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Honda Civic Brake Won’t Work/Move/Release

When purchasing a vehicle, one considers a variety of factors. One of them is reliability, primarily because cars are a big-ticket purchase. Despite doing all the due diligence before making a splurge, cars can disappoint at times like any other running machine, even a Honda Civic.

If your Honda Civic brake won’t work, move, or release, you can rock the vehicle with your foot off the brake and then press the brake when the car is in motion. Finally, apply the pressure to the shift. Alternatively, you can also remotely start the vehicle.

A foot stepping on the car brake pedal

In this article, I’ll look into the various brake-related problems that affect Honda’s compact car, the Honda Civic. I’ll look at a variety of topics, including:

  • Honda civic brake won’t move/stuck
  • Honda Civic won’t start check brake system
  • Honda civic e-brake won’t disengage
  • Honda civic parking brake problem
  • Honda civic brake caliper problems/stuck/sticking
  • Honda civic brake pedal locked
  • Honda civic brake pedal goes to the floor

Honda Civic Brake Won’t Move/Stuck

Car gas and foot pedals

Parking brakes can be problematic when you park your car on a hill. This is because gravity exerts pressure on the parking lock in the transmission. Consequently, the parking brake will be stuck and won’t budge no matter how hard you try.

It’s a common issue when you don’t use your parking brakes while parking on a hill. Another issue that could lock the brakes is when you press the brake pedal multiple times while the engine is off. The latter locks the brakes, preventing the pedal from moving completely.

How To Fix

Rock the Vehicle

A quick fix is rocking the vehicle, but it can be quite dangerous, so pay attention. This will fix the parking brake issue:

  1. Turn the vehicle engine on.
  2. With your foot off the brake, throw your weight around to rock the vehicle.
  3. Press the brake after moving the car a bit; the trick here is to time when rocking so you can remove the pressure from the parking lock.
  4. Finally, apply pressure to the shift.

Remote Start

If you pressed the brake pedal multiple times with the car turned off, locking the brakes, a remote start will fix the issue. To remote start your Honda Civic, do the following:

  1. Press the lock button.
  2. Press and hold the engine button for around 5 seconds, this will start the engine. remotely, and the brakes will be unlocked.

Honda Civic Won’t Start Check the Brake System

A car mechanics hands adjusting brake caliper

Modern cars use indicator lights to help pinpoint the underlying issue. If the car won’t start yet, and the brake system indicator light is turned on on the Honda civic, there could be two possible causes. One, the problem could be the car’s electronic parking brake is stuck. Two, there may be issues with the battery, the terminals, or the battery is dead.

How To Fix

Recharge the Battery if Low, or Replace It if Dead

Start with checking your car battery. If the battery has low power, the brake system and other vehicle systems that depend on it won’t work. The car won’t start either. Signs that your battery is low include dimming headlights, slow crank, backfiring, and a slow engine start.

Honda Civic E-Brake Won’t Disengage

A car mechanic fixing a brake pad

One common issue causing the Honda Civic E-Brake to remain engaged involves a compromised brake cable, which can become seized due to corrosion or the accumulation of debris. Addressing this requires a thorough inspection of the brake cable for evident wear or corrosion, followed by appropriate lubrication or replacement to guarantee the E-Brake’s smooth operation and successful disengagement.

Occasionally, the inability of the Honda Civic E-Brake to disengage may stem from a defective brake caliper, a pivotal component in the braking system that can become stuck or seized, thereby inhibiting the E-Brake from releasing even when it is disengaged. A detailed examination of the brake caliper for visible wear, damage, or leaks, and subsequent replacement or repair as required, can ameliorate the issue. Given the braking system’s vital role, it is recommended to enlist professional assistance to ensure a precise diagnosis and safe repair or replacement of the brake caliper, thereby maintaining the vehicle’s optimal functionality and safety.

Another potential cause for the E-Brake’s failure to disengage could be attributed to a misadjusted brake lever or handle, which may not fully release the brake mechanism, thereby preventing the E-Brake from disengaging. Rectifying this issue may involve adjusting the brake lever to ensure it fully releases the brake mechanism. Typically, this can be achieved by modifying the tension on the brake cable via the adjustment nut situated near the lever or handle. However, due to the critical nature of accurate brake operation, it may be prudent to seek professional adjustment to ensure the E-Brake functions safely and effectively.

