Research · Compact Cars

2006 Honda Civic HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 1,459 owner complaints for the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. Most complaints involve engine (232) and visibility (210). The EPA rates it 42 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
42mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
1,459
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 10, 2017NHTSA 17V030000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,459 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2005 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine232
  2. Visibility210
  3. Suspension205
  4. Air bags187
  5. Engine and engine cooling157
  6. Electrical system121
  7. Power train89
  8. Structure78
  9. Tires56

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Civic Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200435
200548
20061,459
20071,268
2008980
2009424
2010410
2011166
2012454
2013310
2014282
2015365
202515
Crashes reported
82
Fires reported
21
Injuries reported
72
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

232 reports1 crash10 fires
“cracked engine block leaking coolant. Honda says it's not covered after the extended warranty expired. The issue starts happening in many vehicles after 100K miles and my car started seeing the issue at 135K miles . Dealer will not help, Honda of America won't help. this needs to turn into a recall please. Honda must reimburse or have the crack fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2025EngineODI 11695574

Visibility

210 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE, EXCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEFROST STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2015Electrical system, Visibility, EngineODI 10704032

Suspension

205 reports5 crashes
“LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM LEFT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY RIGHT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK ENGINE OIL LEAK GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED STARTER FAILED ALTERNATOR FAILED AIR FILTER GETS CLOGGED PREMATURELY POWER STEERING PUMP HOSES CRACKED AND LEAKED POWER STEERING AIR PRESSURE HOSES CRACKED AND LEAKED POWER STEERING INTAKE HOSE CRACKED AND LEAKED POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE CRACKED AND LEAKED MASTER WINDOW POWER SWITCH ON DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED REAR BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAT ARE V VERY COSTLY AND KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AT HONDA CORP AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY AND CONTAINED METAL FRAGMENTS THAT COULD KILL OCCUPANTS BECAUSE THEY PUNCTURE A PERSON'S HEART AND KILL THEM INSTANTLY IF THEY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH UNRECALLED AIR BAGS MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM UNREPAIRED RECALLS ON THE AIR BAGS BECAUSE OF THE METAL FRAGMENTS PUNCTURING THEIR HEARTS CAUSING THEM INSTANT DEATH OR DEATH AFTER FIVE MINUTES MANY CHP OFFICERS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN TOO MANY DEATHS FROM THE AIRBAGS BEING UNREPAIRED AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2025Steering, Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11653066
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic Hybrid
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
404542$1,500212
  • Civic Hybrid
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    40 city · 45 hwy · $1,500/yr
    42
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1986
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Civic Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 1,459 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (232), visibility (210), suspension (205). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid at 42 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026