Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was in traffic and rear ended the auto in front of me. Although my car was deemed a total loss, and the front end was damaged into the motor compartment, my airbags did not deploy...updated 05/07/15
I have had two accidents in my 2006 Honda crv and the air bags have never gone off. There is obviously a problem, but Honda will not admit to it. One accident was in July of 2009, the second November of 2010 I also had to replace all 4 tires at 34,000 miles.....they were rated for 60, 000..... So far I'm not happy with my purchase my second issue is that the heat shield has rusted off, again called Honda and they say that it's a routine repair. My Honda only has 50, 000 miles on it. Nothing should be rusting on a 4 year old car....
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda CR-v. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vsa sensor illuminated and the engine suddenly began to lose power. The vehicle was stopped and the engine was shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure recurred on one other occasion. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (lia Honda enfield, 20 palomba dr, enfield, ct) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that there was a loud bang from heard from under the hood. In addition, the air conditioning unit began to emit hot air. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the compressor had exploded. The explosion destroyed the air conditioning unit, in which the full air conditioning unit and compressor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 101,979 and current mileage was 102,000.
3:30 am - as I was sleeping, I heard an explosion. As I looked out my bedroom window, I could tell something was on fire in driveway. I ran outside and CR-v was completely engulfed in flames. Called 911, fire dept arrived and put fire out. Chester county fire marshall arrived @4:30 am, nothing suspicious noted. Car and contents were a total loss. Driveway was ruined, but fortunately no other structures were involved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda CR-v. While driving varoius speeds, the headlights failed to illuminate without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The headlights were replaced, but the failure recurred every three weeks. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda CR-v. When the vehicle was started while in park, it accelerated without warning and the brake warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000.
The vsa and check engine light will frequently come on and then if I take the vehicle over 2500 rpms I will lose power and the engine will stutter. This happens in anytime the vehicle is in motion, whether it's city streets or highway
On Wednesday July 21, 2010 at approximately 1:00 pm I left to pick up my cousins family from phoenix sky harbor international airport. Driving there the air conditioning on my 2006 Honda crv was blowing cold air. Upon arriving at the airport I headed to the curbside pickup turned off the vehicle and loaded up the luggage. When I turned on the ignition to head back home I noticed the air conditioner was no longer running cold, only blowing hot air. In arizona, the summer time is extremely hot. Today, July 27, 2010 I took my Honda crv to Firestone complete auto care to have an A/C performance check and it was determined road debris (a rock) went through the condenser and created a hole. The associate contacted Toyota (purchased it certified used and bought an extended warranty) who said it was considered road damage and the repair would not be covered. …
My air conditioner compressor went out. The air conditioner was blowing warm air not cool or cold at all. I took it into Honda dealer... It will cost me $900 to replace it. I am not to use it at all because it might implode or explode... I was called by the Honda sales dept when I got home... I told him that I was on a fixed income and could not afford to buy a new car. (retired). So no matter what they said was wrong with my car , I cannot afford to buy another one. Then I looked online and saw where there was a lawsuit for the Honda crvs 2002 - 2004 because of this problem. And many other crv years had the same problem! Not just the 2002 -2004s. Why didn't Honda recall all of the air compressors... My car is only 7 yrs old. I just thought it was my bad luck at first until I went online and saw all the complaints reg the compressors! Can something be done to help us out? …
Engine complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Honda CR-V, 6% of the model year's 398 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda CR-V engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Honda CR-V, though it has 12 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 CR-V engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.