Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was informed by a driver that her brake lights were not operating as needed. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, but the brake lights were repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted, and the brake lights failed to operate as designed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Following completion of reporting Walnut Municipal Code (WMC) 3.40.010 violations at the end of my night, I walked out and found that my car was again vandalized in retaliation for filing a complaint related to the violation of Walnut Municipal Code 3.40.010. Such vandalism is intended to further disengage the workforce by causing expenses that are extreme, and such vandalism can occur as repeatedly as the nuisance of such noise violations involving such misuse of non-emergency one way communication speakers as radio devices to emit noise in the form of statements describing oneself as an enforcement or city professional, aside from some type of affiliation with a financial institution advisor, if not regulator of such related agency. In this case the vandalism involved not allowing turning off the red tail lights of my vehicle. …
Due to Honda's admitted poor paint job, paint began coming off (on roof first). Honda said they extended warranty, without notifying owners. Also say it is not safety risk. If the roof rusts, the sun roof will certainly dismount causing safety issue; if side panels rust, exhaust enters passenger compartment causing safety issue. Furthermore, headlights cloud tremendously regardless of preventative attempts. If driver can't see properly or another car cannot see the Honda, it is a safety risk. Honda America is simply a lame, perhaps once good company now trying to ride on reputation to sell poorly constructed vehicles and deny all liability for faulty work by claiming it is not a safety issue. So far, nothing has happened, and I'd like to keep it that way. …
My Honda Civic ex 2006 2 door coupe has the 3rd brake light off. As I removed the 3rd LED brake light and look at the youtube, google and forums, a lot of the Honda Civic ex 2006 has the same issue where the soldering on both sides comes undone due to vibration but poor soldering connection. I have seen all Honda civics 2006 ex with the same issue on the roads where the 3rd brake light it off. I fixed it by re-soldering, but the wire is so tight and not much room to resolder - eventually the soldering comes loose again. I believe this should be a recall and not a dealer to charge $1000 to replace the LED light as many Honda civics 2006 ex are having the same issue.
Center brake light has bad connection and does not work all the time. I had a different 2006 Civic that had the same problem and have seen others on the road. This is an LED light and the light is functional but the connection is bad. Problem occurs when braking at any speed. Ongoing problem.
I have a cracked engine block due to the service bulletin and I need Honda to repair asap among other problems
Purchased new Honda Civic ex on 5/25/06 1st failure on 7/21/2006: front and rear (tail) running lights failed with 1666 miles on the car ---- dealership replaced fuse box. Kept car for several days 2nd failure on 7/31/2006: front and rear (tail) running lights again failed ---- headlight switch replaced, car driven by dealership for almost two weeks to ensure repair successful 3rd failure on 10/22/2006: front and rear (tail) running lights again stopped working ---- Honda America wanted car back to investigate/repair lights ---- declined request and instead have asked Honda to repurchase the vehicle, invoking the lemon law buyback provision because unreliable/intermittent rear running lights failure can lead to death or serious bodily injury and two failed repair attempts are sufficient to invoke the buyback provision in our state. …
Honda Civic 2006 sedan 4 door. Approx. 40,000 miles on the car (failure occurred as soon as odometer went pass 40,000 miles). Can't shift out of park without pressing the shift lock release button. Brake lights do not work. Contacted Honda and rep there said the issue could be with the brake light switch. Rep said Honda has issued a safety recall of 07V402000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch) so take car to dealer for inspection. Took car to dealer for servicing. Mechanic rep says the vehicle is not included in the safety recall, but in the 07V402000 specifically includes 2006 Civic sedans. Main issue I have is that Honda failed to notify me about this safety recall. I am the original owner and my car is registered with Honda. …
Vehicle brought to repair shop for burning smell. It was found that front brakes were locked. Bleeders were opened which released the front brake application. Only the built up pressure in the caliper was released, hydraulic system was not drained, or bled. The brake fluid is full, there are no signs of fluid contamination. Now, vehicle has a hard brake pedal but absolutely no brake application. No brake fluid escapes when opening bleeders, with helper pressing brake pedal. I thought, even in the event of complete ABS failure, the basic hydraulic system would still be functioning. Updated 4/13/10 the problem was created by an improper adjustment of the brake position switch (brake light switch). Updated 05/13/10.
Rear running lights failed twice in one week. Fuse box with electronic chip replaced on first visit and lights failed again after two days. ABS light also came on during first visit for rear running light problem and service dept replaced the ABS modulator and bled the brakes before returning car. Service dept baffled by electrical problem and consulted with Honda engineers in los angeles who recommended replacing fuse box which is new design and has electronic chip in it,unlike earlier Honda Civic models. Dealer had driven approx. 30 miles and thought problem resolved. Severe safety issue as car has no rear lights visible at night.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2006 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Honda Civic, 2% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Civic headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-402 (switch, Sep 5, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Civic headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.