2021 Honda Civic Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 18 brake complaints for the 2021 Honda Civic, 13% of its 144 total complaints that year. Two crashes and one fire are linked to brakes. A recall (23V458000) covers a brake booster tie rod fastener issue on 2020-2021 Civic and related Honda/Acura models.
- Brakes complaints
- 18
- 13% of 144
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 108,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden, unintended automatic braking on the highway with no vehicle in front, often while using cruise control.
- Some describe brake pedals going to the floor with no response, causing the car to slide and become unresponsive to steering input.
- Forward collision or brake warning lights flash and ding without another vehicle nearby, sometimes followed by automatic braking.
- Owners report the front sensor being oversensitive to cars in adjacent turn lanes or curves, triggering unwanted braking.
- One owner reported a brake caliper freezing and needing brake replacement three times within one year, with uneven pad wear.
- A separate complaint described a brake rotor backing plate becoming caught on the lower control arm during a low-speed turn shortly after purchase.
When 2021 Honda Civic brake complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 13, 2021, latest Jun 20, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2021 Honda Civic
- NHTSA 23V458000Jun 29, 2023Brakes124,077 vehicles
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.
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Brakes complaints by Civic model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2021 Honda Civic have a brake recall?
- Yes. Recall 23V458000, reported June 29, 2023, covers a tie rod fastener connecting the brake booster on certain 2020-2021 Civic and other Honda/Acura models. Dealers inspect and repair the brake booster assembly free of charge.
- How common are brake complaints on the 2021 Civic?
- NHTSA lists 18 brake complaints for the 2021 Civic, which is 13% of the 144 total complaints filed for that model year.
- What brake problems do 2021 Civic owners report most?
- Owners most often report unintended automatic braking on the highway, oversensitive forward collision sensors, and warning lights triggering without another vehicle present.
- Have there been crashes linked to 2021 Civic brake issues?
- NHTSA data links 2 crashes and 1 fire to brake-related complaints on the 2021 Civic, with no reported injuries.
- At what mileage do 2021 Civic brake problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue is 108,000 miles.