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Research · Subcompact Cars · 3 NHTSA variants

2006 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 1,411 owner complaints for the 2006 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve engine (230) and visibility (210). The EPA rates it 23–30 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–30mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
15campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
1,411
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

15 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

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 26, 2018NHTSA 18V268000
See all 15 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,411 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2005 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine230
  2. Visibility210
  3. Suspension203
  4. Air bags184
  5. Engine and engine cooling151
  6. Electrical system100
  7. Structure79
  8. Power train76
  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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996314
1997383
1998450
1999348
2000297
20011,089
2002717
2003525
2004351
2005316
20061,411
20071,212
2008923
2009398
2010400
2011170
2012462
2013320
2014293
2015389
20161,083
2017608
2018602
2019460
2020240
2021162
2022962
2023338
2024144
202588
202632
Crashes reported
79
Fires reported
21
Injuries reported
70
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

230 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

203 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
All 2006 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl cng · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas · Premium 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 6, 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
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263630$2,150296
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200306
Civic CNG
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243628$1,650251
Civic
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
  • Civic
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Civic CNG
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    24 city · 36 hwy · $1,650/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Honda Civic as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 1874Vehicle 1873
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Civic have?

15 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 problems?

Owners filed 1,411 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (230), visibility (210), suspension (203). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Honda Civic at 23–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026