Tech line summary article - We?re currently looking at an issue where the vehicle shudders or jerks and various indicators come on. What?s particularly noticeable is the CMBS indicator comes on with Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem. See Your Dealer. in the driver information interface.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda Accord brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Honda Accord have filed 17 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
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Accord | 49 |
| 2014 Accord | 54 |
| 2015 Accord | 21 |
| 2016 Accord | 15 |
| 2017 Accord (this page) | 17 |
| 2018 Accord | 149 |
| 2019 Accord | 53 |
| 2020 Accord | 34 |
| 2021 Accord | 17 |
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 of 2017 Accords describe two broad categories of brake trouble: outright failures and unwanted automated braking.
In the most severe incidents, the brake pedal becomes completely unresponsive while driving. One owner lost braking four times on a single trip from North Carolina to West Virginia; after two dealership attempts, brakes failed again within an hour of leaving the shop. Another owner experienced brake failure after being hit at a traffic light, coasting into a parked truck. When brakes fail, the dashboard floods with warnings: brake system, ABS, VSA, Hill Start Assist, Collision Mitigation System, and Road Departure Mitigation—all at once.
The ABS module emerges as a persistent troublemaker, failing at mileages ranging from 26,000 to 91,000 miles. Repair costs run $2,600 to $3,500 for replacement; owners report wire malfunctions inside the module and parts backordered for years. Multiple dashboard lights stay on when the ABS fails.
A brake booster simulator has leaked brake fluid into the cabin with no warning light beforehand—dangerous because the owner discovered it only by spotting fluid inside.
The collision mitigation system activates brakes automatically for no reason, sometimes while passing at 70 mph on highways with nothing ahead. One owner reports ten such incidents since purchase; the dealer claims the system works normally.
Brake pads have seized at very low mileage with normal use, and brake shaking persists even after multiple repair attempts.
Same Honda Accord brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake failure
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive and fails to slow or stop the vehicle. Occurs intermittently, often after 1+ hour of driving. Repeated failures reported on same trip.
When: Various mileages; one incident at 26,009 miles, another unreported; problem persists across multiple trips
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal does not respond when pressed; Vehicle does not slow or stop despite brake application; Dashboard warnings: VSA problem, Hill Start Assist problem, Collision Mitigation System problem, Road Departure Mitigation System problem, Brake System problem, ABS failure
Codes mentioned: Brake System Problem, ABS warning light, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning, Hill Start Assist warning, Collision Mitigation System warning, Road Departure Mitigation warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships performed brake service but failed to resolve. One owner reports dealership was unaware of relevant Honda Service Bulletin. Car required emergency brake or transmission braking to stop.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin referenced but dealership unaware; no official recall or TSB mentioned in narratives
Brake booster and brake fluid leak
Faulty brake booster simulator allows brake fluid to leak from underneath brake pedal into cabin. No warning indicator before visible leak appears.
When: At 58,757 miles on 2017 Accord Hybrid Touring; vehicle properly maintained with all scheduled services
Symptoms owners cite: Brake fluid visible inside vehicle cabin; Leak originating from underneath brake pedal; No prior warning light or alert before fluid leak discovered
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed faulty brake booster simulator; repair not completed in narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda customer service contacted; focus was on vehicle being out of warranty rather than root cause or resolution
Brake failure after collision
Vehicle struck by another car at traffic light. Brakes did not respond when driver attempted to apply them after collision. Brakes functioned normally later at repair shop.
When: After impact in Tucson, AZ at approximately 7:15 AM during daylight; incident triggered by external collision
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive after collision impact; Loud bang from front of vehicle before brake failure; No brake response to two separate brake pedal applications
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes worked later at repair shop; no repair details provided
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) false activation
CMBS system activates without reason, applying full braking force automatically while driving. Problem present since vehicle purchase new in July 2017. Dealer claims system operates normally.
When: Present since July 2017 purchase; multiple occurrences while driving city streets and highways
Symptoms owners cite: CMBS light illuminates frequently with no apparent trigger; Brakes lock up completely without cause; Loss of vehicle control during automatic braking; Occurs on city streets and highways
Codes mentioned: CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System) warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits; no successful repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated system operating normally; indicated no fix available
ABS module failure with multiple warning lights
ABS module malfunction triggers brake system warning lights and multiple related warning indicators on dashboard. Affects braking ability and vehicle stability systems. One repair cost cited at $2,600; another at $3,500.
When: Various mileages: 26,009 miles, 57,478 miles, 70,000 miles, 91,000 miles; problem appearing across model year ownership
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Brake System Problem warning light; Adaptive Cruise Control warning; Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) warning; Traction control warning; Power steering warning; Hill Start Assist warning; Steering wheel warning light; Tire pressure warning (in some cases); Brake shaking during braking; Multiple warning lights appearing simultaneously
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Brake System Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control problem, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) warning, Traction control warning, Power steering (EPS) failure, Hill Start Assist warning, ABS Low Voltage warning
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement required; costs reported as $2,600 and $3,500. Wire malfunction inside ABS module cited. One owner reports part was backordered for two years. Brake repairs attempted multiple times without full resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned in narratives; owners note this is described as common issue for 9th generation Accord owners
Brake pad seizing and caliper pin freezing
All brake pads seized and all brake caliper pins froze after normal driving, causing screeching noise from rear of vehicle.
When: At 18,119 miles with only normal driving; discovered after service on 6/15/2019
Symptoms owners cite: Screeching sound from rear like nails on chalkboard when driving without brake pedal depressed; Noise stops when brake pedal depressed; All brake pads seized; All brake caliper pins frozen
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at local Honda dealership on 6/15/2019 after 6/10/2019 service appointment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Case # 09629449 referenced
Automatic brake application by advanced safety systems
Vehicle applies brakes automatically without cause while driving at various speeds, including highway speeds. CMBS system activates with nothing ahead to trigger it. Occurs on straight highway driving.
When: Multiple occurrences reported since 2017 ownership; at least 10 times reported by one owner; occurs at speeds including 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes apply automatically with nothing in front of vehicle; Occurs at various speeds including highway speeds; Occurs on straight highway driving; Loss of vehicle control; risk of rear-end collision; No visible obstruction or trigger
Codes mentioned: CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System) activation
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer mentioned realigning sensor as potential fix
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Multiple safety lights on dash including brakes, ABS, power steering, traction control. Multiple incidents where vehicle braking exceeded safety standards.
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 17 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 30,988 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/2017/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.