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2021 Honda Civic Brakes Problems

10 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

10
Complaints
1
Recalls
Jan 2026Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Brakes Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #23V458000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Owner Complaints (10)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Nov 2025

Your car's forward collision avoidance safety system suddenly applied the brakes and brought your car to a complete stop at 35 mph, even though there was nothing in front of you. A 'brake' message appeared on your dashboard, and the car behind you nearly hit you because of the unexpected stop. This suggests the collision avoidance sensors may have malfunctioned or been triggered incorrectly.

NHTSA #: 11699460
highSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Jan 2026

Your 2021 Honda Civic stalled while driving at 37 mph, and your check engine, master cylinder, and adaptive cruise control warning lights came on. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty brake master cylinder, fuel pump, and ignition coils that all need replacement. The fix will involve replacing these three components to restore proper engine operation, braking function, and cruise control.

NHTSA #: 11709926
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Dec 2024

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 #: 11632366
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Nov 2024

I have had dozens of incidents where I will be driving down the road and my car will just break for no apparent reason. It is totally random and at times terrifying. It happens with no other vehicles in front of my vehicle as well as while I am just driving in traffic with cars behind me. Many times, after it happens initially, I cannot accelerate the car due to the breaks locking up. I have to put the car in park and then drive to accelerate. I have asked my service providers at HONDA the dealership about this, and they have no idea why this is happening. This is so dangerous and frightening.

NHTSA #: 11626872
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: May 2024

The front sensor is too sensitive. If there is another car using a turn lane, the Civic will try to brake and will not pass the car. If another car is ahead on a curve, the automatic braking kicks in. This tends to only happen when using cruise control. It is dangerous on the freeway. The sudden braking could cause me to be rearended. I've been lucky, so far, and have only received dirty looks from the drivers that were behind me as they passed. Since it doesn't happen every single time, there seems no way to reproduce it. No one has inspected it for defects. No warning lights, beeps or messages appear before the braking starts. This has been happening since I first bought the car in 2022, but seems to be more frequent now. Probably the reason it was returned... in my opinion.

NHTSA #: 11587708
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: May 2024

The front sensor is too sensitive. If there is another car using a turn lane, the Civic will try to brake and will not pass the car. If another car is ahead on a curve, the automatic braking kicks in. This tends to only happen when using cruise control. It is dangerous on the freeway. The sudden braking could cause me to be rearended. I've been lucky, so far, and have only received dirty looks from the drivers that were behind me as they passed. Since it doesn't happen every single time, there seems no way to reproduce it. No one has inspected it for defects. No warning lights, beeps or messages appear before the braking starts. This has been happening since I first bought the car in 2022, but seems to be more frequent now. Probably the reason it was returned... in my opinion.

NHTSA #: 11587710
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: May 2024

The front sensor is too sensitive. If there is another car using a turn lane, the Civic will try to brake and will not pass the car. If another car is ahead on a curve, the automatic braking kicks in. This tends to only happen when using cruise control. It is dangerous on the freeway. The sudden braking could cause me to be rearended. I've been lucky, so far, and have only received dirty looks from the drivers that were behind me as they passed. Since it doesn't happen every single time, there seems no way to reproduce it. No one has inspected it for defects. No warning lights, beeps or messages appear before the braking starts. This has been happening since I first bought the car in 2022, but seems to be more frequent now. Probably the reason it was returned... in my opinion.

NHTSA #: 11587717
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Apr 2024

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. I took the car to the dealership, and they told me they couldn't find any issues or codes, nor could they replicate the problem.

NHTSA #: 11580981
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2024

The problem is unintended braking. It is possible for this malfunction would cause the car to be rear ended. Have not taken it to the dealer... yet. There is no warning, the car suddenly starts to brake while in cruise control mode without any other cars being near.

NHTSA #: 11573490
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2023

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 #: 11539099

Other 2021 Honda Civic Issues