8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$240
Average Mileage:
51,450 miles
Total Complaints:
37 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. new brake pads (21 reports)
  2. new brake pads and rotors (11 reports)
  3. not sure (3 reports)
  4. lawyer up (1 reports)
  5. replace master brake cylinder (1 reports)
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problem #37

Apr 212019

Civic EX-L 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 241,000 miles

Premature brake wear. Always replacing the brakes and I am not a heavy footed brake pedal pusher.

- Lori P., Smithsburg, MD, US

problem #36

Mar 232018

Civic EX-L 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

Had brake pads and rotors replaced again..back drivers side and front drivers side. Metal to metal.

- Lori P., Smithsburg, MD, US

problem #35

Dec 272017

Civic EX-L 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167,800 miles

Had brakes replaced in August 2017 and down metal to metal day after Christmas

Update from Aug 27, 2018: Also had to replace caliper on front brake. Brake pads, rotors on back. All drivers side issues. Always drivers side especially back drivers side.

- Lori P., Smithsburg, MD, US

problem #34

Aug 272018

Civic EX-L 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 214,000 miles

Replacing brake pads, rotors and caliper on back drivers side.

- Lori P., Smithsburg, MD, US

problem #33

Jul 062018

Civic EX-L 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 193,000 miles

Metal to metal - back drivers side. Replaced with rotors and brake pads.

- Lori P., Smithsburg, MD, US

problem #32

May 172010

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

This was the first time I had my breaks repaired this was a few months after I purchased this car used. Since then I have had the breaks replaced two more times about every 14-16 months.

It is now 2/6/2015 and I am again having to replace my breaks. Being told over and over again that I am riding my breaks and that this is caused by my driving. I am out thousands of $$$$ for this getting the breaks replaced, the calipers rebuilt, and the rotors resurfaced. I have been told by Honda that it is not a parts issue but they have a class action lawsuit against them. The company where I had the breaks replaced at the last couple time tells me due to this lawsuit that my breaks are not covered under warranty anymore.

Is anyone else having any luck finding the real issue with these breaks? What is causing the calipers to not release. This has to be the issue because they are wearing uneven.

Thank you,

- Marlene K., Powder Springs, GA, US

problem #31

Feb 072014

Civic

  • Manual transmission
  • 64,490 miles

I had no idea that there were these major issues with the Civic. All the times I brought my car in for service, not once was the short rear control arm issue was mentioned. My feeling that snow and ice also played a role in shortening the life of my brakes.

- Joel W., Kalispell, MT, US

problem #30

Dec 092012

Civic EX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

The car is making a squeaking noice even when I am not breaking while driving. So I got it checked out today at firestone. They showed me the worn out rear brake pad and the metallic mechanical sensor is what is causing the squeaking sound is what they told me. Said they can replace it with a premium rear brake pads which will charge 130$ or 100$ for a not so premium one. However, both are ceramic brake pads. Another unpredictable expense which has now become predictable after reading all the complaints surrounding the issue. :( I had high hopes Honda!

- voracarious, Irvine, CA, US

problem #29

May 012011

Civic EX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I had to the brakes and rotors replaced and Honda would not do it under warranty.

- Debbie D., Ellington, CT, US

problem #28

Oct 012011

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

I can't believe how bad the brakes wore out on my car. It was making a terrible "sleigh bell" sound even when driving 70 mph on the freeway (without engaging the brakes). I thought something terrible was happening to my car and feared thousands worth of damage. My fiance took the car into Honda and the service dept said that it is the brake pads. My fiance knows a lot about cars so he really thought it was something worse than the brake pads. Honda said it would cost $165 to replace the brake pads. What a joke! My fiance promptly picked up my car and paid them $30 for "diagnosing" the problem. He went down to the auto parts store and spent $40.11 for new brake pads. 1 hour later, my car is fixed! My car only has 40,000 miles! The clerk at the auto parts store agreed that a car's brake pads should never wear out after 40,000 miles. I think there should be a recall after reading all of the complaints!

- Megan S., Oroville, CA, US

problem #27

Jan 102012

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

After replacing the front brake pads a month ago, I had to go back in only to find out the Master Brake Cylinder needs to be replaced.

- Kelly C., Sherman Oaks, CA, US

problem #26

Dec 012011

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

When I bought my car used from Honda, they had to replace the front brake pads. A little less than two years later I have to replace them again.

- Kelly C., Sherman Oaks, CA, US

problem #25

Sep 022010

Civic EX 1.8L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

I had purchased my 2008 Honda Civic EX brand new from Santa Ana Honda in California. At about the 39,000 mile mark, my rear passenger-side brake started making a squealing noise when I was driving and even more when I was braking. Of course it only made the noise about half the time I was driving so when I took it in to get it checked, I couldn't get it to make the noise for the mechanic. I later found out to through a second trip to the mechanic, that it was my brake pad indicator that was making the noise (I later looked in my Owner's Manual to find out what it was). So I got both my rear brake pads replaced. Now, Im having the same problem on my front driver-side brake and I'm only at 47,000 miles. I have to go to in to have my front pads replaced and I'm not happy about it. This is my first Honda Civic, having previously owned 3 different Toyota Tacomas. The earliest I ever had to get my brake pads replaced was at about 70,000 miles. This is BS!!!

