17 of the 396 complaints about the 2005 Honda Civic are about the braking system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 14,000 miles.
17
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
I USE TO HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON IN ON THE GEAR SHIFT TO GET IT TO GO INTO GEAR. NOW YOU CAN JUST FREELY PUSH IT BACK AND FORTH.
NHTSA complaint #11056814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
**I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE NOTICED THE SAME TAIL-LIGHTING FAILURE ON DOZENS OF SEVENTH-GENERATION HONDA CIVICS NOW ON THE ROAD.** MY 2005 HONDA CIVIC 4-DR SEDAN FAILED ITS 2013 VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LICENSE-PLATE LIGHT AND TRUNK-LOCATED BRAKE LIGHTS (OF WHICH THERE ARE TWO) WERE NOT WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO LANDMARK HONDA OF ALEXANDRIA, VA., AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING IN THE CAR'S TRUNK WAS BROKEN. THEY SOLDERED THE WIRE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN FEBRUARY 2014 I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOOK THE SEDAN TO MY LOCAL DEALER IN BOSTON, MASS., WHERE I NOW LIVE (HONDA CARS OF BOSTON). THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE SOLDERING HAD FAILED AND THEY REPLACED A TRUNK WIRING HARNESS TO BETTER RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I SPENT APPROXIMATELY $500 BETWEEN THE TWO REPAIR JOBS AT THE TWO HONDA DEALERS. I AM CONCERNED THAT ALL SEVENTH-GENERATION HONDA CIVICS MAY SUFFER FROM A WIRING DEFECT THAT AFFECTS VEHICLES' VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10597338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2005 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS COMMON WITH HIS MODEL VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10414289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LAST AUGUST 2009, I EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 HONDA CIVIC. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HONDA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY ADJUSTED THE BRAKES AND DOCUMENTED IT WAS REPAIRED. THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER AND THIS TIME, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE ADVISED ME IN WRITING TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND TO BRING IT BACK. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I HASSLED WITH THEM AND THE NATIONAL AMERICAN HONDA CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT NO SATISFACTION, NO REPAIR. IN THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTATION THEY TRIED TO CLAIM THAT MY BRAKE SHOES WERE WORN OUT, BUT THAT WAS NOT TRUE AS THEY HAD BEEN INSTALLED JUST ONE MONTH BEFORE AND SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS LOOKED AT THEM, THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKE SHOES AND ROTORS WERE FINE. INDEPENDENT MECHANICS ADVISED ME TO GET THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER CHANGED. FOR 3 MONTHS I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR, I DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM IN DETAIL AND TRIED TO PERSUADE HONDA TO FIX IT. THEIR FLAT OUT REFUSAL BY DENYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM (I HAD THE CAR TOWED 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER AFTER EACH EPISODE OF BRAKE FAILURE) WAS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. FINALLY, IN OCTOBER 2009, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKES HAVE NOT FAILED SINCE, BUT WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE OTHER DAY, IT SEEMED THAT THE PEDAL WAS ONCE AGAIN SLOWLY CREEPING TOWARD THE FLOOR. THIS IS HOW THE PROBLEM HAD STARTED SO I'M WONDERING IF IT TRULY HAS BEEN FIXED. I HAVE MUCH DOCUMENTATION OF THE ABOVE EVENTS. THE NEWS OF THE RECALL THAT JUST OCCURRED WITH HONDA VEHICLES HAVING "SOFT BRAKES" MATCHED EXACTLY THE DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE FAILURE, SO THAT GRABBED MY ATTENTION. I DID NOT KNOW YOUR WEBSITE EXISTED UNTIL I READ THE NEWS REPORTS ABOUT THAT RECALL AND SO I AM VERY INTERESTED IN REPORTING MY PROBLEM. THANKS SO MUCH!
NHTSA complaint #10320538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN TRAVELING OVER A BUMP OR BUMPPY ROAD THE BRAKE PEDAL OF MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID BECOMES SOFT AND INEFFECTIVE UNTIL AFTER I HAVE PASSED OVER THE BUMPS.
