Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 398 owner complaints for the 2006 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (118) and electrical system (75). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
398
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 CR-V vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.

VisibilityReported Dec 10, 2020NHTSA 20V768000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver 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 19V499000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

398 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2006 – Jun 2025
  1. Exterior lighting118
  2. Electrical system75
  3. Air bags74
  4. Power train25
  5. Suspension20
  6. Service brakes20
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  8. Steering17
  9. Structure16

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 CR-V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997108
1998143
1999137
2000139
2001152
2002527
2003494
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008962
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
27
Fires reported
16
Injuries reported
22
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

118 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH at night, the driver's side low beam headlight had failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights operated as needed; however, the driver's side low-beam headlight was inoperable. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local mechanic who replaced the driver's side headlight bulb. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure and had recently occurred to the passenger’s side low beam headlight. The contact researched online and became aware of similar failures with other vehicles. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11639965

Electrical system

75 reports11 fires
“The Vechile Stability Assist (VSA) light came on and took it too my Honda mechanic and confirmed that the Anti-lock Brake System(ABS) module needs to be replaced and this disabled the VSA. Parts+labor over $2,600+ to fix. Called the Manufacturer (Honda) and told me that I would have too first get it fixed and then submit the bill to them and they may reimburse me some of the cost or nothing. Since the ABS component controls brake and stability this a safety issue and therefore subject to a recall. I looked on the web and in the United Kingdom and Canada that Honda has paid in full. In the US, Honda doesn't consider it a defect and thus won't reimburse the owner's for fixing the vehicle. Once again because this an safety issue I believe that Honda should recall these vehicles and cost should be covered by Honda”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2022Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11470404

Air bags

74 reports16 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification and post cards regarding Takata Air bags recall and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2022Air bagsODI 11493959
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-V 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202623$2,800386
CR-V 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900404
CR-V 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 CR-V as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1843
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 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Honda CR-V have?

13 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 CR-V problems?

Owners filed 398 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (118), electrical system (75), air bags (74). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Honda CR-V at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026