16 year old daughter hit a bridge with the front driver side, totalled car, airbags did not deploy and brakes failed. Photos available.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

I have a 2000 Honda Civic ex. From the first day of ownership, the car's antiskid brakes sometimes kick in when not needed. For example, riding over bumps such as a railroad sometimes sets the antiskid off and it continues for some time after the railroad has passed, thus unnecessarily increasing stopping distance. Sometimes just on plain road it does the same. It seems to occur more in cold weather. We have a 2000 Accord and it doesn't act this way. I have driven many other Honda's and none ever acted this way. I am afraid this major safety defect may someday lead to a very serious accident. I have complained long and hard to Honda corporation, but they insist the described problem is impossible to occur. They maintain that the brakes are a 'black box', and either work perfect or not, all the time. They have looked at the car, and said since they claim they cannot duplicate the problem and since it can't possibly occur anyway in their opinion, I am out of luck. Surely my Honda is not the only car this ever occurred in. It is almost like something is loose, like a sensor or a right front suspension component(s). Please help before Honda corporation kills someone. I have told Honda that I personally hold them accountable for any accident. Thanks. J ricky simmons

- Aurora, IL, USA

ABS light came on. Taken to dealer. Currently, ABS light on again, and a rubber like smell in vehicle. Please add additional information.

- Marino Valley, CA, USA

From the first day I drove the Civic home there has always been a severe vibration coming from the ABS everytime I hit a bump or pothole-I usually feel these vibration at low speeds as when I am driving out of my bumping driveway, the vibration is really severe when I am apply the brakes to not hit a bump or pothole too hard. I really didnt give it much thought (figured I was just needing to get used to new technology) until while driving at slow speed (25 or less) on an icy city of tulsa, ok, evertime I applied the brakes gently to come to a stop at a stop light the front brakes vibrated violently & locked up preventing me from coming to a safe stop. Once the brakes locked the Civic immediately went into a slide & only stopped when it's momentum slowed down. The brakes were absolutely useless in stopping the vehicle by gently slowing it down as has been normal with every other vehicle I have ever owned. I was so afraid of the brakes that I tested them on the bumping gravel road just before I got home that afternoon and sure enough they locked up again under more pressure than needed under normal braking conditions. I discussed this problem with don carlton Honda's service supervisor today (02/16/01) when I took the car in for it's oil change. I was told that this is the way Honda's ABS operates and the brakes are designed for dry weather & smooth road conditions and if the brakes ever sense slipping or rough conditions they will "always" lock up because of their design and that there is nothing to be fixed or that can be done by Honda to correct the problem. I find this explanation "absurd" and "ridiculous" -how could brakes this dangerous be considered normal. The only reason I didn't plow into someone that icy day is because luckily for anyone else & me there was no car or person in front of me when I tried to stop on the icy city street. Please help me if you can-I am now scared to drive this car.

- Chouteau, OK, USA

While driving 65mph applied brakes to slow down, released brakes, and applied brakes again. But, had no brakes, and rear ended another vehicle in front. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. No injuries.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

While driving about 55 mph and applying brakes to reduce speed, rear ended another vehicle. But, none of the air bags deployed.

- Beaverton, OR, USA