2012 Honda Civic Brakes Problems

ABS/VSA module faulty. Upon internet research it seems to be a very common problem among owners of this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11640980

Incident

Jan 24, 2025

Driving around town, I stopped our 2012 Honda Civic at a stoplight. The brake pedal vibrated from the ABS modulator, then went all the way to the floor. I had the brake system checked at a workshop, bled the brake lines, and the same situation repeated. It was recommended I replace the brake modulator and brake pump. I called our Honda dealer and the brake pump is on hard backorder with no indication of when or if it will be available. A check of junkyards showed very few of these pumps potentially available, indicating demand is very strong. Many of the Civics in the junkyards we saw were totalled due to front end collissions. Perhaps they discovered the brake issue too late? The car is not driveable. After reviewing forums and [XXX] there were many reports of brake problems with 2012 - 13 Honda Civics. I believe this warrants a close look. Brakes are the most important part of any motor vehicle in my opinion, and until there is a remedy my car will sit as a 3,000 lb paperweight. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11620669

Incident

Aug 12, 2024

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)

NHTSA ID

11596214

Incident

Jun 3, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11556312

Incident

Nov 18, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11429864

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

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!

NHTSA ID

11397155

Incident

Feb 19, 2021

Mileage

91,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11286520

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

123,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11101596

Incident

Jun 10, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11099981

Incident

Jun 4, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

11071957

Incident

Jan 23, 2018

Mileage

134,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11065448

Incident

Jan 27, 2018

Mileage

39,324 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10895368

Incident

Aug 11, 2016

Mileage

1 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10838022

Incident

Feb 6, 2016

Mileage

74,000 mi

THE BRAKES DRAG EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN FOR SOMETIME NOW. *JS

NHTSA ID

10817126

Incident

Jul 1, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID

10743534

Incident

Jul 16, 2015

Mileage

15,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10694294

Incident

Mar 14, 2015

Mileage

55,626 mi

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. *JS

NHTSA ID

10681766

Incident

Jan 13, 2015

Mileage

40,500 mi

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 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

10671660

Incident

Jan 10, 2015

Mileage

23,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667165

Incident

Dec 5, 2014

Mileage

15,539 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10641471

Incident

Sep 6, 2014

Mileage

35,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10631251

Incident

May 6, 2014

Mileage

7,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10594252

Incident

May 27, 2014

Mileage

19,822 mi

I CAME UPON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAME TO MY STOP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME FAILED TO STOP AND HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS TURNED OFF AND ON. THIS INCLUDED MY MOTOR, GAUGES, AND RADIO. THIS PUSHED ME INTO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THAT MY CARS I-MID DISPLAY SHOWED TO CHECK MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALSO MY SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP MY HEAD FROM HITTING MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE A STRAIN IN MY UPPER LUMBAR OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BACK. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10592245

Incident

May 16, 2014

I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT A LOT OF 2012 CIVIC OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANNOYING PROBLEMS LIKE CLUNKING NOISE ON THE SUSPENSION OR UNDER THE CAR, LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE LIKE AXLE SHAFT IS DISENGAGING, LOUD NOISE WHEN PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, CLUNKING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ROLLING NOISE ON THE SEAT BELTS, CLUNKING LOUD NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND RELEASING GAS PEDAL, RATTLING NOISE IN THE MORNING WHILE WARMING UP THE ENGINE AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING. ATF LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS IS NOT TIGHTENED...ETC. I THINK THIS 2012 HONDA CIVIC MODELS SHOULD BE RECALL BY AMERICAN HONDA MOTORS. YOU CAN CHECK THE INTERNET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL!!!?????? IT IS VERY ANNOYING. I AM ONLY CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HOPE THE US GOVERMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10556293

Incident

Oct 23, 2013

Mileage

15,200 mi

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN URBAN AREA IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDDLE GOT SPONGY AND ABOUT 60 SECONDS LATER, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO STOPPING POWER. AT NO POINT, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OR AFTER THE INCIDENT DID ANY KIND OF WARNING LIGHT APPEAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. GRADUALLY THE BRAKING POWER CAME BACK TO ABOUT 50% AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SOME 20 MILES AWAY. STILL - NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE PROBLEM ON THE CAR BEING DRIVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON (WHICH IT WAS NOT EXCEPT FOR THE INITIAL EMERGENCY STOP). THEY DON'T SEEM BOTHERED THAT ALL BRAKING POWER WAS LOST ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED. THE CAR REQUIRES NEW REAR BRAKES TO MAKE IT DRIVE-ABLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER THEIR MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10551089

Incident

Nov 5, 2013

Mileage

12,400 mi