What 314 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Civic

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.

NHTSA ODI 11745914

car inverter failure, 2013 civic hybrid inverter recall for said year but refuse to include in recall lemon

NHTSA ODI 11732997

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.

NHTSA ODI 11713974

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 113,000. The contact paid for the vehicle in full, and when the Title arrived, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 224,000. The contact reached out to the dealer. However, the dealer had not responded.

NHTSA ODI 11706099

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.

NHTSA ODI 11701597

The hybrid motor DC to DC convert failed. When this fails it stops providing 12 V power to the rest of the vehicle resulting in multiple systems stopping or working very slowly. This vehicle does not have a traditional alternator. There was a TSB and an extended warranty offered to some models, but not all included in the VIN range for this vehicle. The vehicle was scanned and pulls the same codes as the TSB notes as the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11688991

The airbag light comes on sporadically - almost all of the time when it's cold, and then on/off when it is warmer. Throws the code B0001-13 - Open or Increased Resistance in Driver's Airbag Inflator. Brought it to the dealership and they told me that I needed to get the whole driver's side airbag replaced (to the tune of $1300 dollars). With the plethora of recalls surrounding 2000s to 2010s Civics, I have a hard time believing this shouldn't be covered under some sort of recall, especially with the amount of other people online who have experienced the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11593101

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 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

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

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

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the steering wheel and seats would frequently shock her and other occupants while inside the vehicle. The contact stated that her check engine and TPMS warning lights would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer twice for repair; however, the failure remained. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they requested a blueprint of the vehicle's wiring mechanism from the manufacturer. Despite receiving the blueprint and rewiring the vehicle, the mechanic was unable to correct the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure by the contact, but they offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11447330

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that after inserting the key into the ignition switch, the ignition switch would not turn, and the engine could not be started. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The ignition switch was replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11428486

I WAS DRIVING NORMAL ON A BUSY STREET (WITH GAS IN MY TANK) AND SUDDENLY MY CAR AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND KEPT FLASHING. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ABS EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHTS SHOWED UP ON THE SCREEN AND EVERYTHING IN MY CAR STARTED FLASHING AND AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OVER. THE CAR WOULDN'T BREAK EVEN WHEN I WAS PRESSING ON THE BREAK, IT KEPT MOVING EVEN WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TOOK OVER! MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY STREET BY ITSELF. THE EMERGERNCY BREAK LIGHTS ALSO DIDNT TURNED OFF! IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT BECAUSE, I WAS ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR LOCKED AND SHUT OFF. RIGHT NOW I HAD TO GET AAA TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE, NOTHING IS TURNING ON. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS AN MANUFACTURING ISSUE OR NOT?!

NHTSA ODI 11404489

MY WIFE CAME OUT TO USE THE CAR AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT SHE SAID THAT SHE COULDN'T DRIVE IT, STEERING WAS SO HEAVY TO TURN ETC. I WAS SO GLAD IT HAPPENED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN THE STREETS OR FREEWAY WE'RE I THINK SOMETHING BAD WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11374110

THE CAR WOULD CUT OUT WHILE IN MOTION DURING A TURN. (IT LOOKS LIKE I'M STALLING). OTHER TIMES I WILL BE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND FEEL THE CARE LOSING POWER THE MORE I PUSHED ON THE GAS. ONCE I LET MY FOOT OFF IT WOULD HAVE POWER TO GO AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHILE ON CITY STREETS THEN HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN MARCH, WHEN I WENT TO START CAR THE CAR DASHBOARD WENT MAD FLASHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE CAR. I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND IT CONTINUES TO STALL. I NOTICE THAT THE NEWER VEHICLES ARE DOING THE SAME THING AND WONDER IF ITS THE SAME ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESSING.

