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.
2005 Honda Civic brakes problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 14 brakes complaints filed for the 2005 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2005 Civic owners report brake failures ranging from master cylinder failure causing total loss of braking to ABS malfunctions causing extended stopping distances and inability to control stops on wet roads. Dealer responses ranged from claiming problems are normal design to refusing to acknowledge issues despite documented failures.
The 2005 Honda Civic shows a pattern of brake system failures across multiple failure modes. The most critical is complete brake loss: one owner experienced brake pedal dropping to the floor three times in August 2009, with Honda dealer initially refusing to acknowledge the problem despite three separate tow-ins. Independent mechanics identified a failed master cylinder as the cause. Replacement fixed the issue, though the owner later noticed pedal creeping again—the same symptom that preceded the original failures.
ABS malfunction appears frequently in Hybrid and standard models. One owner reports the anti-lock system activating unexpectedly, locking wheels and causing extended sliding—so severe it ran multiple stop signs and nearly caused a head-on collision on wet roads. Dealers claim this behavior is normal and cannot reproduce it.
Hybrid-specific complaints describe brake weakness when hitting potholes or bumps while braking; the regenerative braking system drops out momentarily. One owner characterized it as similar to the Toyota Prius braking problem. Standard Civics also show noise issues—early brake application produces cracking or clicking that Honda attributed to brake switch fitment and caliper bracket clearance.
One collision-related failure and one accident report mention brake fade and ABS malfunction contributing to loss of control.
Same Honda Civic brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Master cylinder failure causing complete brake loss
Brake pedal travels to floor with no braking action. One owner's independent mechanics confirmed master cylinder failure; Honda dealer initially blamed worn brake shoes despite shoes/rotors being recently installed and confirmed serviceable by independent mechanics.
When: August 2009 onward; 2005 purchase date
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes completely to floor; No braking action; Pedal creeps slowly toward floor after repair; Failure occurred multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: Master brake cylinder replacement resolved the issue in at least one case; brakes functioned normally after replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda dealer initially refused to acknowledge problem despite three tow-ins for documented failures. Advised owner to continue driving until next failure. Case later matched Honda 'soft brakes' recall.
ABS system malfunction with extended stopping distance
Anti-lock brakes activate unexpectedly during normal braking or fail to disengage, causing wheels to lock and vehicle to slide. Owner reports exceedingly long stopping distances, running stop signs/lights, and near head-on collision on wet/snowy roads.
When: Intermittent since 2005 purchase
Symptoms owners cite: ABS kicks in for no apparent reason; Cannot disengage ABS until complete stop; Wheels lock up and vehicle slides; Exceedingly long stopping distance; Vehicle runs through stop signs and lights
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed behavior is normal and could not reproduce the problem; Honda Corporation contacted with no resolution; no TSB or bulletin found
Brake noise on cold start
Cracking or clicking noise occurs only during first brake application after vehicle has been parked. Noise disappears once vehicle is in motion. Honda attributed to brake switch fitment and caliper bracket clearance causing pads to contact bracket.
When: Starting April 2005, shortly after purchase; occurs on initial startup after extended parking
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking noise on initial brake application; Noise only on cold start; Noise disappears after vehicle is in motion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Motors correspondence (April 25, 2006 and May 18, 2006) attributed noise to brake switch fitment and caliper bracket clearance; characterized as normal characteristic
Brake failure after collision repair
Vehicle experienced brake failure during accident (August 2005 at 35 mph) and again two days after being returned from collision repair (September 2005). Second failure involved inconsistent brake grab and extended pedal travel.
When: August 2005 (accident at 35 mph) and September 9, 2005 (post-repair failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes would not hold during low-speed maneuver; Brakes grabbed inconsistently after repair; Required three inches of pedal depression before brakes engaged again
Repairs/costs cited: Returned from State Farm authorized body shop on September 6, 2005
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner filed complaint with Honda National; State Farm insurance investigating
Hybrid brake system weakness on bumpy roads
On 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid models, brakes lose effectiveness when vehicle hits bump or pothole while braking. Regenerative braking generator stops providing braking force under road surface disturbance. Problem persists for several seconds until additional pedal pressure applied.
When: Intermittent during normal commute; reported as persistent since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of braking effectiveness when hitting bump or pothole while braking; Brakes become soft and ineffective over uneven road surfaces; Vehicle requires additional pedal pressure to regain braking; Momentary loss of braking capability
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer told owner this behavior is normal
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer promised callback but never contacted owner; dealer claimed behavior is normal
ABS-related tire squeal and skidding
Front wheels emit audible skidding sound during normal braking application, typically occurring after extended driving. Sounds like tires are skidding even with gentle pedal pressure.
When: Intermittent, 3-4 times reported; occurs after extended driving hours
Symptoms owners cite: Tire squeal that sounds like skidding; Occurs even with gentle brake application; Audible front wheel skidding sound
Brake pedal fade at idle with clicking sound
Brake pedal exhibits fade when vehicle is idling. Clicking sound heard when brake pedal is depressed. Involved collision due to brake failure.
When: Reported incident December 27, 2004
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal fade at idle; Clicking sound when brake pedal depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle serviced for faulty gear positioning sensor
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
Had brakes trouble with your 2005 Honda Civic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 8,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 28,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Honda/Civic.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.