My Honda Civic is experiencing multiple serious system warnings, including Check VSA System, Check Power Steering System, Check Brake System, and Check ABS System. This appears to be a recurring issue reported by Honda Civic owners in different places, and I believe Honda needs to investigate the problem and take responsibility for properly addressing it because these systems directly affect vehicle safety and driver control.
2013 Honda Civic brakes problems
39 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 15,447. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 39
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 15,447
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Antilock: ABS warning light1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Civic brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Honda Civic brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2013 Honda Civic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The ABS misfired and locked my brakes without warning during normal driving. This was without pumping the brakes or any engagement of the brake system.
I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment regarding the ongoing VSA/ABS module failure in my 2013 Honda Civic Si. This issue, common among Honda vehicles from 2013–2017, has caused significant stress, both financially and emotionally. The ABS module in my vehicle has malfunctioned, affecting the vehicle’s anti-lock braking and stability assist systems. This is a serious safety concern, as the failure could impair the car’s ability to brake effectively, especially in adverse driving conditions. The failure of this critical component puts my safety, and the safety of others, at risk.I took my car to two separate service centers, a certified Honda dealer and a Honda tuner shop, both of which confirmed the ABS module failure. They quoted over $2,200 for installation and reprogramming of a new module, which itself costs approximately $1,800. The car has had recurring ABS and VSA warning lights for several weeks prior to the issue becoming critical, and I was not informed by Honda about any recalls or known issues with the module. But this is common. As a loyal Honda customer, I am extremely disappointed that I have to shoulder the cost of what seems to be a widespread design flaw. I am requesting that Honda take responsibility for this issue and assist in covering the repair costs, as this is not an isolated problem but a defect in vehicles from this generation.
I was driving 35 MPH toward a busy intersection when I lost my brakes and power. A service message “IMA CHECK SYSTEMS” light lit up on the dash. I lost brakes and power while entering an intersection putting myself and other drivers in danger of an accident narrowly missing a container truck. The car shut off with my front end in the intersection. I was able to restart the car and drive it to the nearest garage. They connected the code machine to the vehicle showing “P1437.” I then had my car towed to the nearest Honda dealership. They told me my VIN was not listed under service bulletin 20-030 even though my car fit all of the parameters and showed the same code(s). After giving me a quote of $1900+ to fix the issue, they are claiming to have fixed the problem but I am questioning if the real issues were fixed and if I am responsible for any costs.
Several warning lights on the dashboard illuminated: powersteering warning, ABS system warning, VSA warning. We had to pay almost $300 for dealer diagnostics which advised our ABS VSA module must be replaced, reprogrammed and brake fluid bleed otherwise our ABS brake system would fail. There are hundreds of similar complaints on-line of Honda owners with the exact issue costing over $3000 to make the repair. It will cost us almost $2600 for the repair. This appears to be a defect in Honda's VSA Module circuitboard across several models (Accord, Civic).
I stepped on brakes and airbags opened up on my steering wheels made me hit
The ABS module is defective. I was told by the auto repair shop that he has been getting a lot of Honda vehicles that have defective ABS modules and that it should have a recall on this vehicle. This is dangerous for my vehicle to be on the road. The auto place is having a hard time finding a replacement part for my car. If this is happening to many other cars this should be a recall.
Wheel bearing
Purchased November 2023 not even 1 week warning lamps, messages / adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, brake systems, failure lights alarming at the same time. Took to dealer cleared sensors. A matter of days alarms going off again. Call dealer they want to keep vehicle for diagnostic. When they did diagnostic it was another problem. They repair guy also mentioned not to apply E-brake. He said their is a possibility that it may completely lock. I will be taking vehicle to another dealership for 2nd opinion.
Warning lights appeared on my dashboard one morning. I took it to a honda dealer in frisco tx and they advised that my VSA module that controls my ABS system has failed. They advised the part is on back order and could not provide any repairs due to that. Currently my ABS system does not function due to the the failed part that Honda can not replace. They also would not provide repairs even I could source a used part.
Questions about the 2013 Honda Civic brakes
Does the 2013 Honda Civic have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Honda Civic, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Civic brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 15,447 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Honda Civic brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Honda Civic have bad brakes?
The Honda Civic model years with the most brakes complaints are 2016 (96 complaints), 2010 (90 complaints) and 2006 (62 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?
Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).
Other 2013 Honda Civic problems
Airbags 114Electrical 39Steering 38Body 23Engine 23Transmission 22Acceleration 20Fuel system 17Seats 16Visibility 14Tires 11Driver assistance 10Suspension 7Wheels 7Lights 5Seat belts 5
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