NHTSA complaint #10319364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2005 HONDA CIVIC SEVERAL FAILURES. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED SUDDENLY AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. HE STATED THE BALL BEARING CAGE COULD NOT BE LUBRICATED. WITHOUT LUBRICATION, THE BALL BEARINGS CAN GRIND THEMSELVES INTO DUST. THE ALUMINUM KNUCKLES FRACTURED BECAUSE THE WHEELS WERE NOT SUPPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #10314293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE IS COMING TO A STOP AND STEP ON HIS BRAKES OR HIT A BUMP HE LOSES HIS BRAKES IT FELT AS IF THERE IS NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND CONTACT WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALSO CALL AND INFORM CONTACT THEY WILL GIVE HIM A RETURN CALL BUT THEY NEVER DID. ..MW UPDATED 03/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND STILL CONTINUES. UPDATED 07/09/10.
NHTSA complaint #10311198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID, WHEN BRAKING TIRES SQUEAL LIKE THEY ARE SKIDDING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES, USUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS. I TRY TO APPLY THE BRAKES ON A REGULAR STOPPING EVENT, JUST EVEN GENTLY APPLICATION TO THE PEDAL, AND THE FRONT WHEELS MAKE AN AUDIBLE SKIDDING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10310473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POT HOLE OR BUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10307268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID: ABOUT ONCE A DAY DURING MY COMMUTE, I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING, AND THE BRAKES GET VERY WEAK FOR A SECOND UNTIL I APPLY MORE PEDAL PRESSURE. THIS IS A PROBLEM PROBABLY VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECENT TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKING PROBLEM. THE GENERATOR STOPS PROVIDING BRAKING FORCE WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A POTHOLE.
NHTSA complaint #10305736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1) SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005 (NEW), PERIODICALLY THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KICKS IN FOR NO APPARENT REASON (WHILE I AM BRAKING, OF COURSE). 2) UNDER THE ABOVE SITUATION, AS WELL AS AT OTHER TIMES WHEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN, I CANNOT GET THE ABS TO DISENGAGE NO MATTER WHAT I DO, UNTIL THE CAR HAS REACHED A COMPLETE STOP. 3) INTERMITTENTLY, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN IT KICKS IN, THE CAR WILL TAKE AN EXCEEDINGLY LONG, VERY VERY EXCEEDINGLY LONG TIME TO STOP. VERY EXCEEDING LONG. AT ALMOST ALL THESE TIMES, I WAS ALREADY GOING VERY SLOWLY TOWARD A STOP SIGN, STOPLIGHT OR APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TO TURN. IT SEEMS THAT THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND THE CAR JUST SLIDES. AS A RESULT OF #3, I HAVE RUN INNUMERABLE STOP SIGNS, A FEW STOP LIGHTS, THE OTHER NIGHT I ALMOST HIT A CAR HEAD ON, MISSED THE TURNOFF TO MY STREET BY ALMOST 200 FEET, MISSED MY DRIVEWAY BY ABOUT 100 FEET. THIS WAS ON SNOWY, WET SLUSHY ROADS. BUT, I WILL TELL YOU WHEN APPROACHING THE INTERSECTIONS AND TURNS, I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOING SLOWER WITHOUT BEING AT ALMOST A DEAD STANDSTILL. IT IS VERY FORTUNATE THAT IN EACH CASE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. BUT, THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT IS THE WAY THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND NEVERTHELESS THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA CORPORATION, CHECKED FOR BULLETINS, ETC. AND I FIND NOTHING. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANTILOCK BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10295307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL*- THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 2005 HONDA CIVIC IN MARCH 2005 WITH 0 MILES. IN APRIL 2005 THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACKING NOISE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES . HOWEVER, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STOPPED AT ANY TIME THERE AFTER THE NOISE WAS NO LONGER HEARD. THE BRAKE NOISE OCCURRED EVERY INITIAL STARTUP OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER IT HAS BEEN STOPPED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED SHORTLY AFTER IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THOMASON HONDA OF GLADSTONE, OREGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES MA DE A CRACKING NOISE. THE