HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Accord brakes problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 43 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
BRAKE PEDAL IS LOW AND FEELS SOFT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Accord brake complaints describe a spectrum of failures that are neither minor nor isolated. Most serious are the complete brake-failure incidents: drivers report the pedal going completely unresponsive or hard-to-impossible to depress during routine braking, resulting in uncontrolled acceleration, crashes, and near-misses with pedestrians. These incidents typically follow cold starts or extended highway driving. Owners also report the opposite problem—hard pedal with excessive resistance—sometimes paired with engine revving during braking attempts.
Rotor problems are common: early warping and glazing force multiple resurfacings or replacements before 40,000 miles, yet the issue recurs, especially in warm weather. Rear brake pads wear out prematurely and unevenly, requiring replacement at 28,000–36,000 miles while front pads remain serviceable, suggesting an assembly defect preventing full pad release.
Additional complaints include contaminated brake fluid causing wheel lockup, brake pad friction material separating from backing plates, and excessively sensitive/touchy brakes that make smooth stopping difficult. Many owners report intermittent engine surge during braking (later attributed to user foot placement in one case).
Dealership responses are consistently unhelpful: technicians cannot duplicate intermittent failures, pull no diagnostic codes, find nothing physically wrong, and deny repairs. One technical service bulletin for certain VINs covers free rotor turning and pad replacement, but dealers do not volunteer the information.
Same Honda Accord brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake failure / loss of braking in emergency situations
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or fails entirely during normal driving or parking maneuvers, allowing vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably despite foot on brake. Multiple owners report inability to stop vehicle, resulting in crashes. In some cases, vehicle rolls or surges forward without driver input.
When: Throughout ownership period, reported at mileages from 3175 to 78000 miles; incidents occur after engine startup from cold soak (idle periods of hours/days) or during normal highway/parking lot operation
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of braking response when pedal depressed; Vehicle accelerates or surges forward despite brake application; Hard brake pedal that cannot be pushed down; Brake pedal suddenly loses pressure and drops after initial hardness
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to duplicate problem in most cases; no parts identified for replacement in narratives. One owner mentions VSA modulator replaced at $1600 cost. Dealership inspections repeatedly find no defects despite clear incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose; Honda customer service refuses inspection without insurance request; manufacturer mediation determines no offers will be made in at least one case; one owner proceeded to BBB AUTO LINE arbitration
Hard brake pedal / excessive pedal resistance
Brake pedal becomes abnormally difficult to depress, requiring excessive force to stop vehicle. Typically occurs after highway driving and deceleration sequences or after cold starts. Pedal resistance sometimes accompanies engine revving during braking.
When: After highway driving with exit ramps and re-acceleration, or after cold engine start; reported at 35000 to 49000 miles in documented cases
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely resistant brake pedal requiring excessive hard pressure; Inability to push pedal down despite effort; Engine continues revving during braking attempts; Brake pedal pressure returns to normal after putting car in Park/Drive cycle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspection and systems test showed no problems. Problem resolved temporarily by transmission shift cycle but recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership hypothesized computer error but systems tested fine; no repair performed
Brake rotors warped, glazed, or excessively worn
Front and rear rotors warp, glaze, or show excessive wear very early in vehicle life, sometimes on brand-new vehicles. Multiple resurface or replacement attempts fail to prevent recurrence. Warping appears heat-related (occurs more in warm weather).
When: Rotors begin showing issues as early as first week of ownership; premature wear documented at 6800, 13000, 27000, and 38000 miles; problem resurfaces despite multiple dealer resurfacing procedures
Symptoms owners cite: Thumping sound and vibration during hard braking; Brake shudder or judder when stopping; Vibration in braking system; Roaring and vibration going down steep inclines; Wobble in wheel and car when brakes applied
Repairs/costs cited: Front rotors resurfaced in Feb. 2008 at ~27000 miles, again in Aug./Sep. 2008 at ~38000 miles with front pads replaced. Rear rotors sanded/resurfaced at 13000 miles. Multiple resurface attempts (rotors turned/resurfaced 3+ times per owner before replacement considered). One owner reports dealer refused to replace new warped rotors, instead resurfaced under warranty policy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda policy allows one rotor resurface under warranty; refuses replacement of defective new rotors. Technical Service Bulletin exists for VINs starting 1HG or 3HG covering brake pad replacement and rotor turning at no charge, but information not given out unless owner obtains copy
Premature rear brake pad wear
Rear brake pads wear out much faster than front pads, requiring replacement at low mileage. Uneven wear on rear pads indicates assembly defect with interior pads not releasing completely after braking. Rear pads wear out 2-3 times while front remains good.
