The front rotors have now twice failed in 21,000 miles, due to excessive warping. The first failure occurred at 9,000 miles; the second began at approximately 20,000 miles and became increasingly more severe. Honda has provided no colorable explanation for why this would occur. With respect to driving, the local honda dealer claims that this poses no safety issue. I respectfully disagree. The warping has resulted in severe shimmying in the car (and, at some speeds, a hard and sudden pull) upon application of the brakes, affecting both steering and stopping, and overall handling. Despite the car's relatively low mileage, the local honda dealer (sf honda) has deemed this to be a "regular" wear and tear item, and thus only machined down the rotors to resolve the most recent warping. I have never heard of (or experienced) such rotor warping in 15 years of driving. I am also confirming by letter (copied to the dealer and the manufacturer) the substance of this questionnaire. I further note that a technical service bulletin has previously been issued with respect to the 1997 civic's brakes.
1997 Honda Civic brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 23 of 23, newest first, as owners wrote them.
If the car is traveling at 60 MPH or greater and the brakes are applied, the car shakes until the brakes are released.
Brake rotors needed to be replaced 4 times within 45,000 due to poor rotor design.
In a panic traveling at 70 MPH on the highway, the brakes were applied causing the vehicle to spin, the vehicle rolled over once landing on the hood. Vehicle experienced no deployment of airbag's. The dealer has been contacted.
While driving 35 -40 MPH consumer tried to apply the brakes and vehicle did not stop, causing the vehicle to rear end another vehicle.dealer has yet to be contacted. Please provide any futher information.
Both front disc wheels have warped three times in 60,000 miles. My car has been primarily a commuter auto, traveling on the highway; therefore, I seldom use my brakes for the number of miles on my car. Dealer has fixed my brakes twice.
Brakes pulsate,.when applying brakes the steering wheel shakes, and consumer gets less than ideal braking. Dealer has done various things to the braking system, including total replacement of all hardware. There continues to be a problem every 4,000 miles. Please provide any further details.
Abs system failed.
Brakes failed to stop car as it was coming to a halt, rolling forward at about 2mph. Brake pedal was floored, transmission shifted into park, and engine turned off...still kept rolling forward, as if being pushed. Only thing not tried was emergency brake. Ended up hitting car in front on both incidents. Road was dry the first time, wet the second. Cruise control not on in either incident. Honda mechanic could find nothing wrong that would cause this.
Consumer's wife was driving vehicle on the highway when she applied the brakes and heard a thumping noise, and there were no brakes. She was able to use the hand brake to slow vehicle down and go over to the side. Vehicle was inspected / repaired and replaced brake booster.
At 24,000 miles the front brake pads were prematurley worn out, and the front brake rotors were resurfaced or cut due to pulsation. Please give any further details.
Both front brake rotors warp and continually need replacing.
Computer failed which caused total loss of brakes, pedal went to the floor within 24hours before failure, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine firewall. Please describe details.
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