7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$360
Average Mileage:
32,350 miles
Total Complaints:
64 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace brakes and rotors (25 reports)
  2. new brake pads and machined rotors (22 reports)
  3. not sure (15 reports)
  4. had rotors replaced (2 reports)
2009 Honda Civic brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jul 052013

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,216 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased the vehicle as certified pre-owned in June 2012 with 23834 miles. In November 2012 at 33035 miles the front brake pads needed to be replaced and the left front rotor needed to be resurfaced. I figured the brakes had never been replaced since I expect approximately 30000 miles of usage from front brakes. In July 2013 at 46216 miles the front brake pads were replaced again. To my frustration the dealership said normal wear and tear but I have never heard of brakes on a small light car needed to be replaced. I've had numerous prior cars that had brakes last longer than 13000 miles. I have seen numerous complaints on forums and even a pending class action lawsuit over this specific issue. This should be addressed and if necessary a recall issued since early brake failure is a major safety issue!

- Stephen G., Arlington, TX, US

problem #43

Nov 062012

Civic LX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Brake noise from ware has just began on my 2009 Honda Civic LX at 24,000 miles. I recently read the 33 complaints about this in carcomplaints.com. Ditto.

My 2009 Civic is just out of warranty, but warranty would not cover replacement of brake pads and machined rotors anyway. I am very disappointed. Over the years I have replaced my own brakes on several vehicles and I am careful not to over brake or abuse the brakes. I have never had any brake on any cars I have owned wear down this quickly except for this 2009 Civic.

Since Honda does not see fit to fix the problem at their expense, I feel there should be a class action suit.

Update from Nov 7, 2012: I recently had the snow tires put on, so I pulled the drivers side wheel to investigate the noise and discovered that the metal shield, (about the size and thickness of a paper plate) located on the engine side of the rotor with about 1/16 inch clearance had been bent into the rotor. I bend it out and so far so good, no more noise. At 24K the break pads still seemed OK.

I called the Honda dealership and the mechanic supervisor told me this is a common problem because a lot of times when people are mounting wheels they lay the wheel on the rotor for balance and when they pull it off to mount it, they bend the shield inward touching the rotor. Sounds just like worn brakes.

Anyway, after reading all the brake blogs, I hope this solved my problem and hope a lot of the blogs were not people that got taken advantage of in a garage to replace brakes when the shield touching the rotor was the problem.

- savi05, Klamath Falls, OR, US

problem #42

Sep 152010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

My brake pads and rotors seem wear out in less than a year tops. This is my second Honda Civic and I've never had this experience before. Once every 10 months I'm replacing brake pads and resurfacing the rotors. There is always was squeaky noises and humming sounds. They seem to always gather a lot of air when braking which causes the tires to loose traction and not stop suddenly. The majority of my mileage are highway miles. I'm so disappointed with the brake system in general with this 2009 Civic. Now I'm havinf front axle problems..UGH

- sburton, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #41

Dec 302011

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought a brand new 2009 Honda Civic EX in January 2009. Had constant problems with the brakes and had to replace the rotors twice during ownership. Front wheels screeched off and on. I was told it was "normal wear and tear" and had to pay out of pocket to replace rotors each time. Sold the car at around 40000 miles in December 2012.

Oh and the paint is crap. Paint would chip to the metal with the smallest of impacts.

- Mary H., Glen Allen, VA, US

problem #40

Feb 192012

Civic LX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,950 miles

Brake pads wore out on 2009 Honda Civic LX just at 17,500 (mostly highway) miles a year ago and I had them replaced. Now a year later at 39,824 miles (22,000 mostly highway miles later) I am replacing the brakes, again, and having the rotors resurfaced. My other Hondas never had this problem and I usually do not have to replace brakes upwards to about 50,000 miles. This is ridiculousness if I have to change out my brakes on average every 20,000 miles when average vehicles last up to 40,000 miles. I am a loyal Honda owner because of low maintenance, but I would consider this a high maintenance problem with my Civic. I have another Honda(Odyssey) and my father also has an Accord and an Odyssey which does not have this problem. I may have to rethink my choices when I purchase a vehicle for my kids in the next year if this is going to be a consistent problem with the newer Hondas.

- twnpop0316, Elk Grove, CA, US

problem #39

Jan 172012

Civic VMT 1.8L Vmt

  • Manual transmission
  • 19,181 miles

I have purchase this vehicle on year 2009 from Honda Dealer M/s. Pinacle Honda at Kolkata ( India). At around 30883 KM of the mileage a sound had come from the front wheel. Immediately I visited the honda service center for checking. They told me that the front pad has to be replaced as the same has been worn out. I was shocked to listen that. How the break pad can wear after only 19000 miles. Anyway as I do not have the choice , I have forced to replaced the pad by Rs. 6000/-. Now again at around 35000 km (21747 miles) the sound is coming from rear wheel and the service center told me to replace the rear break pad which will be the same cost.

