Brakes?

[what]

So I have a 2006 LX Coupe MT and apparently, at 18,000 miles they are telling me my front pads are down to 20% and the rear shoes are at 85%. Is this normal for hondas? Can they really put such crappy linings on their cars? My last car was a 2002 VW Golf and I had 60k on the original brakes when my lease ran up.

If this is normal, this will be my last honda.

[sbigshot]

^^ Don't judge the overall quality of the car by a defective set of brakepads ... replace them and keep driving (it's not like they are that expensive or that hard to change out)

[what]

Originally Posted by sbigshot

^^ Don't judge the overall quality of the car by a defective set of brakepads ... replace them and keep driving (it's not like they are that expensive or that hard to change out)

This is my first Honda, I was told about a sterling reputation for reliability/durability. 20,000 miles for front brake pads does not cut it on an ECONOMY car. If this is what I can expect from Honda, I'll be sure not to buy or recommend another.

I'll add this to the list of problems from this supposedly "reliable" manufacturer:
1) airbag light requiring front seat to be torn apart and reupholstered

2) driver side sun visor that keeps breaking

3) poor quality/composition of brake components requiring replacement at the ridiculous interval of 18,000 miles

4) rattles, rattles, rattles


Why do people like hondas? In all honesty, I bought this car for its fuel efficiency. I should have just bought the Rabbit I wanted and, although the economy isn't as good, I know VWs don't need brakes every 18,000 miles.

[SiGTi]

that doesnt sound normal to me at all. i have 25k on my ex coupe and the brakes are fine.

[what]

Originally Posted by SiGTi

that doesnt sound normal to me at all. i have 25k on my ex coupe and the brakes are fine.

it could be that since honda makes active safety optional (4 wheel discs), that the proportioning valve is set up so as to make the fronts do waaaayyyy too much work on non-4-wheel disc models.....?

[av911]

Originally Posted by what

it could be that since honda makes active safety optional (4 wheel discs), that the proportioning valve is set up so as to make the fronts do waaaayyyy too much work on non-4-wheel disc models.....?

LX Coupe....27,000+...no problems.

[what]

Originally Posted by av911

LX Coupe....27,000+...no problems.

I guess I should add I haven't checked my brakes, this is just what the stealer told me.

[av911]

Originally Posted by what

I guess I should add I haven't checked my brakes, this is just what the stealer told me.

Go to another stealer and get another opinion.

[civicowner]

well i agree you shouldnt buy another honda,(if you dont apreciate all the good thing this car offers) better leave that honda for someone else who knows that honda is front runner in safety, design, economy,reliability, and lets not forget COOLNESS. so if premature brake problems makes you think all that about a car manufacturer then maby it's better if you stay away from them cuz no car is perfect imo.

[what]

Originally Posted by civicowner

well i agree you shouldnt buy another honda,(if you dont apreciate all the good thing this car offers) better leave that honda for someone else who knows that honda is front runner in safety, design, economy,reliability, and lets not forget COOLNESS. so if premature brake problems makes you think all that about a car manufacturer then maby it's better if you stay away from them cuz no car is perfect imo.

Apparently the owners are the front runners of being delusional as well.

I'll go through each of your claims

Safety: lets see, on the civics they do include most passive safety features standard, however they only put active safety features (like 4-wheel disc brakes and ESP) on the highest trim levels (EX, Si, Hybrid (not sure about the Hybrid)). I also like how they don't offer options, just overpriced packages.

Design: Subjective. I personally think the 4-door Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, Pilot, CRV are both boring and homely (if that's possible)

Economy: I'll agree here, although now I'll qualify this response and say they are economical when it comes to fuel economy, however when it comes to brakes they aren't very economical, or wiper blades for that matter. Maybe they forgot this was an economy car. Who knows.

reliability: It may not have left me stranded yet, but it sure has annoyed the crap out of me. It may not be reliability, but it certainly is durability and finish when sun visors fall apart and passenger seats have to be torn apart due to warning lights (then again, this did leave me without a car for four days...so maybe that is a reliability issue).

Coolness: Yeah, whatever buddy. Keep drinking that Koolaid.

[sbigshot]

Originally Posted by what

I guess I should add I haven't checked my brakes, this is just what the stealer told me.

If the pads aren't squeaking yet (from the warning tabs) and you haven't taken the wheels off and inspected them yourself, then yes ... by all means, get another opinion.

[sbigshot]

Originally Posted by what

This is my first Honda, I was told about a sterling reputation for reliability/durability. 20,000 miles for front brake pads does not cut it on an ECONOMY car. If this is what I can expect from Honda, I'll be sure not to buy or recommend another.

