DEALER MESSAGE - HONDA IS COLLECTING A HEALTHY FRONT BRAKE ASSEMBLY FROM AFFECTED VEHICLES THAT MEET CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Honda Accord brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Honda Accord have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Accord | 23 |
| 2013 Accord | 49 |
| 2014 Accord | 54 |
| 2015 Accord | 21 |
| 2016 Accord (this page) | 15 |
| 2017 Accord | 17 |
| 2018 Accord | 149 |
| 2019 Accord | 53 |
| 2020 Accord | 34 |
1crash
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
Owners report that warning lights—ABS, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), brake system, traction control, and electronic power steering—illuminate on the dashboard, often intermittently. Two independent service centers confirmed to one owner that ABS module failure is common in 2013–2017 Hondas. Replacement requires a full ABS/VSA module swap costing $2,800–$3,000+; Honda technicians have identified solenoid failures within the module (diagnostic code 121-11) but Honda does not repair solenoids separately. Honda corporate has stated no recalls or extended warranties apply despite the problem being widely documented.
Three owners report the brake system engaged unexpectedly or the engine revved during low-speed maneuvers, including a hard launch into a parked vehicle at 1–2 mph and abrupt stops at highway speeds with no driver input. One complaint mentions a dirty camera code; others were not diagnosed.
Two identical complaints describe squeaking from the brakes when turning with no pad wear; owners attribute it to a brake component tab coming loose. Dealers claim inability to replicate despite the issue being widely documented in owner forums.
One owner reports low brake fluid and headlight warnings appearing after battery replacement, undiagnosed.
Same Honda Accord brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
ABS control module failure
ABS control module fails intermittently or completely, causing loss of anti-lock braking function. Multiple owners report the module needs replacement; dealerships confirm the problem is common in 2013–2017 Hondas.
When: 105,000–140,000 miles; also reported as early as 7 years of vehicle age
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light on dashboard; VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light; Brake system warning light; Traction control light; Electronic power steering warning light; ABS function intermittently working or not working when needed
Codes mentioned: P0656 (or similar VSA/ABS module codes—complaint #8 cites '121-11' as VSA/ABS solenoid issue)
Repairs/costs cited: ABS control module replacement, $2,800–$3,000+ for parts and labor; Honda technicians confirm solenoid-only repair not offered by Honda
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda corporate confirmed no recalls or extended warranties despite acknowledging the problem is common among 2013–2017 models
Brake squeaking when turning
Squeaking noise from brakes when steering wheel is turned, despite no brake pad wear. Owner reports a tab on the brake component coming off its resting place, a documented issue found across owner forums.
When: Unknown; appears intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking noise from brakes during turns; No detectable brake pad wear
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; dealer cannot replicate issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states inability to replicate; issue is widely documented online but Honda has not addressed it
Unexpected braking or engine revving during low-speed maneuvers
Engine suddenly revved or brake system engaged unexpectedly during parking and low-speed driving, causing vehicle to accelerate into another car or perform unintended hard stops.
When: 1–2 mph during parking; 40 mph during highway driving; 45 mph on straight road
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revved and vehicle launched forward during parking at 1–2 mph; Vehicle came to abrupt stop while traveling 45 mph with no obstruction visible; Vehicle slammed into hard stop at 40 mph while driver had foot on gas, not brake; No brake pedal input from driver
Codes mentioned: Dirty camera code (reported in complaint #9)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #1 resulted in vehicle being towed; complaint #9 dealer found dirty camera code but could not confirm fault; complaints #11 not diagnosed
VSA/ABS solenoid valve malfunction
VSA solenoid or valve within the ABS/VSA module fails, triggering warning lights. Dealers diagnose the specific solenoid failure but recommend full module replacement because Honda does not repair solenoid components separately.
When: 105,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light; ABS warning light; Brake warning light; Traction control light; Warning lights come on and off intermittently
Codes mentioned: 121-11 (Honda technician code for VSA/ABS solenoid issue)
Repairs/costs cited: Full ABS/VSA module replacement required ($3,000+); Honda does not offer standalone solenoid repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda does not offer solenoid repair; only full module replacement available
Low brake fluid warning light after battery replacement
Low brake fluid warning light and headlight warning illuminated following battery replacement. Cause unknown; not diagnosed or repaired.
When: After battery replacement; mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Low brake fluid warning light; Headlight warning light
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 78,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2016/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.