no repair was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
The cotter pin and washer nuts connecting the brake pedal to the brake booster are completely missing from my vehicle. Unsure if it was even installed when I purchased the vehicle in 2024. Noticed the issue last Friday the 13th of February, 2026. brought it into a dealership Tuesday the 17th of February, 2026. They diagnosed that the pin was completely gone, which if such was the case i am unsure as to how i've been driving the vehicle normally until Friday, but if its just not there then I have reason to suspect that it was never installed properly in the first place, and through normal wear and tear it finally decided to give? But that still wouldn't explain why its completely missing, and not in the car.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the cruise control suddenly would not deactivate causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. The contact indicated that prior to the crash the cruise control did not deactivate when pressing the brake pedal and did not shut off while manually pressing the cruise control deactivation switch. Also, during the crash no airbags deployed and no injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,300.
I was doing 28 mph with both hands on the steering wheel and was about to start declining down a hill, so I lightly touch the brakes. The car left the roadway. The steering wheel never turned. I hit a pile of rocks which launched me into the air landing on a 500 pound boulder which totaled my vehicle. There was only 561 miles on the car and as a result my insurance tripled. I know suffer from PTSD because I no longer trust any vehicle! I also had a very sore neck for weeks following the landing. I reported to the insurance company which was Progressive that there is definitely a defect within the car. I even reported it to the regional office as well. Nobody seems to care! I am a good driver, and at the age of 51 I have not had any accidents. I have no doubt in my mind that the 2023, Honda Civic has a major defect and many lives are at risk!
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring
On certain vehicles, the wheel speed sensor housing uses an o-ring seal to prevent leakage to or from the wheel bearing. If assembled improperly, the o-ring May not seal properly allowing water to enter the wheel bearing and eventually cause damage to the bearing, especially in areas where use of road salt is prevalent.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear ABS sensors and wheel bearings for damaged parts and replace them free of charge. The recall began on September 25, 2007. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
A soapy lubricant was used to insert the check valve into the vacuum hose which causes the brake booster check valve to stick.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the check valve by washing the vacuum hose with hot water.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Civic years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (96), 2010 (90), 2006 (62), 1996 (61) and 2009 (51) model years. Brake complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Honda Civic brake problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 23V-458 (master cylinder, Jun 29, 2023); 23V-430 (control unit/module, Jun 15, 2023); 16V-725 (parking brake, Oct 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Civic brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (71 mentions), followed by the foundation components (30).
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.