2016 Honda Civic Brakes Problems

Car suddenly had many warning lights. A red “BRAKE” light flashes. Lane keep and adaptive cruise stopped working. The steering feels numb and doesn’t return to center. Took to dealer for diagnostic. They reported a VSA computer module failure. Researching VSA failure I found there is a company that will overhaul used / non working VSA units. The repair involves resoldering connections that work loose from normal driving. The design is awful and it’s not surprising these units fail. Gasket material is pressed directly against the solder joints.

NHTSA ID

11743043

Incident

May 1, 2026

I was driving my car home from work and many warning lights lit up on my car dashboard (brake problem, engine problem, uphill start, steering problem) etc.. I got off the freeway and my car dashboard lit up and notified me “to pull over to a safe location because my car needle (temperature) was on high. I pulled over to a safe location and opened the hood and noticed that the antifreeze coolant compartment was empty) my car could have caught on fire because there was no coolant inside the compartment. After I got home and filled the car with coolant I placed cardboard under the car engine to see if the coolant would leak. There are no signs of leakage. I took my car to my mechanic and he told me that he couldn’t fix the problem and suggested I call Honda USA customer service. The mechanic told me that the problem is with the “head gasket” and that the coolant does leak into other parts of the engine. He didn’t charge me anything for the inspection and added coolant to my car. I called Honda USA customer service and they told me that there are “no recalls” regarding coolant leaks and head gasket problems. I googled problems with “Honda 2016 civics and learned that there is a problem that exists and it’s very costly to fix. I also learned that Honda was sued in Canada and Honda settled with customers regarding this problem. Honda USA simply told me to take my car to a Honda dealer and ask for an “inspection” I asked if they would cover the cost and they didn’t not say they would pay for the inspection. This is a manufacture problem that occurs after a Honda Civic has gone past 70,0000 miles. People still complain about this issue and wonder where the coolant in the car is leaking and where is the coolant going into since the coolant is not visibly leaking. The coolant is making its way within the engine and causing more problems in my car. I have never had a problem like this one. This is the second time that the coolant inside my car leaks into the engine.

NHTSA ID

11733704

Incident

Apr 11, 2026

Warning display of the following on the dashboard: Early lane departure mitigation problem collision mitigation system problem brake system mitigation Adaptive cruise control problem lane keeping assist problem

NHTSA ID

11666188

Incident

Apr 18, 2025

Honda did a software update on my vehicle tied to the recall below. The dealership stated to me that they need to replace the VSA modulator and they are claiming this is not covered since they did the software update a few years ago. I believe they are directly corollated as I don't drive the car much only have 27K miles on the car. They are asking me to the pay for replacing the modulator VSA and are stating that this is not covered under the recall. It's hard for me to beleive how they are unrelated if the software is causing the unit to malfunction and we know the unit needs replacement there is a direct connection. This is costing me $2500. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:16V-725 MFR CAMPAIGN ID:KC6 CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION:VSA Software Update/EPB RECALL DATE:10/06/2016 RECALL STATUS:17 Character VIN Required

NHTSA ID

11644869

Incident

Feb 21, 2025

The contact's parent owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the parent was parking into a parking space, and straightening the steering wheel; the brake pedal depressed but the vehicle continued to drive. Several warning messages were displayed "Vehicle Stability Assist Problem", "Power System Steering Problem", "Hill Start Assist Problem", "Emissions Systems Problem", "Brake Hold System Problem", and "Brake System Problem". The driver noticed that the brake pedal failed to respond and the vehicle rapidly accelerated, causing the vehicle to crash into two medians and crash into a parked and unoccupied Ford Edge vehicle at unknown speeds. The stationary vehicle was pushed halfway out of the parking spot. No air bags deployed, and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID

11580533

Incident

Mar 29, 2024

Mileage

48,000 mi

I have noticed for a while now. When the light turns green or I'm at a stop and I have enough time to take off the car does not move when I apply the gas. It stalls and that scares me. I have noticed my cruise control shut off the other day when driving on the freeway. And I could not turn it back on. Now when I try to apply the parking bake when I'm parked the parking brake does not turn on nor the brake hold. The lights keep flashing than turn odd My headlight in the front and back passenger don't work. I've switched out the bulbs and it's an electrical problem. I see recalls on some of these matters but honda won't do nothing because it's not on their system when I bought this car in 2016.