This is very much terrible to see that the recurring cost for break. I think drum break system is far better than Honad's disk break system ( cost wise). Also the cost for the break pad is very high.

Kindly help me to rid out of the problem as this will happen after every 15000 miles.

- sekhar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

problem #38

Dec 022012

Civic LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

brand new car and had to change the battery, tires, wheel sensor, alternator. needed air conditioner fixed - it drained 2 battery before they solved the problem. needed brakes shoes replaced during the first year and the second year. now tonight when it put the brakes on it made a awful sound under the drivers side. I felt the shake under the gas pedal. when driving on the freeway it made a clacking sound and I can feel the vibration under the brake pedal. lots of safety issues. Had my oil changed at the Honda dealer and they did not tighten the screw, next day when I was going to get in my car all the oil from my car was all over the ground. I had to have my car towed to the Honda dealer, yes they fixed my air conditioner for free but now when I stop for signals there is a rattling sound coming from under the hood, and Honda wants to charge me to look at my car. This car has been a nightmare I have paid lots of money to repair a 3 year old car.

- Virginia A., Bellflower, Caiifornia, US

problem #37

Aug 152009

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,789 miles

I can't believe that at that mileage I had to replace my brakes... Then to add insult to injury I had to replace them again at around 47,000. this time with new rotors ! Since I've had this car I've replaced either the brakes and disks or the pads six times. Today after hearing it squeaking and squealing I pulled the tires and you guessed it ! I'm going to have to replace the disks and pads again !!! This is painful...

- actionh29, Stockton, CA, US

problem #36

Aug 202012

Civic 1.8L 4s

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I had to replace my front brake pad every 2nd oil change, which means every 12,000 to 13,000 miles. I want to take to people from Honda on how to extend the life of the brake.

My car is already at 50,000 miles and I had to change brake 3 times

- reynaldod, Walnut, CA, US

problem #35

Jun 092009

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7 miles

I've complained about three times and no one wanted to help. and honda i bought with my savings and they didn't want to pay anything until one day i was driving & the brakes wouldn't work because abs was broken, they just won't listen, honda.

- austria, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

problem #34

Feb 062012

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2009 Honda Civic about to change the pads and rotors on this thing for the second time. How did I have 90k miles on my F150 but only 19k on the Civic for the first pad and rotor problem and 29k for the second!! The shop blames it on driving habits which was never a problem in any other vehicle I have ever owned, plus with all the reported problems what a bunch of BS!!! Not only that but my drivers side is wearing down significantly faster than the passenger side, but the dealership refuses to admit its a brake caliper and wont replace it under the factory warranty! I'm trying another dealership tomorrow and calling into Honda America. Hopefully somebody can help me! by the way call American Honda at 1 800 999 1009 and give them hell if you are experiencing the same problem, I'm going too!

- Joshua R., Surprise, AZ, US

problem #33

Aug 012011

Civic 108

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Same issue as the other folks. Had brake shoes and rotors turned at 30k miles and again at 80k. I've never had brake issues like this before. It's enough to make me want to sell this POS. I'll NEVER buy another Honda. My Camry went 140k before the first brake shoes...all highway miles.

- Randy R., Jackson, MS, US

problem #32

Aug 012011

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

When is Honda going to admit there is a problem with their brakes? At 32,000 miles, we just had to have the brakes replaced for a THIRD TIME!!! The last set lasted 11,000 miles and I was told by the service guy that is actually average for an experienced driver in our area (10-15,000 was his range). He stated that (1) it was the hills in the area and (2) Honda has chosen to put "eco friendly" brake pads on the car that are better for the earth, but are softer and therefore don't last as long.

The first set occured so early on that the dealership replaced those for free and the second set was placed at 21,000 miles. The first response each time was that the brakes don't last long because of the high incidence of teen drivers. Give me a break! I bought a Honda because I thought they stood for quality.......guess i sure was wrong. So before anyone else gets on their teen for crazy driving.......read the reports......the brakes don't last long for anyone driving!

- tcimm, Laguna Niguel, CA, US

problem #31

Oct 102011

Civic DX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,655 miles

AFTER PUTTING 19,111 HIGHWAY MILEAGE ON MY 2009 HONDA CIVIC DX, I WAS TOLD BY MY HONDA DEALER THAT I NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKES. I DID AS I WAS TOLD, AND PURCHASED MY BRAKES FOR $226.39. THIS REPAIR WAS DONE IN AUGUST OF 2010. 8 MONTHS LATER AT 34,189 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKES AGAIN. I WAS FURIOUS AND UPSET, BECAUSE I RECENTLY GOT MY BRAKES REPLACED. I MADE A COMPLAIN TO THE STORE MANAGER, AND HE WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I ENDED UP PAYING ANOTHER $229 TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES. WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN APRIL 0F 2011. 6 MONTHS LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN WITH THE LEFT FRONT BRAKES. AT THIS POINT MY CAR MILEAGE WAS 46,000. I MADE ANOTHER COMPLAIN TO MY DEALER, BUT ALL TO NO AVAIL. SO I ENDED UP PAYING ANOTHER $226. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY FRONT ROTORS WERE WORN OUT AS A RESULT OF MY BAD BRAKE PADS. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FRONT HONDA CIVIC BRAKES, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH 2009 - 2011 HONDA CIVICS. I AM AFRAID OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLES, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, THAT HONDA IS NOT WILLING TO RECTIFY.

