Do Honda Accords Have Front and Back Brakes?
Yes. Every Honda Accord has both front and rear brakes. Modern Accords (including 2023–2025 models) use four-wheel disc brakes with advanced electronic controls, while some older base trims from the 1990s to early 2000s used rear drum brakes. Understanding how the Accord’s braking system is configured can help with maintenance decisions and expectations about performance and wear.
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What the Accord’s Brake System Includes Today
Recent Honda Accords feature a comprehensive, electronically managed braking setup designed for consistent stopping power, stability, and efficiency. Below are the typical components and technologies you’ll find on late-model Accords.
- Front ventilated disc brakes for strong, heat-resistant stopping power.
- Rear disc brakes on all current trims (U.S. market), paired with stability and traction controls.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) to help prevent wheel lock and balance braking force.
- Brake Assist for added stopping force in emergency braking situations.
- Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold (common from the 2018 generation onward).
- On hybrid models: regenerative braking that recovers energy and blends with friction brakes via an electronic brake controller.
Together, these systems deliver predictable pedal feel and shorter stops while maintaining control. Exact features can vary slightly by trim and market, so check the window sticker or owner’s manual for specifics.
Front vs. Rear: How They Work and Wear
In any passenger car, including the Accord, the front brakes do most of the work—often 60–80%—because weight shifts forward under braking. This means front pads and rotors typically wear faster than the rears. Rear brakes contribute stability, help balance the car under deceleration, and handle the parking brake function (mechanically on older models, electronically on newer ones).
Model-Year Differences at a Glance
While all Accords have front and rear service brakes, the rear brake type and ancillary systems have evolved over time. Here’s a quick overview to place your model in context.
- 2023–2025 (11th generation): Four-wheel disc brakes standard; ABS, stability control, EPB with Auto Hold; hybrids use regenerative braking with electronic blending.
- 2018–2022 (10th generation): Four-wheel disc brakes standard; EPB introduced; broad adoption of advanced driver-assist systems that integrate with braking.
- 2008–2017 (8th and 9th generations): Four-wheel disc brakes common across trims; mechanical parking brake prior to EPB era.
- 1990s–early 2000s: Front disc brakes standard; many trims used rear discs, though some entry-level models in certain markets had rear drum brakes.
If you own an older Accord and are unsure whether you have rear discs or drums, a quick visual check through the wheel spokes or a look at the owner’s manual will confirm the setup.
Maintenance and Safety Tips
Routine brake care is essential for safety and cost control. The following guidance applies broadly to most Accords; always follow the maintenance minder and your owner’s manual for the definitive schedule.
- Inspect pads, rotors, and brake hoses regularly—often at each tire rotation or oil change. Expect front pads to wear faster.
- Replace brake fluid on schedule (Honda commonly specifies about every three years, regardless of mileage); use the fluid type specified in your manual.
- Watch for symptoms: squealing, grinding, pedal pulsation, increased stopping distance, a pull under braking, or dashboard brake warnings.
- For EPB-equipped cars, use the proper service mode or a scan tool when retracting rear calipers to avoid damage.
- Hybrid models require attention to regenerative brake blending; use qualified service procedures and parts to maintain proper pedal feel and performance.
Staying proactive with inspections and following Honda’s service intervals helps maintain braking performance and can prevent more expensive rotor and caliper repairs.
Summary
All Honda Accords have both front and rear brakes. Current models employ four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic controls, and (on hybrids) regenerative braking, while some older base trims used rear drums. Front brakes handle most of the stopping and typically wear faster, and regular inspections plus timely fluid changes are key to safe, consistent performance.
Do brakes come with front and back?
Yes, all modern cars have brakes on all four wheels.
Does my car have front and rear brakes?
Yes, all cars have both front and rear brakes. Modern vehicles typically have disc brakes on the front and either disc or drum brakes on the rear. The front brakes generally handle the majority of the braking force, with the rear brakes providing additional stopping power and stability.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Front brakes: Front brakes are usually disc brakes, which are more effective at dissipating heat, a crucial factor when stopping.
- Rear brakes: Rear brakes can be either disc or drum brakes. Drum brakes are often found on the rear of vehicles, especially older models.
- Braking force distribution: When braking, the weight of the car shifts forward, causing the front tires to bear a greater load. As a result, the front brakes handle a larger portion of the braking effort, typically around 70%.
- Importance of both: While the front brakes handle the majority of the stopping power, the rear brakes are still essential for stability and overall braking performance. They help prevent skidding, especially when braking hard or in wet conditions.
Does the Honda Accord have front and rear brakes?
Honda Accord Rear Brake Pad Replacement
Similarly with front brake pads, your Honda Accord rear brake pads will ordinarily wear down at the same rate on both the left and right side of your vehicle. Keep in mind wear and tear on all brake components depends greatly on your driving habits.
Do Hondas have front and rear brakes?
The CBS (combined braking system, or front and rear wheel linked brakes) are designed to activate the brakes on both wheels by operating only one side. There are two types on the Honda CBS.


