DEALER MESSAGE - THE FRONT BRAKES SHAKE OR JUDDER WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PAD, DISC, AND CALIPER ARE MISALIGNED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Honda CR-V brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Honda CR-V have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 30,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 CR-V | 10 |
| 2010 CR-V | 12 |
| 2011 CR-V | 8 |
| 2012 CR-V | 18 |
| 2013 CR-V (this page) | 20 |
| 2014 CR-V | 10 |
| 2015 CR-V | 18 |
| 2016 CR-V | 9 |
| 2017 CR-V | 92 |
4crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 20 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Honda CR-V, 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 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2013 2WD CR-Vs with a complaint of front brake judder. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: SOME VEHICLES HAVE NOISES, SQUEALING, MOANING, GRINDING, OR SQUEAKING, COMING FROM EITHER THE FRONT OR BACK OR BOTH BRAKES WHEN APPLIED. MODELS 2012-2013 CR-V.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a spectrum of brake failures on the 2013 CR-V that create serious safety hazards. The most critical: brake pedal goes soft or unresponsive, requiring multiple hard applications or downshifting to stop the vehicle at low speeds—some of these incidents occurred at driveways or low speeds, yet owners report the car lurching forward and hitting garage doors despite firm pedal pressure. One case attributes brake failure to a faulty TPMS sensor at $500 to replace. ABS malfunction in snow is another pattern: the system locks or disengages unpredictably, causing skids even at 15 mph over stretches lasting 100+ feet.
Rotor rust is endemic and premature. Even garaged or regularly driven vehicles develop "heavily oxidized" rotors as early as 7,880 miles. Dealers claim this is normal and requires cleaning every 20,000 miles—a claim owners in 60 years of car ownership say they've never encountered. Brake noise is constant: squealing, grinding, and knocking from day one, persisting or returning after resurfacing. Rear brake pads and rotors wear in under 2,000 miles on some vehicles, requiring multiple replacements within weeks. Dealers often claim nothing is wrong even when symptoms are clear, leaving owners fearful to drive in any conditions.
Same Honda CR-V brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake failure or unresponsiveness
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or extremely soft, requiring excessive force or multiple applications before the car stops. Some owners report the pedal pushes in only partway with loud clicking and no braking response. In one case, a faulty TPMS sensor was blamed for the failure.
When: Various speeds; incidents reported at 15-20 mph in snow, low speeds in driveway, 28 mph, highway driving. One owner experienced failure about three days after TPMS sensor went bad.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive or very soft; Loud clicking or knocking when brake pedal pressed; Pedal does not travel full distance; Car does not slow down despite hard pressure on brake pedal; Front tires spinning while rear tires locked (indicating brake grab/imbalance); Car lurches forward despite brake application; Requires downshift to stop
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported TPMS sensor replacement at $500. Master brake cylinder replacement required in one case (approximately 30,000 miles). Dealer inspection in multiple cases found nothing wrong.
ABS system malfunction or inappropriate engagement
ABS system engages inappropriately in slippery conditions, causing the car to skid or preventing normal braking. Owner reports the system 'fights for control' even at low speeds on snowy roads.
When: Occurs on snowy, slippery roads at various speeds (15 mph and higher). One incident over 100-150 feet of repeated brake applications.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking noise from brake system; Car skids despite brake application in snow; ABS appears to override normal braking in slippery conditions; No response to brake pedal despite multiple applications; Car does not brake until third or fourth application
Excessive rotor rust and oxidation
Rotors rust and oxidize excessively, even when vehicle is regularly driven or garaged. Occurs very early in vehicle ownership. Multiple owners report 'heavily oxidized' rotors that dealers claim require cleaning every 20,000 miles, though owners dispute this is normal.
When: As early as 7,880 miles, 13,900 miles, 18,000 miles (mostly garaged). One case after sitting only 10 days during vacation.
