2019 Honda Accord brakes problems

The collision mitigation and automatic emergency braking systems engage without vehicles or objects in front, particularly at highway speeds (50–75 mph). Owners report near rear-end collisions, sudden hard braking in clear conditions, and the system occasionally failing to engage when truly needed. Multiple owners note the system activates during rain, at night, on hills, or for no apparent reason. One owner reports the system did not function during an actual emergency stop situation.

When: Throughout ownership; earliest reports at 2,365 miles; persists at higher mileages (15,000–30,000 miles)

Symptoms owners cite: Automatic braking applied without vehicles ahead; Brake warning light flashes or illuminates dashboard; Sudden hard deceleration from 40–75 mph; AEB light comes on and disappears; beeping sounds; System fails to engage in actual emergency situations; False activation on hills, at night, or during rain; Multiple activations within short driving periods

Codes mentioned: Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem warning light, ABS warning light, Brake system warning light

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers often clean debris from camera; some perform system reboot or restart. One owner reports a May 2019 Honda service bulletin exists acknowledging the issue. Many dealers state they cannot find the cause or cannot reproduce the problem. One owner had recall 20-039 (BCM reprogramming) performed, which did not resolve the issue and made adaptive cruise control inoperable.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20-039 addresses ACC malfunction; BCM reprogramming did not resolve CMBS issues for one owner. One dealer stated the system is functioning normally. Honda has refused to authorize repairs in some cases.

Owners report brake pedal dropping toward the floor when the vehicle is at rest or during initial startup, soft or squishy pedal feel, and non-linear braking response where the pedal does not engage until pressed hard, then suddenly grabs. One owner reports a test brake booster that was never disclosed during purchase.

When: Early in ownership; one case at 3 years but starting 2 weeks prior to complaint; varying mileages

Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal drops to floor or nearly to floor when parked; Brake pedal drops approximately 1 inch from floor when starting vehicle; Soft or squishy pedal feel; Pedal does not engage until pressed very hard, then sudden grab; Non-linear braking response requiring excessive concentration; Brake light system comes on and off intermittently; Pedal pressure lost while vehicle is stationary

Codes mentioned: Brake system warning light, Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem light

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced emergency brake switches ($264.29 reported), but warnings reappeared. One owner reports brake booster replacement refused by Honda despite squishy pedal; dealer stated it is normal. No repairs completed in multiple cases despite owner requests.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda told one lessee that soft pedal behavior is normal and refused to authorize brake booster replacement. Another owner was told by Honda that replacing the switch would resolve the issue, but warnings returned.

Rear brake pads wear out completely while front pads remain serviceable, occurring as early as 14,000 miles and repeatedly by 30,000–35,000 miles. One owner at 25,000 miles found rear pads at 0 mm and front at 7 mm; another at 14,000 miles needed rear brake replacement while fronts were fine. Rotors are rusty and beyond repair in some cases. Multiple owners report this happening three or more times on the same vehicle.

When: 14,000–35,000 miles; some cases requiring replacement multiple times within 60,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake pads completely worn; front pads serviceable; Rear rotors rusty and beyond repair; Rear pads wearing 3+ times faster than typical; Rear passenger side brake pad worn metal-on-metal; Grinding sounds from brakes; Brake fluid low; Burning odor from brakes; one owner found driver-side rotor hot to touch

Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pad and rotor replacement; one owner incurred $355 for rear brakes and rotors at 25,000 miles. Rear brakes replaced multiple times; one owner reports three replacements by 60,000 miles. Dealers and outside mechanics agree this wear pattern is abnormal.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated rear brake wear is normal and would not cover the cost. Recall 20-039 (BCM reprogramming) was performed on one owner but did not address the wear issue.

Vehicle applies brakes hard and suddenly at highway speeds (50–75 mph) with no vehicles or obstacles in front, no warning, and no pedal input from driver. One owner was nearly rear-ended by a truck; another hit a semi-truck when the system engaged. Owners report this happening multiple times, causing fear and unsafe driving conditions.

When: Various mileages; some early (under 20,000 miles), some at higher mileages (78,000+)

Symptoms owners cite: Hard braking at highway speed with no trigger; Brake light flashes on dashboard; Lane departure warning light illuminates with no cause; Vehicle slows from 50–75 mph to 45–55 mph without pedal input; Near rear-end collision or actual collision caused by sudden stop; Brake notification flashes and disappears; Repeated occurrences during same drive

Codes mentioned: Brake warning light, Lane departure warning light, ABS warning light (in some cases)

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have documented the issue on paper for owner records. No repairs completed in most cases. One owner reports the brake system was towed but not diagnosed or repaired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledged the problem on paper in one case. One owner notes Honda began investigating with 2018 models and affects Accord and Civic. No recalls or repairs offered.

