2013 Honda Civic Brakes Problems

The ABS misfired and locked my brakes without warning during normal driving. This was without pumping the brakes or any engagement of the brake system.

NHTSA ID

11745914

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment regarding the ongoing VSA/ABS module failure in my 2013 Honda Civic Si. This issue, common among Honda vehicles from 2013–2017, has caused significant stress, both financially and emotionally. The ABS module in my vehicle has malfunctioned, affecting the vehicle’s anti-lock braking and stability assist systems. This is a serious safety concern, as the failure could impair the car’s ability to brake effectively, especially in adverse driving conditions. The failure of this critical component puts my safety, and the safety of others, at risk.I took my car to two separate service centers, a certified Honda dealer and a Honda tuner shop, both of which confirmed the ABS module failure. They quoted over $2,200 for installation and reprogramming of a new module, which itself costs approximately $1,800. The car has had recurring ABS and VSA warning lights for several weeks prior to the issue becoming critical, and I was not informed by Honda about any recalls or known issues with the module. But this is common. As a loyal Honda customer, I am extremely disappointed that I have to shoulder the cost of what seems to be a widespread design flaw. I am requesting that Honda take responsibility for this issue and assist in covering the repair costs, as this is not an isolated problem but a defect in vehicles from this generation.

NHTSA ID

11713974

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

I was driving 35 MPH toward a busy intersection when I lost my brakes and power. A service message “IMA CHECK SYSTEMS” light lit up on the dash. I lost brakes and power while entering an intersection putting myself and other drivers in danger of an accident narrowly missing a container truck. The car shut off with my front end in the intersection. I was able to restart the car and drive it to the nearest garage. They connected the code machine to the vehicle showing “P1437.” I then had my car towed to the nearest Honda dealership. They told me my VIN was not listed under service bulletin 20-030 even though my car fit all of the parameters and showed the same code(s). After giving me a quote of $1900+ to fix the issue, they are claiming to have fixed the problem but I am questioning if the real issues were fixed and if I am responsible for any costs.

NHTSA ID

11701597

Incident

Oct 30, 2025

Several warning lights on the dashboard illuminated: powersteering warning, ABS system warning, VSA warning. We had to pay almost $300 for dealer diagnostics which advised our ABS VSA module must be replaced, reprogrammed and brake fluid bleed otherwise our ABS brake system would fail. There are hundreds of similar complaints on-line of Honda owners with the exact issue costing over $3000 to make the repair. It will cost us almost $2600 for the repair. This appears to be a defect in Honda's VSA Module circuitboard across several models (Accord, Civic).

NHTSA ID

11688767

Incident

Sep 11, 2025

I stepped on brakes and airbags opened up on my steering wheels made me hit

NHTSA ID

11658235

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

The ABS module is defective. I was told by the auto repair shop that he has been getting a lot of Honda vehicles that have defective ABS modules and that it should have a recall on this vehicle. This is dangerous for my vehicle to be on the road. The auto place is having a hard time finding a replacement part for my car. If this is happening to many other cars this should be a recall.

NHTSA ID

11635587

Incident

Jan 9, 2025

Wheel bearing

NHTSA ID

11632953

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

Purchased November 2023 not even 1 week warning lamps, messages / adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, brake systems, failure lights alarming at the same time. Took to dealer cleared sensors. A matter of days alarms going off again. Call dealer they want to keep vehicle for diagnostic. When they did diagnostic it was another problem. They repair guy also mentioned not to apply E-brake. He said their is a possibility that it may completely lock. I will be taking vehicle to another dealership for 2nd opinion.

NHTSA ID

11580990

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

Warning lights appeared on my dashboard one morning. I took it to a honda dealer in frisco tx and they advised that my VSA module that controls my ABS system has failed. They advised the part is on back order and could not provide any repairs due to that. Currently my ABS system does not function due to the the failed part that Honda can not replace. They also would not provide repairs even I could source a used part.

NHTSA ID

11540906

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

The VSA modulator is a known issue from honda. Mine went out while going down the highway. So many have gone bad recently that the modular is hard to get due to backorder. Warning lamps: Check brake system, Check ABS system, Check VSA & Check Power Steering. First three were one after another. Check power steering was about 10 seconds after the others.

NHTSA ID

11537066

Incident

Aug 6, 2023

The component that has failed is the abs modulator system. The problem with the abs modulator failing on me puts me and my family at great risk including death because the abs modulator works alongside with the brakes, power steering and the vsa system all of which are the main components to a cars safety. Yes I have take my Honda to a certified technician who informed me that the and modulator has gone bad and will need to be replaced immediately due my safety alongside everyone who is on the road. Lastly when I first purchased the car everything my worked fine and their were no problems whatsoever until one day I was driving down the road and suddenly the abs light, power steering light, vsa light, and brake light all turned on which led to my car having horrible performance alongside my brakes feeling sloppy as well as my steering literally moving even though I was going straight. Overall I hope that you will finally do something about this problem because it is very frustrating.

