What 301 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Civic Cng

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.

NHTSA ODI 11540906

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.

NHTSA ODI 11537066

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.

NHTSA ODI 11535381

I have to turn on my car start driving it no more than like 15 to 10 mph and then it shakes it jerks and cut off and it does that repeatedly until I pass second gear

NHTSA ODI 11533412

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.

NHTSA ODI 11532549

All lights are on the 2013 Honda Civic LX. I took it to the dealer and turns out to be a faulty VSA Modulator... they quoted me $2000 for labor and parts. After extensive research, noticed many other Hondas in the same generation have the same issue. Should be a recall!

NHTSA ODI 11530242

Dash looks like a Christmas tree. All came on at one time. Changed everything we can think of

NHTSA ODI 11529853

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.

NHTSA ODI 11523655

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.

NHTSA ODI 11523064

Airbag warning light comes on sporadically. Consistently when it is cold out, all the time after hitting the horn. There is an issue apparently with the driver side airbag inflator which occurs in this model year vehicle that both NHTSA and Honda is ignoring.

NHTSA ODI 11519775

Air bag warning comes on intermittently . Has increased to a weekly occurrence. I’ve recorded 27 instances in the last 6 months that this has happened. Occurs when starting car after sitting and also just comes on when driving. Have had seat sensors and seat belt replaced which did nothing. Problem still exists. I am not going to put any more money into an unsafe vehicle. Research shows that this is a common consumer complaint and a safety problem . Airbags for this model were recalled through the 2012 model year. Certainly appears that the 2013 model year should have been included.

NHTSA ODI 11518831

Ac compressor /condenser system - endangers engine as it can cause overheating in engine. Should have similar warranty for original parts as the Honda civic ac recalls for 2016-2019 models.

NHTSA ODI 11517575

My Check air bag system light came on today. No one as been involved in an accident but it does worry me to know that while this light is on the air bag would not deploy if me or my child are involved in an accident. Would like to have this problem investigated and repair before anything bad were to happen.

NHTSA ODI 11512029

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the driver crashed into the rear of a Ford Focus. The front passenger air bag was partially deployed. The check air bag system and the passenger air bag off message were displayed. There were no reported injuries, police report filed, or fire. The contact called the local dealer who informed her to take the vehicle to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11509370

B0001-13 a known defective airbag issue with no repair in sight according to other civic owners.

NHTSA ODI 11502969

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that on several occasions, the check air bag system warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was placed on a diagnostic machine and produced code: B0001-13. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side wiring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The consumer stated the dealer found the problem which was a driver's side airbag assembly internal failure.

NHTSA ODI 11497040

The check airbag light comes on and off intermittently.

NHTSA ODI 11487129

ABS check light, VSA check light, Power Steering light comes on. They come on everytime the car is started. Sometimes it is immediately. Sometimes it is delayed. The lights come in that order. My car diagnostic scanning tool says ABS will fail at 30 mph. I lack the funds to get car looked at.

NHTSA ODI 11485591

After a low impact car accident frint end collision seatbelt on driverside will not release and horn does not work despite no airbag deployment. Also paint on several parts of car look like chalk.

NHTSA ODI 11478708

Electric Power Steering assist occasionally does not work when car is driving under a low speed, making the turning very diffcult.

NHTSA ODI 11476008

Check brake system, check powertrain system, check VAS system keeps making notifications to be checked.

NHTSA ODI 11475976

The "Check Airbag System" light intermittently comes on. At first it came on once every couple of weeks, but now it comes on everyday, especially when it is hot outside. I've looked up my issue online and a lot of other people with the same model are having these issues as well. Given that the airbag won't deploy while this light is on, there definitely should be a deeper cause for concern especially since I'm not the only '13 civic owner with this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11471839

Took Honda to Toyota service dept.was informed i had a faulty Drivers side cable rail,i would think that would be covered as a safety issue.My Honda has 59000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11470871

Paint pealing/chipping near edges of both driver and passenger side window.

NHTSA ODI 11468932

This is the second time I report this problem with the airbags. The check airbag light keep coming on and off, sometimes couple of time a day, specially in hot days. All this started about 2 years ago, and reported here and contact the dealer which they want to charged me for a diagnostic. I seen many people also reporting the same issue here, I hope this can address as soon as possible because is a safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11452762