Honda Civic Parking Brake Problem

Car parking brake

Honda has had its fair share of criticism over the Civics’ parking brake issues. Honda Civic customers even sued the company in a class-action lawsuit in 2018. Part of the parking brake problems includes failure to engage when exiting the car and opening the driver-side doors. The company also recalled 350,000 civics over the same in 2016.

How To Fix

If the parking brake won’t automatically engage when you exit the vehicle, visit your local dealership for help. A dealer should help update the software system that runs the electronic parking brake to clear out the parking brake problem. But if the parking brake issue corresponds to other problems I’ve addressed in this article, refer to the relevant sections.

Honda Civic Brake Caliper Problems/Stuck/Sticking

Red car brake caliper

Another issue you might experience with the Honda Civic is the brake caliper issue. The brake caliper can be stuck or have some other problem due to different situations. Caliper sticking symptoms are shown in a variety of ways. These include a strong smell, a drastic increase in fuel consumption per mile, smoke from the rear wheel, and you’ll notice the car tries to drag itself to a specific direction, to where the caliper is stuck.

Common Causes

Brake caliper issues are commonly caused by brake caliper bolts, caliper slides, caliper pistons, brake horses, or the metallic brake line. A strong force can cause the metallic brake line to bend. When this happens, it will cause caliper problems. For caliper pistons, the rubber seal around them could be spoilt, resulting in the issue.

The brake horse can also cause the brake caliper to get stuck due to breakage or debris accumulation inside. Brake caliper bolts ensure that the calipers stay in place while allowing some degree of freedom. If this freedom is messed up, the calipers will be stuck. Caliper slides press and disengages the rotor accordingly. When interfered with, they will not be able to disengage, thus leading to stuck brake calipers.

How To Fix

Different brake parts can cause the brake caliper issue, as mentioned above. If either of the mentioned parts is the issue, a replacement will have to be done. Whether it’s the brake caliper bolts, caliper slides, brake hose, or crimped brake line, visit a mechanic for replacement. You can also do it yourself.

Honda Civic Brake Pedal Locked

Car brake and gas pedals

Honda cars are mostly affected by this issue due to different reasons. The common problem is when the civics’ battery is dead or has a low charge. With a relatively new car, you should check out the battery charge level. A multimeter can help with that.

I recommend the AstroAI Digital Multimeter for its robust feature proposition. It includes a backlight LCD, data storage, low battery indicator, and multiple measurement support, including AC/DC Voltage, DC Current, Resistance, Continuity, and Diodes.

How To Fix

You should recharge your battery if it runs low. A jump-start can be handy if you’re stuck on the road. Your car battery might also be dead, and you might need to replace it. Once you’ve recharged or replaced the battery, your brake pedal should continue working flawlessly.

Honda Civic Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor

A foot pressing down on a car brake pedal

Typically, a brake pedal shows resistance while slowing down the car. However, in some instances, you might find your brake pedal going to the floor to stop your Civic. This is not natural and can be caused by various issues, including a failing master cylinder, leaking brake fluid, or air in the braking system. Overheating of the brake system can also cause this.

How To Fix

Replace the Master Cylinder

The master cylinder can fail at times, thus not holding the substantial pressure needed to brake the car before the pedal reaches the floor. Worn-out seals can also cause this. To replace the master cylinder, you’ll have to visit a reputable mechanic. This is certainly not a DIY thing, especially not for beginners.

Inspect the Brake System for Leakages

Another reason for the brake pedal reaching the floor is brake fluid leakage. Visit a mechanic and let them inspect the whole braking system for any leakages. Substantial drops in brake fluid levels in the reservoir commonly indicate leakages. Leaks can affect various locations, so get the entire braking system inspected.

Inspect the Brake System for Air

If you’ve recently replaced your brake fluid, chances are the process was not done perfectly. When air is inside the system, it prevents the total transfer of pressure to the brake pads without hitting the floor. If this is the case, have your brake fluid flushed carefully, so no air enters the system.

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Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Mar 3, 2021. .

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The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Mar 3, 2021..

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