NHTSA ID

11535381

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

There are four lights with a warning that shows up and stay on Check Brake, Power Steering, ABS and VBS Systems. These four lights occurs immediately or even occasionally delayed but they appear everytime my vehicle is running. It is the VSA System per service repair shop. This is a known problem for the Honda Civic 2013 and also Honda Accord. My concern is when these lights are present there is a safety hazard issue. A recall should HAPPEN. My thorough research shows that it should’ve been a recall in the USA for vehicles in 2012-2013 regarding an expansion of VSA Non-compliance Recall: 2012-2013 Honda Fit done free of charge. This article was July 23, 2013 and it was a little over 48,000 vehicles. They all qualified for a repair if indicated. The repairs happened in Thailand but not USA. The repairs are very, very costly. I’m the only owner of my vehicle and purchased new.

NHTSA ID

11523655

Incident

May 1, 2023

Traveling down Interstate 49 in Arkansas. Hit a patch of "chicken byproduct" that was spilled on the highway. My car fishtailed. VSA module out of service. Did a vehicle diagnostic scan on it. Scanner said VSA module malfunctioning. No ABS past 30 mph. Took vehicle to shop. They said VSA module needed to be replaced. VSA is suppose to be a safety mechanism in the 2013 Honda Civic. I have read that I am not the only owner to have this problem. Should be a recall. They are expensive to replace.

NHTSA ID

11523064

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

ABS check light, VSA check light, Power Steering light comes on. They come on everytime the car is started. Sometimes it is immediately. Sometimes it is delayed. The lights come in that order. My car diagnostic scanning tool says ABS will fail at 30 mph. I lack the funds to get car looked at.

NHTSA ID

11485591

Incident

Sep 20, 2022

Check brake system, check powertrain system, check VAS system keeps making notifications to be checked.

NHTSA ID

11475976

Incident

Jul 11, 2022

THE VSA MODULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE AND PART ARE CURRENTLY WITH A DEALERSHIP [FOR ONE MONTH AT TIME OF MESSAGE] AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE VSA CONTROLS WHEEL SPIN AND BRAKING ALONG WITH OTHER FUNCTIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MADE IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. BRAKING WAS NOT THE SAME. THE PART WAS INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT WORK ON. AS A RESULT THE PART MUST BE REPLACED. WHEN CAR STARTED ABS, POWER STEERING, AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11419282

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, I HAVE HAD MY CALIPERS AND ROTORS CHANGED 6 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A HONDA CIVIC DESIGN ISSUE. THAT BEING SAID ON NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS COMING OFF AN INTERSTATE OR MANY STOPS IN THE CITY MY CAR WILL NOT STOP NO MATTER WHAT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS TO BE PULLED. IT IS WORSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN THE CAR. THE BRAKES HEAT UP SO MUCH THAT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ID

11413074

Incident

Apr 20, 2021

Mileage

93,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING NORMAL ON A BUSY STREET (WITH GAS IN MY TANK) AND SUDDENLY MY CAR AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND KEPT FLASHING. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ABS EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHTS SHOWED UP ON THE SCREEN AND EVERYTHING IN MY CAR STARTED FLASHING AND AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OVER. THE CAR WOULDN'T BREAK EVEN WHEN I WAS PRESSING ON THE BREAK, IT KEPT MOVING EVEN WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TOOK OVER! MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY STREET BY ITSELF. THE EMERGERNCY BREAK LIGHTS ALSO DIDNT TURNED OFF! IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT BECAUSE, I WAS ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR LOCKED AND SHUT OFF. RIGHT NOW I HAD TO GET AAA TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE, NOTHING IS TURNING ON. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS AN MANUFACTURING ISSUE OR NOT?!

NHTSA ID

11404489

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY ABS, VSA AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. HONDA DEALER TOLD ME IT COSTS $1,600 TO 'REPLACE' ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS OBSCENE AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AND HE DIDN'T EVEN MENTION A FIX FOR VSA OR POWER STEERING. I TESTED A HARD BRAKE AND ABS FAILED. WHAT IF MY POWER STEERING FAILS DURING A TURN AND I HIT SOMEONE? HONDA SERVICE TECH SAID SCANS COULD NOT INDICATE A FIX. GOOGLE / YOU TUBE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH HONDA CIVIC AND ACORDS. A SIMPLE FUSE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE FUSE AND REPLACE THEM FOR VEHICLE OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11195717

