2006 Honda Civic

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Honda Civic
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1986 1987: 39 complaints 1988: 46 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 91 complaints 1991: 110 complaints 1992: 98 complaints 1992 1993: 146 complaints 1994: 135 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1998 1999: 338 complaints 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2004 2005: 314 complaints 2006: 1402 complaints 2006 2007: 1203 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2010: 396 complaints 2010 2011: 168 complaints 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 314 complaints 2014: 290 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1059 complaints 2016 2017: 574 complaints 2018: 708 complaints 2019: 406 complaints 2020: 216 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 877 complaints 2022 2023: 249 complaints 2024: 116 complaints 2025: 62 complaints 2026: 23 complaints 2026
2006: 1402 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198846
198969
199091
1991110
199298
1993146
1994135
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071203
2008914
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013314
2014290
2015377
20161059
2017574
2018708
2019406
2020216
2021133
2022877
2023249
2024116
202562
202623

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 16%

16% of complaints: engine — 227 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171205

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKED STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO COOLANT LEAK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120911

VISIBILITY 14%

14% of complaints: visibility — 195 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 155 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2006 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the husband was idling behind a bus, a second vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into the rear end of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231204

I WAS IN A FRONT-END ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130720

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STERNUM AND CARTILAGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130305

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 116 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 91 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20051114 — vehicle speed control

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PEDAL WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAY COME LOOSE AT THE FLOOR MOUNTING.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 05V509000 — check if this car was fixed

2006 — complaint volume: 1402
R 20060116 — air bags

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

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 05V572000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060802 — equipment

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.

Remedy: 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 O

Campaign 06V270000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060825 — visibility

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.

Remedy: 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 1-800-999-1

Campaign 06V326000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070925 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 EN

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 07V399000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071002 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 07V402000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071115 — fuel system, other

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 V

Remedy: 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 A

Campaign 07V512000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161115 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V346000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170222 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171030 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V545000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190705 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V378000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V502000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (227 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (195 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (155 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V509000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V572000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V270000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V326000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V399000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V402000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V512000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V346000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V030000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V545000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V378000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V502000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2001 ■ 2016

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Honda Civic reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Honda Civic is rated "significantly worse".

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

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Civic have?

15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.