NHTSA ODI 11331778

THE AUDIO UNIT BACK LIGHT FLICKERS. UPPER DISPLAY IS BLANK AT STARTUP. VOL/SELECTOR KNOB OR HARD KEYS DO NOT WORK. MULTIPLE SOURCES APPEAR ON THE INFORMATIO

NHTSA ODI 11217366

I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY HONDA CIVIC SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING STANDARD. YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDDAL AND IT HESISTATES TO GO AND THEN GOES IMMEDIATELY WHICH MAKES IT FEEL AS IF YOU ARE SHIFTING GEARS. (USED TO DRIVE STANDARD). IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS ON AND LESS WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS OFF BUT IT DOES DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING ON REGULAR STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS. THE CAR SHAKES A LOT WHEN THE AC IS ON. YOU TURN THE AC OFF AND IT STOPS SHAKING. THE CARS ENGINE IS FULL OF RUST THANKS TO HONDA FOR USING CHEAP PARTS TO MAKE THIS CAR. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL HONDAS WITH THE SAME ISSUE OF SEVERAL ENGINE PARTS BEING RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI 11141202

I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT LET ME USE THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED FOR A COUPLE MINUTES ONLY TO TURN OFF AND NOT ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO WORK ANY LONGER

NHTSA ODI 11091444

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2013 CIVIC COUPE, AND HAVE LOVED IT SINCE. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE PAST MONTH, CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT HAS COME ON, FIRST TIME DURING THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD AND STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT CONTINUED TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING, AND EVENTUALLY STARTED COMING ON WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR, STATIONARY. IT DOES NOT COME ON EVERY SINGLE TIME, BUT COMES ON VERY VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND THEY NEED TO RECALL THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TO SEE HOW MUCH HONDA WOULD CHARGE TO FIX IT, AND THEY SAID $140 JUST TO DIAGNOSE, AND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE PARTS COSTING UP TO $1300 TO REPAIR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE TO PAY THIS AMOUNT FOR A CAR AND A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE AND TRUSTED BRANDS ON THE MARKET. THE REASON I CHOSE A HONDA CIVIC WAS BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATE OF PROBLEMS, AND THIS IS THE HUGEST PROBLEM THAT CAN OCCUR, A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM, VERY DISAPPOINTED. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF PEOPLE GETTING IN CRASHES AND THE AIRBAG NOT GOING OFF, HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AND LIFE THREATENING, EVEN IF THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RED FLAG TO ANYONE WHO OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC IF THE LIGHT HAS COME ON OR NOT!! ATLEAST 4 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA AND 2013 KIA FORTE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEMS REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IMMEDIATELY BY HONDA AND NHTSA AND LOOKED INTO ASAP. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM, KNOW SOMEONE WITH A HONDA CIVIC, OR HAS OCCURRED TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW. BY WRITING COMPLAINTS ON HERE, AND CONTACTING HONDA, WE CAN HELP RAISE AWARENESS TO THE NHTSA AND HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL, SO NO MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO STRESS, WORRY, OR BE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FROM THE AIRBAG SYSTEM!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11080782

'TAKATA RECALL' I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL SAYING THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. THE 'CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM' WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY IN MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG OR GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I WENT TO THE WEBSITE PROVIDED, ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER BUT IT SAID MY CAR WAS NOT EFFECTED. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2013 CIVIC MODEL FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS!! SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF IT!!

NHTSA ODI 11074651

THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SHORT 12 MILE TRIP . AFTER THE CAR BATTERY WAS JUMPED I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND ACCORDING TO THEM THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE BATTERY TEST FIND AS DID ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.THAT INCIDENT WAS MY FIRST ON ---12/09/2017------ TODAY 2/8/2018 WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND AGAIN IT TESTED FIND AFTER A JUMP. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE I CAN NOT COUNT THIS CAR AS RELIABLE IF IT IS GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED! THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. BUT WHEN I GOT READY TO GO NOTHING, NO START. WE HAD TO CALL THE CAMPUS POLICE FOR HELP WITH A BOOST.

NHTSA ODI 11071872