2006 Honda Civic Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 4th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 55 complaints, 7 recalls, and 3 crashes, with electrical system problems (38% of complaints) leading the way.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #4 of 12 Civic Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 42
- 40 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System21 (38%)
- Engine14 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (24%)
- Fuel System9 (16%)
- Airbags6 (11%)
- Brakes5 (9%)
- Steering5 (9%)
- Other4 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the IMA (integrated motor assist) battery draining within a half mile of driving if the car sat parked for a day or more.
- After a 2010 IMA software update, several drivers said acceleration became weak or hesitant, making it hard to merge onto highways.
- Some owners describe the hybrid battery assist cutting out sporadically, requiring the gas pedal to be pushed to the floor for power.
- One driver reported the CVT transmission slipping, struggling on hills, and failing to engage properly after stops.
- Two brake-related complaints described sudden loss of stopping power, in one case leading to a crash.
- A Takata airbag recall case involved a rear-end collision where none of the airbags deployed.
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
- NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
- NHTSA 17V030000Jan 10, 2017Airbags977,708 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 40 MPG
- Highway
- 45 MPG
- Combined
- 42 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Civic Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid reliable?
- It ranks 4th worst among 12 model years of the Civic Hybrid, with a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid?
- Electrical system issues make up 38% of complaints, mostly related to the IMA hybrid battery and a 2010 software update. Engine (25%) and transmission (24%) issues follow.
- Does the 2006 Civic Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including four separate Takata airbag inflator recalls and one for the IMA voltage converter.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 105,617, though electrical system failures reported a lower median of 84,175 miles.
- How does the 2006 model compare to other Civic Hybrid years?
- It is worse than the 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years but better than 2005, 2007, and 2008, which are rated Avoid.