Incident

Apr 4, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

I PURCHASED A USED 2013 CIVIC SEDAN FROM A PRIVATE SELLER ON MARCH 23RD 2018. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF THE CREDIT UNION WHERE I MET THE SELLER THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE A STEERING WHEEL WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT CAME ON ON THE DASH, AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I PUT IT IN PARK, HIT THE HAZARDS AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FEAR OF HITTING SOMEONE. I CONTACTED THE SELLERS AND THEY CAME BACK. WE DISCUSSED HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SHOP, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER GOT IN IT, TO RE-PARK IT SOMEWHERE MORE OUT OF THE WAY WHILE WE WAITED FOR AAA. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR STARTED UP FINE, NO WARNING LIGHT WAS PRESENT AND HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT INTO A PARKING SPOT. HE SUGGESTED THAT HE JUST DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP, AND I RIDE OVER THERE WITH HIS WIFE. SO WE DID, AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AT THE SHOP, AND INFORMED ME THAT IT DIDN'T THROW ANY CODES, AND THAT "THE COMPUTER DOESN'T LIE" THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT DROVE OVER THERE FINE, TO JUST TAKE IT HOME, AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. SO I DID, AND I DROVE IT AROUND FOR A COUPLE WEEKS UNTIL ON THE 5TH OF APRIL, AGAIN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YELLOW STEERING WHEEL LIGHT AND ALL. EXCEPT THIS TIME THE BRAKES FAILED TOO. NOT ONLY COULD I NOT STEER, I COULD NOT STOP. I ENDED UP DRAGGING THE FRONT END OVER A FLOWERBED WITH A CURB, AND RIPPING OFF THE BUMPER. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NOW AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS PENDING PROCESSING OF WARRANTY PAPERWORK. THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS HURT IN EITHER OF THESE INCIDENTS, BUT IT COULD'VE EASILY BEEN DIFFERENT. THESE POWER STEERING FAILURES ARE KNOW TO, AND WERE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA IN 2013. NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. I KNOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED.

NHTSA ID

11084222

Incident

Apr 5, 2018

Mileage

43,000 mi

I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND U-TURN IN THE CITY ON MAIN STREET WHEN IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TURN MY DASH LIGHTS TURNED OFF MY BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR TURNED OFF. LUCKY THERE WAS NOBODY COMING THE OTHER WAY BECAUSE I WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. ONCE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE DASH LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PARK TO CHECK THE CAR, ANY SLIGHT MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE MY HEADLIGHTS ALMOST TURN OFF BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE IT WAS DRAWING A LOT OF EXTRA POWER FOR SOME REASON TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I THEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND TURNED THE CAR BACK ON WITH NO PROBLEM. I WENT TO A PARKING LOT TO SEE IF I COULD RE-CREATE WHAT HAPPENED BUT I COULD NOT. I WENT HOME AND READ A BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH NOBODY HAVING A SOLUTION. SO I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I WILL GET THE SAME ANSWER. WHICH IS WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG AND WE CANNOT RE-CREATE THE SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

11055019

Incident

Dec 15, 2017

Mileage

50,000 mi

MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIT UP, I️ CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS LOCKED A FEEL A SMALL TUG ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11054300

Incident

Dec 12, 2017

Mileage

48,928 mi

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE VSA WARMING LIGHT HAS COME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WARNING LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR MY CIVIC FOR ANY INFORMATION. IT SUGGESTED THAT I WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES AND THE RESTART THE CAR. I WAITED FOR 10 MINUTES AND RESTARTED MY CAR. BOTH LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE LOCAL CARMAX DEALER, WHERE I'D PURCHASED THIS CAR. THE SERVICE CENTER COULD NOT LOOK AT MY CAR THEN, BUT THE TECHNICIAN SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME FOR THE NEXT MONDAY AND REASSURED ME THAT I WOULD "PROBABLY" BE FINE UNTIL THEN. WHEN THAT DAY CAME I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED TO BE LOOKED AT BY AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER, AUTONATION HONDA, BUT THAT CARMAX WOULD COVER THE COST BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THEIR LIMITED WARRANTY. DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTONATION AND THEY UPDATED THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE FOR THE VSA. TODAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017, I WAS DRIVING TO VISIT FAMILY WHEN THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WARNING LIGHT. ONCE AGAIN, I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES. DURING THAT TIME I CALLED AND LEFT MESSAGES FOR BOTH MY CARMAX AND AUTONATION CONTACTS AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, BOTH LIGHTS WERE OFF. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA APPEARS TO HAVE IGNORED THIS ISSUE IN LATER MODEL CARS AND I FEEL THIS IS SEVERELY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID

11035519

Incident

Oct 22, 2017

Mileage

33,250 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY KEPT FLASHING TO CHECK THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT FELT AS IF THEY MISDIAGNOSED PROVIDING A SOLUTION AND REQUIRED THAT BRAKE REPAIRS BE COMPLETED BEFORE SERVICING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE FIRST REPAIR FROM THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR. THE DEALER CLEANED THE REAR BRAKES AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES DURING THE FIRST REPAIR. DURING THE SECOND REPAIR, THE DEALER REPLACED AND RESURFACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKE FLUID EXCHANGE WAS SERVICED AS WELL. TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE SERVICE AIR BAGS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE A THIRD TIME AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10967158

Incident

Mar 9, 2017

I HAD A TOTAL HUB FAILURE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 9MPH IN A PARKING LOT MAKING A SLIGHT TURN WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAD TO HAVE THE MECHANIC REPLACE THE KNUCKLE, HUB, BEARING, CALIPER AND BRACKET ALONG WITH ABS SENSOR. IF I WOULD'VE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY IT WOULD'VE BEEN REALLY BAD. THE CAR HAS 95K MILES AND MAINTENANCES REGULARLY.

NHTSA ID

10887634

Incident

Jul 5, 2016

Mileage

95,000 mi