NHTSA ID

11580073

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Honda knew of an issue with their Electronic Parking Brake system which required a software update per service bulletin 17-007 since January 17, 2017. Honda claims that the issue was not associated with my 2016 Civic Coupe EXL VIN however on Oct 29, 2023 my Civic threw this error which then cost me $112 for the service center to diagnose and an additional $150 for the software update to be installed. Total cost of $262 for an item that Honda knew was an issue and never addressed on my vehicle. This issue creates a dangerous and possibly life threatening situation which Honda is fully aware and should be held liable. American Honda states that my vehicle was not effected however I disagree as the photos and failure occurred. I was expecting more fro Honda.

NHTSA ID

11553461

Incident

Oct 29, 2023

Both steering and brake system warning lights came on and steering wheel locked in to place with no prior warning indications of power steering rack failure.

NHTSA ID

11544169

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

My car has an emergency parking brake malfunction where the brake delays once parked.

NHTSA ID

11544071

Incident

Sep 11, 2023

Air conditioner in my 2016 Honda Civic has never worked. Condenser or compressor needs to be replaced continues to leak throughout system and is defective. Emergency Brake malfunction does not work and poses as a safety issue. Left head lamp doesn’t work due to excessive heat exposure in Nevada.

NHTSA ID

11536240

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Emergency brake failed and gives following code in the dash: Red blinking light- BRAKE Yellow light: Brake System There was a recall back in 2016 because of this same problem. More than 300,000 cars affected.

NHTSA ID

11512731

Incident

Mar 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as an ABS System Module failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V725000 (Parking Brake). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11510814

Incident

Feb 28, 2023

Mileage

145,000 mi

ABS malfunction. The malfunction problem showed up on the dash and the car would not drive properly causing several messages to come on. Once I stopped and turned off the car I started if back up and went a few yard and the car started to malfunction and the message appeared again. I immediately called a foreign car specialist and was told there is a recall. I looked up the recall and it stated the same exact issue for Honda Civics years 2016-2022. I have had the car towed to two auto shops and both stated that there is a recall for the problem I am having and that they are seeing more of this issue on the Civics. I am a dialysis patient and need reliable transportation. I have about 8 months left to pay the car note in full and would really appreciate it if this could be addressed. Sincerely I am, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11510771

Incident

Feb 28, 2023

I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THE ( EPB) PROBLEM. THEY REFUSES TO AKNOWEDGE THE ISSUE BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT SHOW UP. THE PROBLEM IS THERE AND I HAD IT COMFRIM BY A MECHANIC. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE HAND TILL ONE DAY WHEN DAY WHEN ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT ENGAGED. THE ONLY WAY WAS TO CUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN. I AM UNABLE TO PARK ON A HILL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND AFRAID OF THE SYSTEM FAILING ALL TOGETHER.

NHTSA ID

11488201

Incident

Sep 19, 2022

BRAKES they stop too slow and I need to push fes time to made it stop, that made me very insecure and unsafe. AC stop working is only hot air what is coming out, since is to hot is impossible ti drive like that.

NHTSA ID

11471155

Incident

May 20, 2022

I'm the original and only owner of the vehicle, which has less than 36,000 miles. My Civic has only ever been serviced by Honda dealerships, and I can provide maintenance records upon request. A failure of this nature to the braking system can only be caused by a defective part. In fact, I had my brakes inspected by Honda at 33,000 miles, and Honda gave my brakes a clean bill of health. While driving my vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly was unable to be depressed except with extreme foot pressure; it felt like a brick had been placed under my brake pedal. The stopping power was substantially diminished. It took multiple, very strong brake pumps to slow and stop my vehicle, meaning I was unable to stop in the event of an emergency. I took the car immediately to a Honda dealership. Ultimately, Honda replaced by brake booster, which they noted was defective, but charged me for the repair because the time (but not mileage) had elapsed on my warranty.