Symptoms owners cite: Rotors heavily oxidized or rusted; Grinding or knocking noise when first brakes applied each morning; Noise ceases after a few brake applications; Noise returns the next day; Rotor discoloration visible
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor cleaning or resurfacing performed. In one case, new rotors and pads replaced within 2,000 miles, then again in 2 weeks. Owner replaced rear passenger side brake pads and rotor destroyed in under 2,000 miles, replaced twice with different manufacturers, third set failed within 2 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim rust build-up is normal and caused by wet conditions or lack of driving. Honda corporate refused to confirm or deny it as a service condition. One dealer claimed Honda requires rotor cleaning every year (owners dispute this as official requirement).
Rotor warping or vibration during braking
Rotors warp or become heated, causing vibration throughout the entire braking event from initial pedal application until vehicle stops.
When: Under 20,000 miles in one case; approximately 30,000 miles in another.
Symptoms owners cite: Rotors vibrate continuously while braking; Vibration persists until vehicle comes to complete stop; Brake pads worn to 7mm or less
Repairs/costs cited: Resurfacing of rotors and cleaning/re-lubrication of brake pads recommended at cost of $120. Owner felt this should be warranty work.
Brake noise (squealing, squeaking, grinding)
Brakes produce persistent squealing, squeaking, or grinding noises from the beginning of ownership. Occurs both at cold start and during normal driving. Resurfacing rotors provides only temporary relief.
When: Present from day one of vehicle ownership through first year. Reoccurs after temporary repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing or squeaking noise from brakes; Grinding noise from rear brakes; Noise continues after rotor resurfacing; Noise returns after temporary disappearance; Cranky engine sound when engine started after 1-2 hour gap (mentioned alongside brake noise issue)
Repairs/costs cited: Front rotors resurfaced; rear rotors resurfaced. Noise persisted or returned after repair. Owner took vehicle back multiple times for same issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed noise to wet conditions.
Premature rear brake wear
Rear brake pads and rotors wear out much faster than expected, requiring replacement as early as 30,000-35,000 miles on a new vehicle. Multiple replacements needed within short timeframes.
When: Rear brakes replaced at 30,000 miles (well under typical service life). One owner reported replacement needed at 35,000 miles; another had pads destroyed in under 2,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake pads worn prematurely; Rear rotors damaged or worn prematurely; Caliper issues requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers replaced. One owner reported calipers replaced at 35,000 miles and again with additional rotor/pad replacement at another service.
Parking brake indicator and warning system failure
Parking brake applied but no brake warning light illuminates and no audible beeper sounds, as specified in the vehicle manual.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: No brake light when parking brake is engaged; No beeper sound when parking brake is engaged
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Taken to lancaster, ca Honda and they said front rotors have become warped/heated. Need to resurface rotors and clean and re-lube front brakes pads. Front brake pads at 7mm. Having under twenty thousand miles, was told this would cost me $120.00. I feel this has a defective braking system and should be taken care of by Honda, not charged to the customer. *tr
When parking brake was not released, there was no brake light and no beeper sounds (according to the manual, I checked later). *tr
Pulled into driveway and was a couple of feet away from the garage door, going only one or two MPH,put foot on brake to stop and suddenly the car lurch forward,press as hard as I could on brake pedal,but car kept moving forward till it hit garage door,then everything stopped. You can see by the marks on the driveway that the front tires were spinning forward while the rear tires were locked (…
While coming home into my driveway as I came up the driveway I was stopping by a the front door the car suddenly lurched forward just before I came to a full stop,and hit garage door, which shook me up as my foot was on the brake pedal, I had pushed the pedal hard but still the car moved forward, afterwards we moved the car back and you can see where the front tires are spinning forward and the…
Pressing on the brakes in slippery conditions like snow causes the antilock brakes to lock up and the car to skid. This happens at all speeds- even as low as 15mph.
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Honda CR-V?
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 2013 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 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 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 14,000 and 36,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,000; a quarter make it past 36,000. 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/2013/Honda/CR-V.
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.