2021 Honda Civic Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 12%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Honda Civic, 12% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Nov 9th, 3:00pm, Fruitridge Rd 35 mph, driving with foot on the gas The safety brake feature overrode my ability to drive by forcefully coming to a complete stop while flashing 'brake' messege appeared on dashboard. No car, item or person was in front of me. The car behind me (who was also going around 35 mph) almost hit me and drove off angrily.”
NHTSA complaint #11699460, filed 2025-11“My 2021 Honda civic ex’ forward collision sensor light flashed mid intersection my brakes locked up causing me to be a victim of a hit and run. As I was in between policies with my insurance therefore I wasn’t covered for the accident and I am now suffering financial hardships.. dealership didn’t want to hear what I had to say because it was a new car & no recalls were announced at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #11659892, filed 2025-05“My Important Safety Recall is not showing up on my dealer's system or the following sites: Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment | NHTSA Recall Information for Safety & Defects | Honda Owners Site Honda Campaign Number: AEV, VEW Service Bulletin Number: 23-051, 23-052 Brake Booster Assembly during production.”
NHTSA complaint #11539099, filed 2023-08“On multiple occasions my car has applied the brake while driving on the highway as well as my caliper has become frozen and I have replaced brakes 3 times in less than one calendar year. I have all old brakes that have needed to be replaced and there is uneven wear on them.”
NHTSA complaint #11632366, filed 2024-12“While driving on a city street at about 25 to 30 MPH with no cars or people in front of me and on a clear day, my Civic's Collision Mitigation Braking System flashed Brakes on my heads up display and at the same time, it forcefully applied the brakes without me touching the brake pedal. This has happened to me at least twice in six weeks. In both instances, I tried to press on the gas pedal, but it did not let up on the brakes right away. I was nearly rear-ended by other cars both times, putting me and others at risk. …”
NHTSA complaint #11580981, filed 2024-04Related recalls
- 23V458000Jun 29, 2023Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles…Covers: Honda Civic 2020–2021, Ridgeline 2020–2023, Passport 2021–2023 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10202279Oct 5, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
- 10201450Sep 10, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
- 10200841Aug 25, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
- 10200417Aug 9, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
- 10199458Jul 22, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
- 10199327Jul 7, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
- 10196874Jun 3, 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 9 | 12% |
| 2024 | 7 | 6% |
| 2023 | 14 | 5% |
| 2022 | 23 | 3% |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% |
| 2020 | 17 | 7% |
| 2019 | 32 | 7% |
| 2018 | 25 | 3% |
| 2017 | 38 | 6% |
| 2016 | 96 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 4% |
| 2014 | 18 | 6% |
| 2013 | 39 | 12% |
| 2012 | 40 | 9% |
| 2011 | 33 | 20% |
| 2010 | 90 | 23% |
| 2009 | 51 | 13% |
| 2008 | 42 | 5% |
| 2007 | 43 | 4% |
| 2006 | 62 | 4% |
| 2005 | 16 | 5% |
| 2004 | 11 | 3% |
| 2003 | 34 | 7% |
| 2002 | 24 | 3% |
| 2001 | 47 | 4% |
| 2000 | 14 | 5% |
| 1999 | 18 | 5% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 61 | 20% |
| 1995 | 13 | 7% |
| 1994 | 17 | 13% |
| 1993 | 12 | 8% |
| 1992 | 7 | 7% |
| 1991 | 8 | 7% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2021 Honda Civic
66 complaintsForward collision avoidance
33 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsLane departure
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology