FaultScore

1996 Honda Civic brake problems

65 of the 383 complaints about the 1996 Honda Civic are about the braking system — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 48,000 miles.

F

65

Complaints

25

Crashes

0

Fires

6

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 11 16.9%
Foundation Components 11 16.9%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 11 16.9%
Disc 6 9.2%
Rotor 5 7.7%
Mechanical 4 6.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 6.2%
Conventional 3 4.6%
Hydraulic 3 4.6%
Parking Brake 2 3.1%

Brakes across every Honda Civic year

1991 10 1.0%
1993 12 1.2%
1994 20 1.9%
1995 14 1.4%
1996 65 6.3%
1997 29 2.8%
1998 11 1.1%
1999 19 1.8%
2000 14 1.4%
2001 52 5.1%
2002 24 2.3%
2003 34 3.3%
2004 11 1.1%
2005 17 1.7%
2006 64 6.2%
2007 43 4.2%
2008 44 4.3%
2009 51 5.0%
2010 90 8.8%
2011 33 3.2%
2012 39 3.8%
2013 38 3.7%
2014 18 1.8%
2015 15 1.5%
2016 98 9.5%
2017 36 3.5%
2018 26 2.5%
2019 31 3.0%
2020 17 1.7%
2021 18 1.8%
2022 22 2.1%
2023 13 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 22,000 miles Fairfield, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ON APRIL 20, 2007, I WRECKED MY CIVIC ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY HIT THEIR BRAKES, AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING MY CAR FISHTAILED AND RUN INTO THE CEMENT FREEWAY DIVIDER. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10272385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Claremont, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I OWN A 1996 HONDA CIVIC EX,, I AM HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE WITH ROTORS GOING BAD. I HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKES BOUGHT NEW ROTERS AND I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ABS NOT WORKING RIGHT.AS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10052547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FAULTY KEY MOUNT ON CRANKSHAFT, AND 2 BELTS CAME OFF PULLEY, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, REPLACED WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXHAUST SYSTEM, THROTTLE CABLE, EMISSIONS, AXLES, BRAKES, CV BOOTS, AND FLOOR MAT. *AK 8JB

NHTSA complaint #10007289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamilton, OH

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

THE BUTTON ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STICKS. "FIXED" SEVERAL TIMES W/O SUCCESS. THE BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE IN THIS CONDITION AND IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #737732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OLD Bethpage, NY

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

WAS REACHING TO RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKE & NOTICED BUTTON WAS NOT ON VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AFTER HAVING EMERGENCY BRAKES RELEASED. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC ENTIRE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #870436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Remsen, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

RECALL 96V10 000/BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:CHECK VALVE: REPORTING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #867654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whitefish, MT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, FRONT BRAKES WOULD CHATTER WHEN DRIVING 55MPH THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE. AT LOW SPEED THEY WOULD NOT FEEL THE PULSATING. BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKES. ROTORS & PADS HAD BEEN CHANGED. SO FAR, ONLY HAPPENED 3 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #852036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jamesburg, NJ

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

1996 HONDA CIVIC DX EXPERIENCES STICKY ACCELERATION, MUST APPLY CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE TO ACCELATOR WHEN STOPPED WHICH CAUSES CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS WAS REPORTED TO DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND APPEARED TO BE CORRECTED, BUT CONDITION REAPPEARED. CAR WAS RECALLED FOR FUEL THROTTLE AND REPAIRED, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE STICKY ACCELERATOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE MOST OF THE TIME. THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE BRAKE STAYS IN WHICH KEEPS THE BRAKE DISENGAGED. THE WINDSHIELD WHISTLES AT ROAD SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #714058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chester, NY

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE SET POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. DEALER REPLACED THE SPRING INSIDE THE LEVER MECHANISM WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #848346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Matthews, NC Crash

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

I AM WORKING WITH INS CO. TO RESOLVE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURED DUE TO DEFECT

NHTSA complaint #710431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newport, KY

PARKING BRAKE

PARKING BRAKE BUTTON SEEMS TO STICK "IN". WORRIED THE PARKING BRAKE WILL FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #710146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santee, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AFTER ACCELERATION , CAUSING ALOT OF WEAR ON THE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #842427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tempe, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #538130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tempe, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS INCLUDING: BRAKE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE - CAUSING IT TO STALL AND START ON OCCASIONS, TIRE BLOWOUTS, THE ELECTRONIC DOORS, WINDOWS AND LOCKS MALFUNCTION, AND AN AIR CONDITIONER THAT DOES NOT DRAIN PROPERLY CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOLD GROWTH.

NHTSA complaint #538256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angele, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE, RECALL NOTICE SENT AFTER ACCIDENTS. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

NHTSA complaint #536102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Quinta, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY VALVE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vista, CA

PARKING BRAKE

EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Quinta, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE PEDAL GOSE TO THE FLOOR, GIVING NO RESPONSE, AND IF CONDITIONS ARE WET THE VEHICLE WILL SLIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #830943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE SLID ABOUT 30FT. BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER A WHILE THE VEHCILE NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND CONSUMER REPLACED IT AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSMENT.

NHTSA complaint #830870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hollywood, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

RECALL 96V106000. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES DRAG, THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #830019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hollywood, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

RECALL 96V106000. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES DRAG, THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #830019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Willow Wick, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING. HAS HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. AT DEALER'S & ROTORS CUT DOWN. NO WARRANTY. ROTOR PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING.

NHTSA complaint #828243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redondo Beach, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC

BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wappingers Falls, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #533538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

THE DEFECTIVE EMERGENCY BRAKING LEVER IS INOPERATIVE WHICH MAY RESULT IN ROLL AWAY OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #818777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE BOOT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT BRAKES CONSTANTLY LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #523879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanit Louis, MO Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND TURNED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, SPINNED AROUND AND HIT THE BACK OF A ANOTHER VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK ALSO PASSENGERS SEAT COLLASPED.

NHTSA complaint #814568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Honda Civic problems

← Full 1996 Honda Civic report