10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,057 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Honda Civic brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Jun 032024

Civic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #31

Nov 182023

Civic

  • miles
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.

- Ukiah, CA, USA

problem #30

Jun 012021

Civic

  • miles
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.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #29

Feb 192021

Civic

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check vsa check power steering system malfunction during driving! vehicle breaking on its on randomly! I could have been in a fatal accident! vehicle is not functional due to these electrical errors!

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #28

Dec 022019

Civic

  • 123,000 miles
Was driving on interstate 70 in richmond Indiana was traveling in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway when all of a sudden my lights on my dash off licked on and off and I lost all electrical power including brakes steering and the engine I was able to force the vehicle and coast to a stop at an exit I turned on my hazards and my hazards were not working either so it was a complete electrical failure. In addition it was late in the evening so while I was driving and I lost all lights nobody could see me and I could not see anything this could've ended very tragically for me trying to move over as the speed limit posted in the area is 70 mph. In researching the issue I found multiple forums and posts regarding this same type of failure. Honda needs to fix this. Now I need to tow to a service center and see how much more money I will need to come up with to be able to drive my vehicle

- Sidney, OH, USA

problem #27

Jun 102018

Civic

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Bon Aqua, TN, USA

problem #26

Jun 042018

Civic

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am experiencing very rapid rear brake pad wear on my Civic. It is a 2012 model, and is driven quite normally as a commuter vehicle to and from work daily. In 2015 at about 60K miles, the rear pads were worn to 0%. I was surprised, but replaced them then. Just recently, at about 80K miles, I am just had my mechanic report they're back down to about 10% life and needing replacement soon. This is unnaturally fast, is expensive, and unsafe as mechanics and consumers are used to rear brakes wearing much more slowly than front brakes. In the same period of time, the front brakes are still the original pads, and are showing about 35% life remaining - they have never been replaced. I've read around on forums online, and this seems to be a recurring problem for other Civic owners.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #25

Jan 232018

Civic

  • 134,000 miles
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 (888) 794-1620) 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. The failure mileage was 134,000.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #24

Jan 272018

Civic

  • 39,324 miles
The brakes have failed on this car twice. We were fortunate that both times were in a parking lot and my daughter was able to stop the car with the emergency brake. At the same time the brakes went out the power steering went out as well and she had great difficulty turning the car as well as stopping it. The vehicle was stationary at the time, she was attempting to back out of a parking place one time and the second time was able to let the car roll forward in to an empty parking spot where she pulled the emergency brake.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #23

Aug 112016

Civic

  • 1 miles
I had been driving on the street for about 5 minutes with my two kids. I had stepped on my brakes a few times and everything seem to work. Suddenly, I needed to slow down and pressed on my brake and the brake was hard where I couldn't step down on it. It seemed like it got stuck. I kept pressing on it and it did not work. I started zig zagging back and forth on the road trying to get the car to stop. I was trying my best to control the car so I wouldn't run into a house or another car. I shifted the car to park and the car did not stop. All this time I kept trying to step on the brake and nothing would happen. Finally, my last resort I pulled the hand brake and the car finally stopped. My car got very damaged.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #22

Feb 062016

Civic

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Cortland, NY, USA

problem #21

Jul 012014

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
The brakes drag each time the brakes are applied, this is a constant issue. It has been for sometime now.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #20

Jul 162015

Civic

  • 15,000 miles
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.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #19

Mar 142015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 55,626 miles
Was driving around 50 mph when the light changed to yellow, when I tried to put on brakes they were gone and the steering was gone also, I did see a error message that stated to check power steering I was able to turn the car into a parking lot instead of going through the light. I cut off the car and re-started the car and the message and the check steering light were gone. It was as if the car lost power. I put my VIN in Honda's web site to check for a recall and there were not any. This could cause fatal accidents.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

problem #18

Jan 132015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 40,500 miles
While driving on hilly city streets during a snow storm, the vehicle stability control and ABS systems engaged, followed shortly by warning lights and messages that these systems needed attention. Despite parking the car and turning off the engine, a small motor within the "ABS modulator control unit" continued to operate and would not stop until I disconnected the battery. The modulator/control unit had to be replaced with a used unit costing $280, not counting diagnostic and labor charges. (total repair cost: $602.) a new unit would have cost over $1000. The used part came with a "lifetime warrantee." It seems that the original device should have been warranteed beyond the standard 3yr/30,000 mile limit as it is an important safety feature. Despite similar complaints posted on various websites, this problem has not been addressed with a recall.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #17

Jan 102015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
On Saturday January 10 2015 I was driving I was coming to a intersection when the stop light change I press on my brakes and my car did not stop even after I was pumping it. It did nothing my steering became locked the only recourse I had was to pull the emergency brakes to prevent my car from hitting anyone. I ending up in the middle of the intersection. Even after I was able to stop and move my car away the brakes and steering did not work. This is now preventing me from driving since I don't know if and when it might happen again. Also I have notice any one that is sitting in the passenger seat and is seat belted the sensor is not able to recognized that it giving alert that the person need to put on the seat belt this is a safety concern that Honda refuse to acknowledge.....updated 01/23/15

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #16

Dec 052014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 15,539 miles
Was driving on freeway in heavy traffic, car in front braked, hit brakes and they just went to the floor with no effort to stop the vehicle. Slammed into car in front with our 4 and 5 year old boys in back seat. Geico called the car a total loss. Honda refuses to inspect the car in fear of manufacturer defects. To make it worse the airbags didn't deploy. Roads were dry, no ice or anything else to cause inability to stop.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #15

Sep 062014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Driverside rear brake pads and rotor excessive wear more than front disc brakes. Usually the front disc brake pads have to be replaced before the rear.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #14

May 062014

Civic

  • 7,000 miles
Twice I was stopped and foot on brake. Car rolled into car up front. My foot was still on the brake. I read that other people had the same problem. My insurance paid for one auto and the other let it go.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

problem #13

May 272014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 19,822 miles
I was driving on an exit ramp from a highway, car was coasting, and as I was approaching the stop sign, I applied the brakes softly, the car started slowing down further due to braking and then suddenly came to a brutal stop with tires screeching. Engine was stalled, automatic gear had shifted in neutral by itself, and there was a burning smell in the car. Fortunately there was no car behind me, otherwise it would have not been possible to prevent being rear-ended. The 25 mph speed is approximate as I was decelerating. A similar situation on a highway when traffic slows down could have dramatic consequences, causing a pile-up and possibly multiple deaths and injuries. I will drive the car very carefully to the dealership today. The car was purchased certified pre-owned yesterday.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

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