I'll add this to the list of problems from this supposedly "reliable" manufacturer:
1) airbag light requiring front seat to be torn apart and reupholstered

2) driver side sun visor that keeps breaking

3) poor quality/composition of brake components requiring replacement at the ridiculous interval of 18,000 miles

4) rattles, rattles, rattles


Why do people like hondas? In all honesty, I bought this car for its fuel efficiency. I should have just bought the Rabbit I wanted and, although the economy isn't as good, I know VWs don't need brakes every 18,000 miles.

'06 EX Coupe - 15,000mi - Bought Jan '06 - ZERO Problems

[radiocontrolhead]

I'm sorry to say, but this has been by far the worst post on complaints thus far. This is so ridiculous I don't know where to begin.

To tell you the truth, I don't think those pads are worn down like that mechanic said. He may have overlooked it and gave you the wrong information. And even if this is true, you're bitching about the rest of the car because it's brakes are worn down? Defects happen all the time, and this just may be one of them.

Sell the car and stop complaining, we can't do anything about it over the internet anwyay. And besides, we all think you're crazy for posting this thread because you're bashing the entire vehicle for it's brakes.

[nofd1977]

Originally Posted by radiocontrolhead

I'm sorry to say, but this has been by far the worst post on complaints thus far. This is so ridiculous I don't know where to begin.

To tell you the truth, I don't think those pads are worn down like that mechanic said. He may have overlooked it and gave you the wrong information. And even if this is true, you're bitching about the rest of the car because it's brakes are worn down? Defects happen all the time, and this just may be one of them.

Sell the car and stop complaining, we can't do anything about it over the internet anwyay. And besides, we all think you're crazy for posting this thread because you're bashing the entire vehicle for it's brakes.

I second that!

[ntwrkguy]

You think that's bad? I brought my car into a dealership for scheduled maintenance at around 13,500 miles. I had been hearing squealing from the front brakes for the previous two days, and it just so happened that I had scheduled my appointment soon after it started. They said that the front brake "material" were prematurely worn down and they would replace it under warranty. They called me a few days ago saying they got it in stock now and to bring it in when I have the chance.

[dannn]

Originally Posted by what

it could be that since honda makes active safety optional (4 wheel discs), that the proportioning valve is set up so as to make the fronts do waaaayyyy too much work on non-4-wheel disc models.....?

all cars have the system setup for the fronts to do most of the braking
thats where all the weight is shifting to

[jaker]

Dude, you're ragging on Civic design, and you prefer a RABBIT? Haha. Please, inform us of what else in this world is cool, because aparently we're waaaaay off base.

Seriously, did he say he like the VW Rabbit? Maybe I've been drinking something too...

[uscgbeachbum]

Brakes should last ~50k miles under average driving conditions. Of course, its sacrificial and meant to be consumed thereby making it "difficult" to prove that its due to poor brake design.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by what

Apparently the owners are the front runners of being delusional as well.

I'll go through each of your claims

Safety: lets see, on the civics they do include most passive safety features standard, however they only put active safety features (like 4-wheel disc brakes and ESP) on the highest trim levels (EX, Si, Hybrid (not sure about the Hybrid)). I also like how they don't offer options, just overpriced packages.

Design: Subjective. I personally think the 4-door Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, Pilot, CRV are both boring and homely (if that's possible)

Economy: I'll agree here, although now I'll qualify this response and say they are economical when it comes to fuel economy, however when it comes to brakes they aren't very economical, or wiper blades for that matter. Maybe they forgot this was an economy car. Who knows.

reliability: It may not have left me stranded yet, but it sure has annoyed the crap out of me. It may not be reliability, but it certainly is durability and finish when sun visors fall apart and passenger seats have to be torn apart due to warning lights (then again, this did leave me without a car for four days...so maybe that is a reliability issue).

Coolness: Yeah, whatever buddy. Keep drinking that Koolaid.

I have an SI with 21,000 miles and I have a bad habit of speeding. I had my brakes checked before my deployment and I was shocked to find out how little wear there is on them.

I hate VWs. I have yet to see a single one live up to it's price tag. Because of this I wouldn't be caught dead at a dealership buying one. Yes, my family has them. Yes, they are well kept. I would walk rather than buy a VW. But to each their own.

After reading your complaints the best answer I can give you is go trade it in for a VW. Even if you're upside down, you'd save money on brake pads and wiper blades. If you like VWs so much and you feel they are a better buy than your Civic, go get a VW please.

[Brandon Park]

Hello all,
I thought "what" meant he liked the cute little rabbits running around in the field not the over bloated ol'efolkswagon's just adding a little humor to this post well he does has the right to his opinions i guess when he trades her in he will make some other kid happy. ;-)