NHTSA ID

11442511

Incident

Oct 16, 2021

Brake and brake system came on and I was unable to reverse

NHTSA ID

11430968

Incident

Aug 29, 2021

2016 HONDA CIVIC EX-T AFTER GETTING BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED THE 'BRAKE SYSTEM' LIGHT STAYS ON WITH ALERTS FOR: ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM, BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM, & BRAKE HOLD SYSTEM PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AND HOLDS AND DISENGAGES WHEN I FLIP THE SWITCH FINE, THE CAR DRIVES AND BRAKES FINE, THE ONLY THING THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK IS THE BRAKE HOLD BUTTON. CAR DRIVES FINE AND BRAKES WORK FINE, ALERTS WON'T GO AWAY AND ARE ONLY ON THE DASH NOT IN THE NOTIFICATIONS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE.

NHTSA ID

11416205

Incident

May 10, 2021

Mileage

62,000 mi

TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISES. VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. PARKING BRAKE HAS TECHNICAL ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11406293

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE WITH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPEATEDLY BURNING OUT ALONG WITH EVERY SYSTEM ICON ON THE DASH FLASHING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT WILL NOT START ALWAYS AND AT TIMES IT WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY OR THE REMOTE FOB ALL BEING TAKEN IN TO SHOPS FOR REPAIRS AND WITHIN WEEKS I CAN BE BACK TO THE SHOP WITH YET ANOTHER SO CALLED FIX THIS RECURRING PROBLEM IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ID

11404997

Incident

Mar 26, 2021

Mileage

23,000 mi

WHILE DOING NORMAL CITY DRIVING IN EARLY MORNING, I DROVE OVER METAL PLATES ON THE STREET WHICH HAD OCCASIONALLY IN THE PAST CAUSED MY AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (CMBS) TO WARN ME TO BRAKE AS IF IT SENSED A HAZARD, BUT NEVER APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR ME. TODAY WHEN GOING OVER THESE PLATES, THE CMBS APPLIED FULL BRAKES TO THE CAR WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL MYSELF, BRINGING MY CAR TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE CAR BEHIND ME UNDERSTANDABLY REAR-ENDED ME. LUCKILY JUST VERY MINOR DAMAGE SINCE THE CAR BEHIND ME MOSTLY STOPPED, BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP IN A COUPLE DAYS FOR INSPECTION. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THIS SYSTEM COULD NOT BE DISABLED, BUT AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND IT COULD BE, SO I DISABLED IT TODAY. WILL LIKELY NOT USE IT IN THE FUTURE AS I SEE THE HARM FROM IT TO GREATLY OUTWEIGH THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS. HERE ARE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT: IT WAS ABOUT 6:00 AM, BEFORE SUNRISE. THERE WAS SLIGHT SLEET/SNOW, BUT IT WAS VERY MINIMAL. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL ASIDE FROM THE METAL PLATES FROM CONSTRUCTION ON THE STREET.

NHTSA ID

11366753

Incident

Oct 27, 2020

Mileage

33,000 mi

UPON STARTING VEHICLE, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. LIGHTS INDICATED BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE, POWER STEERING ISSUE, HILL START ASSIST ISSUE, ABS SYSTEM ISSUE. POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11355659

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE STABILITY BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAIL. PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE ON. THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD ALREADY FIXED THE RECALL BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA ID

11340268

Incident

Jun 26, 2020

Mileage

29,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND KEYS REMOVED, WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARKED AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENDED UP HITTING AND RUNNING OVER A TREE STUMP AND GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V725000 (PARKING BRAKE) AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,173.

NHTSA ID

11330744

Incident

Jun 19, 2020

Mileage

47,173 mi

MY EPS SYSTEM IT DOESN'T REGISTER THAT MY CAR IS FINE BUT IT KEEPS MAKING MY BATTERY DIE AND I HAVE TO KEEP GETTING IT JUMP I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR US NOV, 10, 2016 I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD MY CAR A YEAR YET AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON. SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR

NHTSA ID

11323247

Incident

Jan 26, 2020