2006 Honda Civic Review: A Bad Car With Problems And Short Lifespan

A shorter life expectancy of only 200,000 miles caused by engine problems makes 2006 a bad year. At $4,388 to $8,851, the Civic is not worth the money.

2006 Honda Civic: Quick Overview

• The 2006 Honda Civic’s reliability is poor with frequent engine problems. Avoid the 2006-2009 Civics since there are engine improvements on the 2010 model.
• Two 4-cylinder engines are available. The regular engine is efficient, and the one in the Si model has great power.
• Great fuel economy for a compact car at 30 MPG.
• Safety ratings are excellent, with a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests and earning a Top Safety Pick Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• Consumer Reports found the 2006 Civic to be affordable, but owner satisfaction scores are below average.
• We don’t recommend the 2006 Civic, which ranks 5^th out of 22 compact cars based on owner reviews. Despite the good reviews, serious mechanical issues make it a year to avoid.

What Problems Does the 2006 Honda Civic Have?

There are more problems found in the 2006 Honda Civic than other compact cars including the Corolla and Elantra. The 2006 model has over 6 times the number of complaints compared to the older 2005 model, making it a bad year.

Engine problems, leading to a cracked block, happen at around 100,000 miles. Honda issued an 8-year extended warranty on the blocks to replace failures. If your car is out of warranty then a new engine costs about $3,000.

Clear coat and paint problems are another frequent complaint on cars with more than 80,000 miles. The clear coat fails when the car is exposed to a lot of sunlight and not properly maintained. Repainting the affected panels fixes the problem, but costs about $800 per panel.

Failing sun visors is another common problem near 55,000 miles. There’s a class action suit to replace visors on affected vehicles. If your car is not covered by the suit then a replacement is about $150.

There are 15 recalls on the 2006 Civic, which is way more than other compact cars. Recalls include pedals, occupant system, reflectors, manual, wheel speed sensor, steering switch, and air bags. Most serious are the wheel speed sensors, which can cause the wheel to fall off in a failure.

How Much is the 2006 Honda Civic Worth?

Blue book prices are average for a compact car, ranging from $4,388 to $8,851, which is cheaper than the Mazda3, and more expensive than a Focus. When new, the price range was $14,560 to $22,150. Depreciation is average, losing about 12% per year.

What Are the Models & Specs?

DX is the entry-level model with:

• 15-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Manual Driver’s Seat

LX adds features including:

• 16-Inch Steel Wheels
• Air Conditioning
• Keyless Entry
• Cruise Control

EX is a good step up adding:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Sunroof
• Folding Rear Seats

Si is the sport-oriented model with:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Larger 4-Cylinder Engine
• Sport Suspension
• Rear Spoiler

How Long Will the 2006 Honda Civic Last?

A 2006 Honda Civic will last about 200,000 miles with regular maintenance, which is almost 100,000 miles shorter than the Corolla and Mazda3. Repair Pal estimates regular annual maintenance costs are average at $310 per year.

As a Civic ages and reaches 125,000 miles, there are some components owners should be prepared to replace. They include starters for around $600, battery cables costing $80, and timing belt tensioners which cost about $400.

What Technology & Safety Features Are Included?

Technology is very basic in the 2006 Honda Civic compared to other compact cars, and the base DX model does not even include a stereo.

• Standard features found on the LX model include a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo system.
• Optional upgrades found on the EX model include a 6-speaker stereo system, AUX input, satellite radio, and a 7-inch infotainment screen.
• For safety, the car comes standard with airbags, anti-lock brakes, and active head restraints. The EX and Si models have 4-wheel disc brakes.

What Engine Options are Available?

Performance is average on the 2006 Civic compared to other compact cars. The larger engine in the Si is quick, taking the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds.

• The base 1.8L 4-cylinder engine offers a decent amount of power for a small car with 140 horsepower.
• There’s a 2.0L 4-cylinder found in the Si model with 197 horsepower, which is great for the size.

What Color Options are Available?

How Big is the Civic?

The 2006 Honda Civic is a compact car similar in size to the Sentra and Jetta and is available as both a coupe and sedan. There’s plenty of legroom in the back seats of the sedan to comfortably fit adults. Trunk space is good, with 12 cubic feet of room which will easily fit 3 suitcases.

How Does the 2006 Honda Civic Compare to Other Cars?

One of the highest-rated competitors is the more expensive Toyota Corolla. The Corolla has outstanding reliability, but the Civic is more fun to drive. In most years the competition is very close, but engine problems in the 2006 Civic make the Corolla a better choice.

A more affordable rival is the Volkswagen Jetta. The Jetta offers more luxury, where the Civic stands out is with better technology. Overall, both cars are bad choices since they don’t last as long as some competitors.

Final Verdict: Is the 2006 Honda Civic a Good Car?

No, the 2006 Honda Civic is not a good car. We base our assessment on 432 verified owner reviews giving the car an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 with users reporting mechanical issues.

Downsides include serious engine problems, and more road noise than in other compact cars. Where the Civic stands out is with good safety scores and more powerful engines.

Overall, 2006 is a bad year for the Civic, with serious improvements showing up for the 2010 model costing about $1,500 more.