DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2014-2015 ACCORDS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF FEELING VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE BRAKING. 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 ↗2014 Honda Accord brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Honda Accord have filed 54 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 107,000 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
54
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Accord | 115 |
| 2011 Accord | 9 |
| 2012 Accord | 23 |
| 2013 Accord | 49 |
| 2014 Accord (this page) | 54 |
| 2015 Accord | 21 |
| 2016 Accord | 15 |
| 2017 Accord | 17 |
| 2018 Accord | 149 |
4crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 54 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue across these 52 complaints is VSA/ABS modulator failure—roughly 40 narratives directly cite a bad modulator or control unit. Owners say the modulator quits at mileage ranging from 40,000 to 180,000 miles with no warning; multiple warning lights suddenly illuminate together (ABS, traction control, FCW, LDW, power steering, brake). Dealers diagnose codes 81-20, 61-11, 81-19, and 123-11, all pointing to internal or power-source faults in the modulator. The fix requires a new VSA/ABS modulator unit—$1,500–$1,700 plus $600–$800 labor—but Honda has had a nationwide parts shortage for months; multiple owners paid for the part upfront with no delivery date given.
Parallel to the modulator problem, a smaller but serious cluster of brake-pedal complaints emerges: spongy or unresponsive pedal, extended stopping distance, pedal to the floor with no braking effect, even complete brake failure during motion. One owner's brakes failed at a stop sign, driving under an SUV with $8,000 in damage. Another reported both rear calipers seized simultaneously. One dealer told an owner this caliper failure is "known and common" on this model year.
Owners consistently note they found extensive online discussion of the same failures in 2014 Accords and other Honda models from that era, see no recalls on file, and request NHTSA investigation into what they describe as a design flaw in the modulator's tolerance for vibration and heat.
Same Honda Accord brakes reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
VSA/ABS Modulator Failure
The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) and ABS modulator control unit fails, disabling antilock braking, traction control, and related safety systems. Owners report the modulator either fails outright or enters a persistent fault state that requires replacement.
When: Varies widely; some at 40,000 miles, most at 58,000–180,000 miles. No clear mileage threshold.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; Traction control light illuminates; Forward Collision Warning (FCW) failure message displayed; Lane Departure Warning (LDW) failure message displayed; Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) light illuminates; Power steering warning light illuminates; Brake system warning light illuminates; Multiple dashboard warning lights turn on together; Lights may flicker on and off intermittently or remain constant; No symptoms prior to failure in some cases; no warning until lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: 81-20 (ABS CPU internal circuit malfunction), 61-11 (VSA modulator control unit power source circuit low voltage), 81-19 (Antilock Brake System malfunction), 123-11 (VSA solenoid valve malfunction), 121-11 (VSA solenoid valve malfunction), DTC 81-19
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement VSA/ABS modulator part numbers cited: 04571-T2F-L01, 04571-T2F-L21, 57110-T2F-L01. Part cost reported at $1,373–$1,500; labor $600–$800; total repair cost $2,000–$3,000. Nationwide parts shortage and extended backorder reported by multiple owners; Honda dealers unable to source replacement units with no estimated delivery date. One dealer charged owner $1,373.29 for part with no ETA after owner prepaid.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Case #14081980 filed; Honda representatives declined to assist or issue recall. One dealer told owner the VSA modulator needs replacement; another stated vehicle was out of warranty with no recalls available. Manufacturer referred owners to NHTSA hotline. Some owners report Honda dealer acknowledged this is a 'design flaw' and a frequent problem on this model year. Recall 23V-430 (identified as 2023 recall) covers VSA modulator replacement for some model years but not clearly applied to 2014 Accord at time of complaints.
Brake Pedal Reduced Response / Spongy Brake Pedal
Owners report the brake pedal feels soft, spongy, or unresponsive, with extended braking distance or the pedal traveling to the floor without stopping effect. One owner reported brake lines ruptured.
When: One case at 107,000 miles (brake lines ruptured). Other cases do not specify mileage. One incident during normal driving at 55 MPH and 65–70 MPH bridge crossing.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal feels soft or spongy; Brake pedal travels to the floor; Extended braking distance; Delayed brake response while depressing brake pedal; Vehicle fails to stop or stops only with great difficulty; Brake system warning light illuminates; Shaking or vibration felt when braking
Repairs/costs cited: One case: brake lines, hoses, and gaskets replaced (mileage 107,000). Another case: owner applied brakes but pedal did not respond, forcing evasive maneuver (cost not stated). One accident case: brakes completely failed during motion, vehicle struck vehicle in front; cost $8,000 to repair damage. Another case: rear calipers seized at the same time, nearly causing a fire; vehicle towed for safety.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in multiple cases. One owner involved in accident; Honda was notified but took no action. One dealer advised seized rear calipers were 'a known and common problem' with this vehicle.
Rear Caliper Seizure
Both rear brake calipers seized simultaneously during driving, creating extreme braking force and potential fire hazard.
When: During driving; mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Both rear calipers seized at the same time; Nearly caused a fire; Vehicle had to be towed for safety
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing to local dealer; repair cost not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised this was 'a known and common problem with this vehicle.'
Acceleration Sensor / Yaw Rate Sensor Failure
One owner reported acceleration sensor and yaw rate sensor failure following a jolting event while driving.
When: At approximately 190,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jolted to the right and jerked while driving 65–70 MPH over bridge connection point; TPMS warning light illuminated; Power steering warning light illuminated; Acceleration warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed failure; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer not notified.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration with Unresponsive Brakes
Vehicle suddenly accelerated heavily while driving, brakes became unresponsive, and vehicle returned to normal operation after 5–10 seconds.
When: While driving at approximately 45 MPH on a busy roadway; mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly accelerated heavily without driver input; Brake pedal did not respond; no braking effect; Duration of incident: approximately 5–10 seconds; Vehicle returned to normal operation after incident
Repairs/costs cited: Owner forced to swerve to avoid collision; no repair described.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None indicated.
Synthesized from 54 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
No accident involved . Warning lights pop up on dashboard. Honda diagnosed that my ABS modulator need to be replaced. I have seen many comments online that many people are experiencing this problem. Fix is very expensive and people who can least afford it are going to be driving without this problem being corrected and maybe causing accidents which could be fatal. Will provide diagnosis by…
Had brakes trouble with your 2014 Honda Accord?
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 2014 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 54 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 58,000 and 158,000 miles, with the median around 107,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 158,000. 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/2014/Honda/Accord.
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.