Is the 2006 Honda Civic a bad year?
1,404 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 377, 16× a quiet Civic year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 16× the complaints of a quiet Civic year, spread over 61k–130k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Civic owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 361 (26%) | 63k–132k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 48 (3%) | 26k–109k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Air bags | 181 (13%) | 34k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 78 (6%) | 30k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 23 (2%) | 30k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 19 (1%) | 34k–104k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 16 (1%) | 29k–128k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 239 (17%) | 32k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 203 (14%) | 24k–74k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 100 (7%) | 35k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 76 (5%) | 22k–77k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 61 (4%) | 15k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| TiresSTANDS OUT | 56 (4%) | 20k–38k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 44 (3%) | 19k–82k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,404 complaints: 79 mention a crash · 21 mention a fire · 56 report an injury · 26 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving on a state highway engine overheated with coolant leaking from a crack in the engine block.
I have a 2006 Honda Civic and the A/C went out because a rock hit the condenser. This is a product design flaw.
Sunday on my way back home I smelled coolant, I stop immediately and checked it out to find a puddle under the car.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 90,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Honda Civic: 15
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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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.
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators. 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.
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. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
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. Failure may result in a loss of brake lights and an increased risk that the vehicle could be struck in the rear.
On certain vehicles, the wheel speed sensor housing uses an o-ring seal to prevent leakage to or from the wheel bearing. This could cause a wheel to fall off of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.
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. 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.
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. The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. In certain circumstances, a deploying front passenger air bag can increase the risk of injury to an infant or small child.
Certain passenger vehicles, the pedal were not properly installed and may come loose at the floor mounting. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 60
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Honda Civic. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Beginning September 26, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will enforce proper…
Beginning August 29, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will require proper engine…
On some 2006 - 08 and early production 2009 Civics, the engine (cylinder) block may leak engine coolant, resulting in engine overheating
Is the MIL on with DTC P0606 (Ecm/pcm processor malfunction)
Neighbouring years
2005 Civic: 316 complaints, keep it · 2007 Civic: 1,203 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Honda Civic year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Civic years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Honda Civic a bad year?
1,404 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 377, 16× a quiet Civic year. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 16× the complaints of a quiet Civic year, spread over 61k–130k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Civic?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (361), wheels (48), air bags (181), body structure (78), exterior lighting (23). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 61k–130k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Civic have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-502), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-378), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-268), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-545) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.