The 2006 Civic is generally reliable but suffers from notorious automatic transmission failures and cracked engine blocks on early R18 motors—both expensive fixes that can total an otherwise solid commuter car.
Automatic Transmission Failure (8th Gen CVT/5-speed Auto)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Slipping between gears, especially 2nd-3rd on 5-speed auto, Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, Check engine light with P0730, P0740, P0780 codes, Burned transmission fluid smell, metal shavings in pan
Fix: Rebuild or replace transmission. Rebuilt units run 12-18 hours labor; used OEM replacement slightly less. Torque converter and valve body are common culprits but full rebuild often needed by 120k. Honda extended warranty on some VINs but expired years ago.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Cracked Engine Block (R18 1.8L)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no external leaks, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Overheating or fluctuating coolant temp, Milky oil or coolant in oil pan
Fix: Hairline cracks between cylinders on early R18 blocks allow coolant into combustion chambers. No reliable repair—requires short block or complete engine replacement. 16-22 hours labor for swap. Some TSBs exist but no recall. Affected blocks typically 2006-2008 production.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Front Engine Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Engine rocking visibly in bay during acceleration, Metallic bang over bumps
Fix: Hydraulic front mount collapses, causing drivetrain movement. Replace front and transmission mounts together—they share load. 2-3 hours labor. Use OEM Honda mounts; aftermarket units fail in 20k miles.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Airbag Inflator Recall (Takata)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Passenger airbag light may illuminate (not always), No symptoms until deployment—then risk of shrapnel, Recall notice from Honda by VIN
Fix: Takata passenger airbag inflators can explode on deployment in high-humidity climates. Six separate recalls on 2006 Civics. Dealer-only repair, parts still backordered in some regions as of 2024. Check VIN status at Honda.com—do NOT drive until fixed if active recall.
Estimated cost: $0 (dealer warranty)
Fuel Tank Rust and Check-Valve Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Fuel smell near filler neck or rear seat area, Difficulty filling tank—pump clicks off repeatedly, Evap system codes P0441, P0455, P0456, Visible rust around filler neck or straps (rust-belt cars)
Fix: Fuel tank coatings fail in salt states; filler neck check valve sticks everywhere. Tank drop for inspection/replacement is 3-4 hours. Neck/seal job is 1.5 hours. Recall 16V-224 covers some filler necks for fire risk—check VIN.
Estimated cost: $450-1,200
Clear-Coat Failure (Certain Paint Codes)
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Peeling or cloudy clear coat on hood, roof, trunk, Especially common on silver and black Civics, Sun-exposed panels worst affected
Fix: 2006-2008 Civic paint (especially Atomic Blue and Nighthawk Black) suffers UV clear-coat delamination. Not mechanical but tanks resale. Full respray of affected panels runs 8-12 hours body work. Honda settled a class-action but window closed ~2015.
Estimated cost: $800-2,000
Owner tips
Check transmission fluid every 30k and change at 50k regardless of 'lifetime fluid' claim—use Honda ATF-Z1 only
Verify Takata airbag recall completion before purchase; it's a safety showstopper
If buying an R18 car, get a block test and pressure-test cooling system—walk away from cracked blocks
Replace front engine mount preemptively at 80k; it'll go anyway and prevents worse damage
Buy a manual-transmission Si or EX if possible; avoid early auto-trans and R18 motors unless you can document block replacement or thorough inspection.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V502000
2019-06-27 · EA15001
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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V378000
2019-05-16
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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V268000
2018-04-26
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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 17V545000
2017-08-31
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 17V030000
2017-01-10 · EA15001
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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V346000
2016-05-24 · EA15001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot 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, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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."
Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and 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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
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 OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING · 07V399000
2007-09-05
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HOUSING USES AN O-RING SEAL TO PREVENT LEAKAGE TO OR FROM THE WHEEL BEARING. IF ASSEMBLED IMPROPERLY, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE WHEEL BEARING AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE BEARING, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE USE OF ROAD SALT IS PREVALENT. IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH THIS CONDITION IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEEL BEARING TO BECOME LOOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE BEARING TO FAIL.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A WHEEL TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR ABS SENSORS AND WHEEL BEARINGS FOR DAMAGED PARTS AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 07V402000
2007-09-05
ON CERTAIN SEDAN AND HYBRID (CNG) VEHICLES, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN MECHANISM MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-LUBRICATED WITH SILICONE GREASE. OVER TIME, SOME OF THIS EXTRA GREASE MAY DRIP ON THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE SWITCH TO FAIL.
Consequence: FAILURE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND AN INCREASED RISK THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCK IN THE REAR. IN ADDITION, A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD PREVENT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION (VEHICLES WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVERTHE SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · 06V326000
2006-08-31
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.
Consequence: THE REAR WINDSHIELD OR REAR QUARTER GLASS PANELS MAY BECOME LOOSE, RATTLE OR LIFT FROM THE WINDOW OPENING OR SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW WHILE DRIVING INCREASING THE SAFETY HAZARD TO TRAFFIC.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY REMOVING THE GLASS, PROPERLY PREPARING THE WINDOW OPENING, AND REINSTALLING THE GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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.
Consequence: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E064000
2006-07-17
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 06E023000
2006-03-13
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 05V572000
2005-12-27
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) CONTAINS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT. AS A RESULT, THE ODS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND WILL NOT SUPPRESS FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN THE WEIGHT OF AN INFANT OR SMALL CHILD IS DETECTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
Consequence: IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, A DEPLOYING FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN INFANT OR SMALL CHILD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ODS UNIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PEDAL WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAY COME LOOSE AT THE FLOOR MOUNTING.
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT INSERTED PROPERLY, THE PEDAL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE PEDAL STOPPER CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RESET THE PEDAL OR REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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