DEALER DESCRIBED IT AS A CLICKING NOISE AND REFERRED TO IT AS BEING A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WROTE TWO LETTERS TO HONDA. THE FIRST LETTER FROM HONDA MOTORS, ON APRIL 25,2006, EXPLAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE SWITCH PARTNER NOT FITTING SQUARELY IN THE BRAKE CASING. THE CONTACT WROTE A SECOND LETTER TO HONDA OF AMERICA POINTING THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A REPLY LETTER MAY 18, 2006 FROM HONDA MOTOR EXPLAINING THAT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS CAN CAUSE THE PADS TO HIT THE CALIPER BRACKET WHEN FIRST APPLYING THE BRAKES, CAUSING THE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10179407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL*- THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 2005 HONDA CIVIC IN MARCH 2005 WITH 0 MILES. IN APRIL 2005 THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACKING NOISE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES . HOWEVER, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STOPPED AT ANY TIME THERE AFTER THE NOISE WAS NO LONGER HEARD. THE BRAKE NOISE OCCURRED EVERY INITIAL STARTUP OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER IT HAS BEEN STOPPED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED SHORTLY AFTER IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THOMASON HONDA OF GLADSTONE, OREGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES MA DE A CRACKING NOISE. THE DEALER DESCRIBED IT AS A CLICKING NOISE AND REFERRED TO IT AS BEING A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WROTE TWO LETTERS TO HONDA. THE FIRST LETTER FROM HONDA MOTORS, ON APRIL 25,2006, EXPLAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE SWITCH PARTNER NOT FITTING SQUARELY IN THE BRAKE CASING. THE CONTACT WROTE A SECOND LETTER TO HONDA OF AMERICA POINTING THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A REPLY LETTER MAY 18, 2006 FROM HONDA MOTOR EXPLAINING THAT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS CAN CAUSE THE PADS TO HIT THE CALIPER BRACKET WHEN FIRST APPLYING THE BRAKES, CAUSING THE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10179407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING OF THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 30, 2005, THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 8, 2005 WHILE PULLING INTO A BASEBALL DIAMOND AT 35 MPH, AND PRESSING THE BRAKES THEY WOULD NOT HOLD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMASH INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE CAR BACK FROM THE STATE FARM AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, AND HAD ANOTHER BRAKE FAILURE ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. THIS TIME HE DROVE THE CAR AT 40 MILES AND PROBABLY PRESSED THE BRAKES ABOUT 25 TIMES, AND THEY GRABBED. THEN, DEPRESSED THEM ABOUT THREE INCHES AND THEN GRABBED AGAIN. HE CONTACTED STATE FARM INSURANCE, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO CONTACT HONDA NATIONAL, WHICH HE ALREADY DONE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO, STATE FARM WAS INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10136018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CONSUMER STATED HER SON WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THE AIRBAGS COULD STILL BE CHECKED TO SEE IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TWICE AND THE FRONT END HIT THE DITCH. THERE WAS DEW ON THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A DEER IN THE ROAD. HE THEN SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY LOCKED UP. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. HE SUSTAINED A BRUISE COLLAR BONE, BRUISES ON HIS LEGS, A BUMP ON HIS HEAD AND HE HAS TO GO TO THE DENTIST THIS WEEK TO HAVE HIS TEETH CHECKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD HER TO CALL AND FILE A COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10127744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AUTOMIBILE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 27, 2004 FOR FAILURE OF BRAKES, ON IMPACT EXCESSIVE FORCE OF DEPLOYED AIRBAG CAUSED HAND INJURY. BRAKE PEDAL FADE WHEN CAR WAS IN IDLE, CLICKING SOUND OF BRAKE LINE WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL. CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A FAULTY GEAR POSITIONING SENSOR AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10114187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION . THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10103826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.