The Lemon Index2006 Honda Civic.
The 2006 Honda Civic is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 445 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 202, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 23 to 42 mpg combined. The best Honda Civic year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,462 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Civic year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 100K miles on the car (1,132 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 85K–149K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 30K–59K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 22K–75K miles
Recalls 15
- airbags 2019
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 …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Show all 15 recalls
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, other 2007
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 …
- brakes 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HOUSING USES AN O-RING SEAL TO PREVENT LEAKAGE TO OR FROM THE WHEEL BEARING.
- lights 2007
ON CERTAIN SEDAN AND HYBRID (CNG) VEHICLES, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN MECHANISM MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-LUBRICATED WITH SILICONE GREASE.
- visibility 2006
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.
- equipment 2006
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- airbags 2005
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) CONTAINS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT.
- speed control 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PEDAL WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAY COME LOOSE AT THE FLOOR MOUNTING.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 103 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Popping noise in the front suspension while turning
- Engine oil leaks and power steering fluid leak
- Install crankshaft pulley correctly to prevent oil pump damage
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–3450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
When lowered, found the the driver side sun visor had split open and would not hold in an up position position.
2006 Honda Civic owner · NHTSA complaint 10279891
More owner reports
Sun visors does not stay up flops down and impairs visions.
NHTSA complaint 10266434
Have had the driver's side visor replaced three times for breakage. The passenger side visor replaced two times for breakage. Car was bought on 1/06. Breakage continues. Was covered by warranty but is not anymore.
NHTSA complaint 10239179
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Honda Civic reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 202; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Civic year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2006 Honda Civic problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (23%), visibility (19%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Civic have?
15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Honda Civic get?
23 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 60,900 miles, from 1,132 complaints.
Does the 2006 Honda Civic have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Honda Civic cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $3450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Honda Civic have?
1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda Civic year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works