- yogy692000, SAYREVILLE, NJ - New Jersey, US

problem #30

Mar 172011

Civic EXL 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 32,978 miles

2009 HONDA CIVIC should not have had premature wear of

the rotors and brakes at 53,073 km. Yet just another defect

of the honda car....

- Darryl J., Jarvie, Alberta, Canada

problem #29

May 212011

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

UNBELIEVABLE! After reading the complaints about Brake Pad premature wear here at Autobeef, I'm surprised that I never knew about it earlier.

Today my Honda dealer told me that I have to get my car's front brake pads replaced and rotor machined as they have worn out. I'm surprised that within 20,000 miles I have to replace them when I have hardly own the car for 2 years-I bought it new in 2009.

Honda needs to come out with a solution and should pay for it.

- nm, Chicago, IL, US

problem #28

Feb 212011

Civic EX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Brought 2009 Civic in for an Oil consumption problem.. on 2/21/2011After listening to a little sales B.S. the guy then tries to sell me new brakes, tires, & a Cabin air filtration system....Never really addressing the oil problem.. My query to the brake failure received more B.S. of how this is common with newer vehs....My wife has been sensing vibrations @ steady speeds & excessive vibrations @ hard stops... Again.. Told normal for small, newer vehs, however NOW they want to replace the brakes after going in for a different problem @ our expense. Oh What to do !!!!!

- Dave D., Hartford, CT, US

problem #27

Mar 122011

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,880 miles

Bought a brand new 2009 Honda Civic after my 1997 Saturn died. All of my Honda owning friends and family have raved about how great Hondas are, but I'm already ticked off after not even 18,000 miles. At 10,000, during a normal oil change they mentioned the brake pads were wearing down and probably needed to be changed "soon." My father, who is a total gear head, and I were both stunned- who needs new brake pads after 10,000 miles? They told me the same thing they told most of you- it must be the way I drive. I told them I had driven the same way AND the same route to work the entire 12 years and 100K+ miles I owned the Saturn and had to replace the brakes once. They still insisted it was my driving. I figured they must be goofy so I left.

Well, this past weekend I heard the tell-tale grinding at just under 18,000 miles. I took it to a mechanic I trust, and sure enough the front brake pads needed to be replaced and the rotors machined. They charged me $200, which I feel safe assuming is lower than what Honda would have charged me, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I would even buy another or recommend a Honda to anyone.

- Jen T., North St Paul, MN, US

problem #26

Mar 102011

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

Replaced breaks last year with less than 10,000 miles on the car. Just had to replace again with less than 20,000 miles on the car.

Dealership wouldn't acknowledge that this is an ongoing problem. Breaks should not wear out at 10,000 miles!!! They always say it is how I drive. I have never had this problem before.

I bought a new 2009 Civic instead of buying used so I would not have to spend money for maintenance. Replacing breaks every year is ridiculous!!!

- jmorris, Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #25

Feb 262010

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Purchased a NEW 2009 Honda Civic instead of buying a used car because I didn't want to have to put a lot of money into the car for maintenance. Thought Honda had a good reputation for being low maintenance cars...I guess not.

About a year after I had the car, I started hearing a squealing noise when driving. It wasn't constant and usually went away after a couple of minutes. I did not think that it was the breaks because, first of all, I had only had the car for a year and had put less than 10,000 miles on it, and second of all, the noise was not occurring when I pressed on the breaks. Took it into the dealership and was told that the breaks needed to be replaced and the rotors needed to be machined. $260. I asked why so soon and was told that it is all about how you drive the car. I had a 2002 Mazda Protege before and had to replace the breaks once in 5 years (plus I put way more miles on that car). I decided that it could be possible, after all this was my first car in Los Angeles, and I was driving in a lot of stop and go traffic.

Almost a year later, I started hearing the noise again. I could not believe it!!! I drove even less this past year because I moved closer to work! I did some research and found out this is a widespread problem. The dealer would not acknowledge having any information or other complaints and said that again, it was due to my driving. This time, replaced breaks with a cost of about $200.

This has been beyond frustrating... brakes should not wear out that fast. I can for sure say that the next car I buy will NOT be a Honda, and I will tell people to stay away from them. Spending almost $500 in TWO years and less than 20,000 for brakes is ridiculous!!!

- jmorris, Los Angeles, CA, US

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