2013 Honda Civic: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · AL

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

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.

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · SC

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.

Filed Sep 21, 2025 · Brakes · MO

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).

Filed Jan 13, 2025 · Brakes · PA

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.

Filed Jul 21, 2024 · NY

ABS (Antilock Brake System) failure which also affects the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist).

Filed Aug 26, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · MD

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.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · VA

The VSA modulator is a known issue from honda. Mine went out while going down the highway. So many have gone bad recently that the modular is hard to get due to backorder. Warning lamps: Check brake system, Check ABS system, Check VSA & Check Power Steering. First three were one after another. Check power steering was about 10 seconds after the others.

Filed Jul 30, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

The component that has failed is the abs modulator system. The problem with the abs modulator failing on me puts me and my family at great risk including death because the abs modulator works alongside with the brakes, power steering and the vsa system all of which are the main components to a cars safety. Yes I have take my Honda to a certified technician who informed me that the and modulator has gone bad and will need to be replaced immediately due my safety alongside everyone who is on the road. Lastly when I first purchased the car everything my worked fine and their were no problems whatsoever until one day I was driving down the road and suddenly the abs light, power steering light, vsa light, and brake light all turned on which led to my car having horrible performance alongside my brakes feeling sloppy as well as my steering literally moving even though I was going straight. Overall I hope that you will finally do something about this problem because it is very frustrating.

Filed Jul 16, 2023 · Steering · FL

Car gives the following codes: Check Power Steering, Check Brake System, Check ABS, Check VSA, it would turn on and off at random times starting around November 2022, was initially informed that it could be a software update by the local Honda dealer, with a 2-3 hour labor charge to update and it might fix it. Eventually the lights would remain on most of the time and I could now pay for a diagnostic which determined the VSA modulator was defective (Code DTC 121-11). This diagnosis was generated on March 18, 2023, as of this date, July 16, 2023 there is no ETA for the part to arrive but have been informed 9 other VSA modulators have been ordered and I am 6th in line, none have arrived to this particular local Honda parts department. Looking online there appears to be a trend of car owners of 2012-2014 Honda Civics and Honda Accords that have observed their VSA modulators fail. The modulator is only manufactured by Honda and currently it does not appear that there is any viable solution apart from purchasing a new part and programing it to the vehicle by the Honda dealer. From my understanding this component ensures the stability of the vehicle in different terrains and ensures the stability of the vehicle in wet conditions.

Filed May 24, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

There are four lights with a warning that shows up and stay on Check Brake, Power Steering, ABS and VBS Systems. These four lights occurs immediately or even occasionally delayed but they appear everytime my vehicle is running. It is the VSA System per service repair shop. This is a known problem for the Honda Civic 2013 and also Honda Accord. My concern is when these lights are present there is a safety hazard issue. A recall should HAPPEN. My thorough research shows that it should’ve been a recall in the USA for vehicles in 2012-2013 regarding an expansion of VSA Non-compliance Recall: 2012-2013 Honda Fit done free of charge. This article was July 23, 2013 and it was a little over 48,000 vehicles. They all qualified for a repair if indicated. The repairs happened in Thailand but not USA. The repairs are very, very costly. I’m the only owner of my vehicle and purchased new.

Filed May 21, 2023 · Brakes, Steering · AR

Traveling down Interstate 49 in Arkansas. Hit a patch of "chicken byproduct" that was spilled on the highway. My car fishtailed. VSA module out of service. Did a vehicle diagnostic scan on it. Scanner said VSA module malfunctioning. No ABS past 30 mph. Took vehicle to shop. They said VSA module needed to be replaced. VSA is suppose to be a safety mechanism in the 2013 Honda Civic. I have read that I am not the only owner to have this problem. Should be a recall. They are expensive to replace.