Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda Civic brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Honda Civic have filed 13 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
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Civic | 14 |
| 2014 Civic | 3 |
| 2015 Civic | 3 |
| 2016 Civic | 47 |
| 2017 Civic (this page) | 13 |
| 2018 Civic | 6 |
| 2019 Civic | 14 |
| 2020 Civic | 9 |
| 2021 Civic | 10 |
3crashes
1injury
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 Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report brake system faults across multiple failure modes. The most common issue is intermittent brake warning lights and system messages appearing without actual braking loss, sometimes clearing after battery reset but recurring within days. More serious are cases of complete brake failure during driving—one owner's brakes quit entirely in a driveway, nearly hitting a garage door; another experienced total brake loss after warning lights appeared, requiring battery reset to restore function temporarily.
Electronic parking brake failures are also prevalent: brakes releasing spontaneously after being engaged (one vehicle rolled down a driveway), failing to engage at all, or error codes preventing engine start. One owner was stranded in a parking lot in another state unable to leave.
Another critical complaint involves the collision mitigation braking system firing without cause at 40 mph on an open road, causing a rear-end collision and police report. The dealer found no fault despite the accident.
A few owners report premature master cylinder or power brake booster failure at low mileage (21,000 miles), and others cite repeated brake pad and component failure requiring replacement twice in 10 months. Dealers and Honda have not provided recalls or warranty coverage for these issues.
Same Honda Civic brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Brake warning light and system fault messages (no actual braking loss)
Dashboard brake warning lights and brake system problem messages illuminate randomly or on cold start, sometimes accompanied by ABS and check engine lights. Wheels do not drag and brakes function normally when tested, but warning persists across multiple drive cycles. Some owners report resolving it temporarily by cycling the electronic parking brake or disconnecting the battery.
When: Random or cold start; one case at 5,000 miles on recently purchased used vehicle; another at 77,646 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake system warning light appears randomly without brake activation; Orange brake system indicator flashing on dashboard; Check engine and ABS warning lights together; Warning persists for multiple days despite normal brake function; Warning may clear temporarily after battery disconnect or electronic parking brake cycling
Codes mentioned: Brake system problem code (unspecified), ABS warning indicator, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer was unable to duplicate the fault; no repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate fault in at least one case; manufacturer made aware per NHTSA filing
Complete brake failure (pedal unresponsive)
Braking system becomes completely unresponsive, with brake pedal not stopping vehicle. One documented collision; another involved near-miss with garage door. Occurs after warning lights appear. Resetting battery restores function temporarily (4 days in one case) before recurring.
When: During driving after multiple warning lights illuminate; recurring failure within days of temporary repair
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes quit working completely mid-drive; Brake pedal unresponsive or ineffective; Vehicle does not decelerate or stop when brake applied; Failure occurs after brake system and other warning lights appear
Codes mentioned: Brake system problem code (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery disconnect/reset temporarily restores function for approximately 4 days; no permanent repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or warranty coverage mentioned
Electrical parking brake failure (release when engaged, inability to engage)
Electronic parking brake releases on its own after being manually engaged, or fails to engage at all. Brake pads do not move despite brake being activated. One owner's vehicle rolled down driveway after parking with brake engaged; another stranded in parking lot unable to leave. Recurring issue in some cases (three occurrences over three years in one complaint).
When: After engaging parking brake and exiting vehicle; cold start scenarios; recurring every 1-3 years in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake releases spontaneously despite being engaged; Brake pads immobilized; brake won't engage; Vehicle rolls after parking brake set and engine off; Error message 'Electrical parking brake problem' appears; Car unable to start when parking brake stuck
Codes mentioned: Electrical parking brake problem code, Brake system error
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary relief from toggling electronic parking brake on/off in some cases; no permanent repairs documented. One owner stranded in another state; required towing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls mentioned; manufacturer made aware per NHTSA filing
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) false activation
Automatic braking system engages and brings vehicle to abrupt stop on open road with no vehicle ahead. No warning lights preceded the event. Dealer inspection found no fault codes. Led to rear-end collision with following vehicle and police report filed.
When: Driving at 40 mph on open road with clear path ahead
Symptoms owners cite: Collision mitigation braking system fires without obstacle; Sudden hard braking with no cause; No warning lights before activation; System erratic behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found no diagnostic codes or faults
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states no issue found despite accident and witness statements
Master cylinder and power brake booster malfunction
Brake fluid distribution and power assist failure. One owner at 21,000 miles reported both master cylinder and power brake booster failing simultaneously. Dealer characterized as high-risk situation but no recall coverage available.
When: 21,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light illuminated on dashboard; Loss of braking power and function
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder and power brake booster replacement required; parts available for inspection; described as very costly by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage; no active recall mentioned by dealer
Rear brake screeching (mechanical issue)
Loud screeching sound from rear brakes during driving. Sound ceases when brake pedal depressed. No warning lights. Dealer contacted but did not diagnose or repair.
When: Approximately 77,646 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud screeching sound from rear of vehicle; Sound stops when brake pedal pressed; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer did not diagnose or repair the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure
Recurrent brake pad and component failure requiring multiple replacements
Brake system components, including pads, fail repeatedly within short time intervals. One owner replaced OEM parts twice within 10 months. Manufacturer does not cover under warranty despite components being factory original.
When: Within 10-month period
Symptoms owners cite: Brake system failure; Repeated brake component breakdown
Repairs/costs cited: OEM brake parts replaced twice within 10 months at owner expense; no warranty coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda states no active recalls for brake components; does not cover failures under warranty
Synthesized from 13 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 2017 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 2017 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 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 13 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 51,192 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/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.