Collision mitigation, braking system, TPMS, brake system (brake hold), electric power steering, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, ACC, and road departure mitigation warning lights illuminate together and remain on. Disconnecting the battery clears them temporarily, but they reappear within miles of driving. Dealers cannot identify the root cause.

When: Recurring intermittently throughout ownership; one case starting at early mileage with recurring issues

Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights illuminate together; Brake system problem light (brake performance may be reduced); Brake hold system problem; Collision mitigation light; TPMS and tire pressure warnings; Electric power steering problem; Vehicle stability assist system problem; Hill start assist problem; ACC (adaptive cruise control) problem; Road departure mitigation system problem; Emission system problem

Codes mentioned: Multiple simultaneous warning lights, Unknown fault codes (one owner reports 16 unknown codes)

Repairs/costs cited: Battery disconnect clears lights temporarily. Dealers performed diagnostics and charged fees, but cannot determine root cause. One owner was charged $65 for initial inspection finding nothing wrong; lights reappeared. Rocker arm replacement performed at one dealer, but issue recurred a week later; second dealer found 16 unknown codes and could not diagnose.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage offered. One owner reports being asked to pay for repeated diagnostics.

Brake pedal becomes abnormally stiff; ABS warning light illuminates; vehicle fails to drive as intended or stalls. One owner reports the vehicle's ABS module needed replacement and reprogramming, which the owner paid for, but the failure persisted.

When: Varying mileages; one at 22,000 miles, one at 17,750 miles

Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; Brake pedal abnormally stiff; Vehicle fails to drive as intended; Vehicle stalls unexpectedly; Parking brake system failure messages; ABS/VSA failure messages

Codes mentioned: ABS Failure warning light, Electrical Parking Brake System Failure, Parking Brake Not Available, ABS and VSA Failure messages

Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed ABS module replacement and reprogramming ($cost not stated). Repair performed at owner's expense, but failure persisted. Local dealer contacted afterward.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner related failure to NHTSA Campaign 23V430000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Manufacturer notified of failure in one case.

When removing the electronic parking brake in temperatures below 40°F, brake pads stick to rotors and violently return to open position. Results in extremely weak braking in parking lots afterward. Suspected cause is master cylinder lacking enough pressure to relax the caliper.

When: After parking in cold weather (below 40°F) for minutes

Symptoms owners cite: Brake pads stuck to rotors when releasing parking brake; Violent pad release; Extremely weak braking in parking lot after incident; Low master cylinder pressure (suspected)

Repairs/costs cited: No repairs mentioned. Owner suspects master cylinder or caliper issue.

Vehicle stalls during driving or upon startup, sometimes with brake system warnings, sensor failures, or battery issues noted by dealers. Stalling events occurred with warning lights illuminated or without any warning.

When: Varying mileages; some at low mileage (20,000 miles), some at higher (78,000+ miles)

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; Vehicle stalls upon startup; Brake warning light illuminated; Check engine light and multiple warning lights on; Vehicle jerks and stalls; Requires two restart attempts; Brake pedal abnormally stiff during/after stall

Codes mentioned: 16 unknown codes (one owner), Brake system warning, Check engine light

Repairs/costs cited: Rocker arm replacement performed in one case but issue recurred a week later. Second dealer found 16 unknown codes and could not provide diagnosis. Battery replacement attempted in another case but failure persisted. No successful repairs documented.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in one case. In another, VIN not under recall.

Vehicle accelerated unexpectedly during a slow parking lot entry, crashed through a brick wall and store window. Owner had previously noticed unnecessary braking events and trunk opening while driving. No injuries occurred.

When: January 2020 (low mileage lease vehicle, July 2019 lease start)

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerated forward very quickly during slow parking lot entry; Vehicle jumped curb; Vehicle traveled through brick wall; Vehicle crashed through store window; Prior history of unnecessary braking and trunk popping open while driving

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle fully entered store before stopping. Not repaired by independent mechanic or dealer.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure by owner.

While driving at 55 mph in rain, lane assist feature and anti-lock brake system both activated independently. Vehicle was pulled out of lane and into concrete wall, spun around to face oncoming traffic. Owners sustained body soreness but no major injuries.

When: At 83,000 miles; while raining

Symptoms owners cite: Lane assist feature activated; Anti-lock brake system activated; Vehicle pulled out of lane into concrete wall; Vehicle spun to face oncoming traffic; Body soreness to occupants

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to yard. Not diagnosed or repaired by independent mechanic or dealer.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure.

Brake system warning lights repeatedly illuminate. Dealer replaced the emergency brake switch at owner cost, but warnings returned immediately. Dealer unable to determine cause afterward.

When: Recurring; example case with warnings returning the night after switch replacement

Symptoms owners cite: Brake system warning lights on; Lights return immediately after repair

Codes mentioned: Brake system warning lights

Repairs/costs cited: Emergency brake switch replaced for $264.29. Warning lights returned that night. Second dealer could not determine the root cause despite reviewing the work.