YearToAvoid

2006 Honda Civic Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2006 Honda Civic has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 1,402 complaints, 13 recalls, and Engine as the top problem area with 411 complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 Civic years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,402
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
13
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
78
reported in complaints
Fires
21
Injuries
68
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28.5
25 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
68 / 3

Top 2006 Honda Civic problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine411 (29%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires261 (19%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers237 (17%)
  4. Airbags180 (13%)
  5. Electrical System119 (8%)
  6. Structure & Body97 (7%)
  7. Other93 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain76 (5%)
  9. Brakes65 (5%)
  10. Steering44 (3%)

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 airbags failing to deploy in front and side impact crashes, sometimes with all airbags staying inactive.
  • Some describe the accelerator pedal sticking or the engine surging suddenly, including cases while parking or backing up.
  • Steering wheel and axle components reportedly fractured after low-speed contact with curbs, with owners saying the vehicle sat too low to the ground.
  • Several complaints describe brake pedal application causing the vehicle to pull, lock up, or spin unexpectedly at highway speed.
  • Owners report a sudden loss of electric power steering at low speed, followed by a warning light and loss of control.
  • Seat belts reportedly failed to retract properly, contributing to injuries during a crash.
2006 Honda Civic complaints: complaints filed per quarter1112005 Q42008 Q22010 Q42013 Q22015 Q42018 Q22020 Q42023 Q3
1,402 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2010 Q3 (111).

2006 Honda Civic recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 18V268000Apr 26, 2018Airbags1,335 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    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. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

See all 13 recalls for the 2006 Honda Civic →

2006 Honda Civic fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
28.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,200
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution253151030
2006Avoid901,4021328.5
2007Avoid951,204928.5
2008Avoid75916728.5

All Honda Civic years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Honda Civic reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2006 Civic ranks 3rd worst out of 21 Civic model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 1,402 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Civic years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Honda Civic?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, with 411 complaints making up 29% of all reports and a median failure mileage of 86,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Honda Civic have a recall?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2006 Civic, most involving airbag inflator replacement, plus recalls covering the fuel system and brake wheel speed sensors.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2006 Honda Civic?
NHTSA lists 1,402 complaints for the 2006 Civic, including 78 crashes, 21 fires, 68 injuries, and 3 deaths.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Honda Civic?
The EPA rates the 2006 Civic at 28.5 mpg combined (25 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.