Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Car lost power while trying to make a left turn across traffic. IMA battery charge dropped and no assist was delivered. Oncoming car was able to stop in time, but barely. This has now happened on a number of occasions. Car lost power while climbing a hill in a residential neighborhood (15 MPH) and barely made it to the top. Car lost power while climbing a short steep driveway and could not ascend; had to roll backwards and "force charge" the IMA battery in low gear for 10 minutes, after which I was able to climb the driveway easily. Decided to replace the IMA battery due to obvious malfunction although no codes were being thrown. Problem improved significantly but once again experienced lack of power on steep, low-speed hills and in our driveway. …
Hello! A very well-known issue with the 06-09 Honda Civic is a tendency for the engine blocks to crack. Frequenting online forums and websites, it seems a wide range of people are affected from less than 1,000 miles to up to 200,000 miles. That being said, it seems this car is a literal time bomb. There have been incidents of people driving on the highway only to rapidly lose power to all systems, including the brakes and power steering. Needless to say, this is a profound safety hazard, not only to the driver, but other drivers as well! That being said, Honda admitted that the tendency for blocks to crack was due a faulty casting process. They had issues an initial 8 year warranty and increased that to 10 years. As of late, many current owners have still had their blocks cracked. Only this time, Honda is refusing to fix their faulty product. …
We have a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid that we would like to report a defect on. When the vehicle is shifted to either drive or reverse, the vehicle would suddenly lurch even though the foot is on the brake pedal. A few times where my wife was driving the vehicle she didn't exert enough force on the brake pedal and caused for the vehicle to move even though it was not intended. Luckily the only incident have been minor with regards to the bumper hitting the wall or another vehicle. We believe this issue needs to be fix especially in the event that the vehicle is parked in a steep slope that will cause the vehicle to accelerate and potentially cause a major accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid. The contact was attempting to accelerate from a traffic stop but the vehicle was unresponsive. There was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they were aware of the failure but there was no repair available. The technician burnished the start clutch and replaced the transmission fluid. The contact continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
A known defect - the engine block on our 2006 Honda Civic cracked while my son was driving on a highway. We've owned the car for less than 2 years and were never advised that the Civic engine block was prone to this - or we would have not purchased the car. Even though Honda "extended" the warranty for this known defect, we are out of the warranty coverage period - thus left to foot the expense of replacing the engine on our own. My son's safety was at risk when this happened. This should be a recall not a warranty extension. Shame on Honda.
This Civic has a defect on rear control arms causing tires to wear uneven and rapidly and making a horrible noise coming from the back this is unsafe issue I replace the rear shock absorbers, the whell hubs and ofcourse the tires and the problem still there until control arm be replaced for an adjustable one for proper aligment ,,, Honda motor company is not paying for anything , I think costumers don't have pay for Honda mistakes that's not fair.
Car overheated and cracked engine block on drive to work through town. It was a sudden, overheat and the car stalled. The car had been serviced by Honda ~2 months earlier. Car had been regularly maintained by Honda, following suggested service schedule. Honda knew about the problem but refused to replace the engine block as I purchased car new in 2006. Car only had 103,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic. While attempting to enter the vehicle, the doors on the driver's side would not unlock after the key was inserted. In addition, the alarm system did not work and the driver was unable to switch the gear shifter to the park position. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle rubbed against a curb and the axle and the steering wheel column fractured while traveling 3 MPH. The contact expressed the vehicle was too low to the ground. The contact stated if the vehicle was higher to the ground, the steering and wheel axle would not have fractured.
Transmission is failing it is flaring. RPM rises to 6-7K RPM and it still around 20-30 MPH. And it slowing increasing speed. This is dangerous, when I am trying to merge in traffic I don't have the acceleration I merge on highway or just getting on a street.
Transmission complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Honda Civic, 5% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Civic transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Honda Civic, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Civic transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.