- josh3983, Dana Point, CA, US

problem #24

Oct 152011

Civic EX 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,357 miles

Brakes have 5,503 miles and I'm grinding metal on metal in the front. I had them checked 3 months ago and had most of the pad left. Gwinnett Place Honda dealership does not acknowledge a problem. I traded in the car.

- Yvonne H., Lawrenceville, GA, US

problem #23

Mar 142011

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I bought a use Honda Civic in 2009 with 12,791 miles on it. A few months after driving the car my brakes started grinding and making awful noises. I had the brakes replaced at 16,000 miles and then at 30,000 miles it started doing it again. After taking it to Honda for replacement they stated that I am pretty much a bad driver and that I now needed to replace the front and back brakes and the front rotors. I have read everyone elses posts and see how upset they are. I think that I found someone that can help. If you had or are still having this problem contact Brian Keller at bmk@caddellchapman.com

- pgregory81, Apache Junction, AZ, US

problem #22

Feb 152011

Civic EXL 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,137 miles

Initially heard noise at rear of car at 18,000 miles. A trip to the Honda dealer indicated the noise to be the wear indicators on the rear brake pads. Service advisor said "yeah...we see that sometimes...will cost about $160.00 to replace pads...not covered by warranty". Had new pads installed (rather than paying diagnostic fee and replacing pads myself). I called American Honda...still waiting 2 months for a call back. Honda indicates they are not aware of any problem.....go figure.

Update from May 20, 2011: Called American Honda again...was told my case was referred to dealer and closed...started over. Received a call back finally from a "case manager". Finally got a check for $75.00 (BFD). Case manager states she is not a technichan and kept referring me to "accordsettlement.com". I had to keep telling her I had a CIVIC. It was like each day was a whole new experience...maybe that's why her name was Dawn. The $75 was not hardly worth the effort.

- Bernie L., Louisville, KY, US

problem #21

Mar 122011

Civic EX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,005 miles

Since Honda takes the position that brake work is not covered by warranty our opinion is that when it comes to brakes on a Honda you are wasting your time and money if you let a Honda dealer do it using Honda parts. Rather than using what we believe to be the inferior OEM Honda brake pads we decided to go with what we believe are superior Akebono Ceramic pads which we purchased on line from Tire Rack.

Our (me and my wife) 2008 Honda Civic Coupe EX automatic has 34,000 miles on it. We bought it new May 19, 2008 from Norm Reeves Honda West Covina California. On March 12, 2011 we took it to the same dealer to get what we guessed might be a brake scraping sound checked out. Our service advisor was Valentine Frausto. The service advisor told us it would cost $55.00 to check out the car and that the cost would be waived if it was a warranty issue. He also mentioned that he has seen Civics that needed brake pad replacement after as little as 10,000 miles and we should consider ourselves very lucky. We were shocked by that revelation and mentioned that we have a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer which has 145,000 miles and still has all of the original brake pads. He responded that the Trailblazer is a vehicle with big heavy duty brakes while the brakes on the Honda Civic are smaller and therefore wear out much faster. Upon doing some research we found that brake problems are very common on Honda Civics. After the service technician had inspected the vehicle Valentine Fruasto proposed replacing the rear brake pads with Honda OEM pads. We responded that we had no interest in replacing Honda brake pads with new Honda brake pads that have a history of excessively rapid wear. We asked that considering the circumstances he waive the $55.00 charge. He refused. Upon picking up the car we were provided an excerpt from Honda’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty with the following highlighted: “This New Vehicle Limited Warranty Does Not Cover: >Normal wear or deterioration of any part. >The replacement of expendable maintenance items (such as spark plugs, filters, wiper blades, or brake pads/linings) unless they are defective in material or workmanship.” Our view is that inadequate design is as much evidence of defective workmanship as would be sloppy assembly line practices. Honda apparently takes a different view.

- Victor I., Walnut, CA, US

problem #20

Aug 132008

Civic LX 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,000 miles

I bought the car brand new. at 8,000 miles my breaks went.. i went to the dealership where the manager literally yelled at me that I was driving too rough. I said that I did not, they made me pay for new pads and rotors. Went back after 16,000 miles for the same problem.. told them to check the calipers, they were sticking. DEALERSHIP MADE ME PAY FOR NEW ROTORS AND PADS EVEN THOUGH MY CALIPERS WERE STICKING!!!!

- megh1224, Mineola, NY, US

problem #19

Mar 042011

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

My front brake pads were done for after 18,000 miles. Making an awful grinding sound, squealing etc. Got them fixed. Now at 37,000 miles they have completely gone for the 2nd time and the rear are with them this time! Called Honda to let them know so that maybe someday they will realize they screwed up on brakes in the vehicle. Feels good to voice my opinion even if I don't get monetarily rewarded for it. :) Good luck people!

- Laura W., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #18

May 032010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

I've had 3 Accords before this Civic and they were all good cars - the last Accord had over 250000 mi. and very little issues. I went to the Civic and have regretted it ever since. The brakes chatter on slick roads. I had to replace the brake pads and rotors and the brakes are back to chattering on slick roads. Honda is sinking quickly into the crap of bad car makers! I'm thinking of dumping this garbage soon.

- Linda F., Sunbury, OH, US

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