2006 Honda Civic Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 1,403 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Civic years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 1,403 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Honda Civic. That is the most of any Civic model year in the database (32 years). The most reported problem area is engine (227 complaints, 16%), typically at around 117,000 miles. Complaints mention 78 crashes, 21 fires, 68 injuries. There are 13 safety recalls covering this model year.

Honda Civic
Honda Civic Sedan (FE) Washington DC, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2006 Honda Civic problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine227 · ~117,000 mi
Visibility210 · ~44,000 mi
Suspension203 · ~41,252 mi
Air Bags180 · ~80,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling151 · ~67,000 mi
Electrical System100 · ~53,000 mi
Structure78 · ~66,000 mi
Power Train76 · ~50,000 mi
Unknown or Other60 · ~82,500 mi
Tires55 · ~25,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems22716%117,000“engine block” (63%)$4,250
Visibility problems21015%44,000“sun visor” (48%)$150
Suspension problems20314%41,252“rear tires” (36%)$810
Air Bags problems18013%80,000“takata air bags” (13%)$1,950
Engine and Engine Cooling problems15111%67,000“engine block” (36%)$1,350
Electrical System problems1007%53,000“software update” (11%)—
Structure problems786%66,000“clear coat” (18%)$1,250
Power Train problems765%50,000“3rd gear” (13%)—
Unknown or Other604%82,500——
Tires problems554%25,000“rear tires” (53%)—
Wheels483%69,500——
Steering443%44,456——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic433%20,000——
Vehicle Speed Control403%25,000——
Equipment312%18,000——
Visibility/wiper292%80,000——
Exterior Lighting232%43,000——
Seat Belts161%85,160——
Seats161%104,404——
Service Brakes161%89,320——
Fuel/propulsion System111%103,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline60%30,000——
Latches/locks/linkages50%51,884——
Hybrid Propulsion System30%50,000——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility20%51,834——
Fuel System, Other20%49,000——
Service Brakes, Electric20%62,500——
Traction Control System20%46,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)10%61,000——
Lane Departure10%———
Parking Brake10%31,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 256 complaints
2005: 220052006: 702007: 8720072008: 1262009: 16020092010: 2562562011: 12120112012: 402013: 6720132014: 612015: 4920152016: 1242017: 9220172018: 502019: 4020192020: 112021: 1220212022: 202023: 620232024: 42025: 320252026: 2

n = 1,403 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2006 Honda Civic recalls (13)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJun 27, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V502000 · 9,555 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleMay 16, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V378000 · 19,138 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleApr 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V268000 · 1,335 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleAug 31, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V545000 · 3,257 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJan 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V030000 · 977,708 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleMay 24, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V346000 · 2,719,386 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

Fuel system, other:storage:tank assemblyNov 1, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V512000 · 6,545 vehicles

Problem: On certain compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the cng tank may be heated unevenly, preventing the pressure relief device from venting the contents of the tank as designed.

Risk: This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning november 26, 2007. When parts are available, owners will be renotified asking them to bring in their vehicle for repair. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ringSep 5, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V399000 · 260,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain vehicles, the wheel speed sensor housing uses an o-ring seal to prevent leakage to or from the wheel bearing. If assembled improperly, the o-ring may not seal properly allowing water to enter the wheel bearing and eventually cause damage to the bearing, especially in areas where use of road salt is prevalent. If the driver continues to drive with this condition it is possible for the wheel bearing to become loose, which could cause the bearing to fail.

Risk: This could cause a wheel to fall off of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear abs sensors and wheel bearings for damaged parts and replace them free of charge. The recall began on september 25, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Exterior lighting:brake lights:switchSep 5, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V402000 · 130,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain sedan and hybrid (cng) vehicles, during assembly, the telescopic steering column mechanism may have been over-lubricated with silicone grease. Over time, some of this extra grease may drip on the brake light switch causing the switch to fail.

Risk: Failure may result in a loss of brake lights and an increased risk that the vehicle could be struck in the rear. In addition, a failed brake light switch could prevent shifting the transmission from the park position (vehicles with an automatic transmission).

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective cover overthe switch free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Visibility:glass, side/rearAug 31, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V326000 · 774 vehicles

Problem: On certain 2-door passenger vehicles, the rear windshield or rear quarter glass panels do not properly adhere to the body of the car due to improper window opening preparation.

Risk: The rear windshield or rear quarter glass panels may become loose, rattle or lift from the window opening or separate from the window while driving increasing the safety hazard to traffic.

Fix: Dealers will repair the vehicle by removing the glass, properly preparing the window opening, and reinstalling the glass. The recall began on august 25, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Equipment:other:owners/service/other manualJul 26, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V270000 · 1,190,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (nhtsa) vehicle safety hotline.

Risk: The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.

Fix: Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct nhtsa vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009, acura at 1-800-382-2238 or honda motorcycles at 1-866-784-1870.

Air bags:frontalDec 27, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V572000 · 12,756 vehicles

Problem: On certain 2-door passenger vehicles, the front passenger occupant detection system (ods) contains a faulty electronic component. As a result, the ods will not function properly and will not suppress front passenger air bag deployment when the weight of an infant or small child is detected in the front passenger seat.

Risk: In certain circumstances, a deploying front passenger air bag can increase the risk of injury to an infant or small child.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ods unit, free of charge. The recall began on january 16, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedalNov 3, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V509000 · 25,298 vehicles

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles, the pedal were not properly installed and may come loose at the floor mounting.

Risk: If the accelerator pedal is not inserted properly, the pedal can come loose from the pedal stopper causing the throttle to become stuck increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reset the pedal or replace the whole assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

While driving on a public roadway, the tempered rear windshield spontaneously shattered with a violent, extremely loud pop resembling a gunshot. There was no vehicle ahead of me, no overpass, and absolutely no external object or projectile impacted the glass. The glass immediately webbed entirely…

Visibility/wiper · received Oct 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770506

The contact's daughter owns a 2006 Honda Civic equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Kumho ECSTA XII, Tire Size: 205/55/R16, DOT Number: 15MA0-1AH0-2424. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the rear driver’s side tire and the rear passenger’s side tire were bald and had no…

Tires · received Jan 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11708335

cracked engine block leaking coolant. Honda says it's not covered after the extended warranty expired. The issue starts happening in many vehicles after 100K miles and my car started seeing the issue at 135K miles . Dealer will not help, Honda of America won't help. this needs to turn into a recall…

Engine · received Oct 25, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11695574

- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My 2006 Honda Civic engine overheated. Upon diagnosis it was found that radiator coolant had leaked out due to cracks in the engine block (short block). Engine malfunction. - How was your safety or…

Engine · received Jul 12, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11673094

Left front lower control arm right front lower control arm left front strut assembly right front strut assembly power steering fluid leak engine oil leak gasket needed to be replaced rear brake light failed starter failed alternator failed air filter gets clogged prematurely power steering pump…

Suspension · received Apr 6, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11653066

Other Honda Civic years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Civic?

Owners most often report engine, visibility, suspension problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 227 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Honda Civic?

Yes, 13 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2006 Honda Civic a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Civic model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.