The 2013 Honda Civic, in the United States, uses rear disc brakes on its standard passenger trims. There are no factory rear drum brakes on the common US-spec 2013 Civic lineup.
Brake system overview for the 2013 Civic
In the 9th-generation Civic (model years 2012–2015), Honda standardized disc brakes at the rear across mainstream trims to improve braking performance. The US market’s DX, LX, EX, and EX-L trims all use rear disc brakes, and the performance-oriented Civic Si also relies on four-wheel discs. ABS and electronic brake distribution (EBD) are typically standard across these models. Note that hybrids or regional variants can differ, so always refer to the owner’s manual or the vehicle’s VIN-based specification for your exact car.
Key attributes of the braking setup in 2013 Civics include:
- Front brakes: vented disc brakes for improved cooling and stopping power.
- Rear brakes: disc brakes (not drums) on US-spec models.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard across trims.
- Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) implemented to optimize brake force between wheels.
- Parking brake is typically cable-actuated and engages the rear discs on most trims.
In practice, this means owners can expect consistent braking performance with rear discs contributing to stable deceleration and less fade under repeated braking compared to drum setups.
How to verify on your own Civic
Parts and brake configurations can vary by market and production date. Here is how to confirm what your specific car has:
- Park the car on a level surface and safely remove a rear wheel to inspect the brake hardware at the rear. If you can see a rotor and caliper, your car has rear discs; if you see a sealed drum, it has rear drums (extremely unlikely for a 2013 US Civic).
- Check the owner's manual or the service data label inside the glove box or trunk for “Rear brake type” information.
- If in doubt, contact a Honda dealer with your VIN to confirm the exact brake arrangement for your vehicle.
For motorists seeking maintenance guidance, rear disc brakes generally require pad replacement and rotor resurfacing or replacement on a similar cycle to the front discs, with standard inspection intervals noted in the owner's manual.
Summary
The 2013 Honda Civic used rear disc brakes on the vast majority of US-spec models, aligning with Honda’s design for improved braking performance. While regional variations can exist, the standard 2013 Civic does not come with rear drum brakes. If you need absolute certainty for a particular car, consult the owner’s manual or confirm via the VIN with a Honda dealer.