When: First rear replacement at 28000-36000 miles; subsequent replacements needed every 12000-15000 miles thereafter; front pads remain serviceable at 50000+ miles while rear replaced multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Rear pads wear out prematurely compared to front; Uneven pad wear: exterior pads have 50% life, interior pads have 0% life; Interior rear pads not releasing completely after braking; Front and rear brake wear imbalance
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads replaced at 28431, 36000, and 48000 miles in various owner reports. One owner replaced rear pads twice by 50000 miles while front still original. Cost cited as $199 for one replacement with rotor machining.
Brake fluid contamination
Brake fluid becomes discolored and contaminated, leading to loss of braking ability and wheel lockup. Dealership flushes lines but contamination recurs within short distances.
When: Contamination discovered at 38000 miles after right front wheel lockup; recurs within 150 miles of flush and again within 323 miles of second flush
Symptoms owners cite: Right front wheel locked up (3 separate occasions in one incident); Contaminated/discolored brake fluid; Loss of normal braking after long highway driving; Juddering when exiting interstate
Repairs/costs cited: Brake lines flushed on Dec. 29, 2008, then again on Jan. 3, 2009; rear rotors turned; dealership checked everything and road tested 323 miles with no problems reported, but issue recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated brakes in working order and could not duplicate problem
Brake pad friction material separation
AC Delco front brake pads show separation of friction material from metal backing plate due to corrosion/rust. Shear failure at attachment points with visible cracks and missing friction material.
When: Discovered during routine inspection; may have contributed to minor accident
Symptoms owners cite: Friction material completely separated from backing plate on passenger outboard pad; Vertical crack approximately 1 inch long with 4-5mm missing friction material; Corrosion/rust between friction material and backing plate; Diminished braking capacity and reduced responsiveness
Repairs/costs cited: Pad replaced during caliper cleaning and inspection
Excessive brake sensitivity / touchy pedal
Brake response is extremely sensitive and difficult to modulate smoothly. Even light pedal pressure at low speeds causes sudden, abrupt stops that feel dangerous to occupants. Multiple drivers comment on hazardous touchy brakes.
When: Present from ownership start; ongoing throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Very touchy/sensitive brake response; Braking at slow speeds feels like occupants may hit windshield despite seatbelts; Unable to brake smoothly; Abrupt stops with sudden deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Honda service technicians acknowledge sensitivity but state 'that is just the way they are' and owners must 'get used to it'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service acknowledged design but refused to address issue
Engine surge / unintended acceleration during braking
Engine RPM increases and vehicle surges forward when brake pressure applied, creating dangerous condition where accelerator and brake conflict. Typically intermittent. One case later determined to be user-related (foot contact with accelerator pedal when brake depressed below accelerator level).
When: Intermittent occurrences reported 5-6 times since purchase; noted after highway driving and during normal braking situations at various speeds (30 mph, 5 mph approach to stop)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs at accelerated rate while braking; Vehicle lurches forward during brake application; Brake and accelerator seem to work against each other; Engine continues revving abnormally while foot on brake
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed diagnostic but produced no failure codes; problem persisted despite testing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case later attributed to user error (foot contacting accelerator when brake pedal descended below accelerator level); manufacturer notification mentioned but no formal response documented
ABS and stability control warning lights illuminate without cause
Anti-lock brake system indicator, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) system indicator, parking brake, and brake system malfunction lights come on intermittently for no apparent reason. Lights go out only after turning car off and back on.
When: Occurred 3-4 times in owner's experience
Symptoms owners cite: ABS indicator light comes on; VSA activation and VSA system indicator lights come on; Parking brake indicator light comes on; Brake system malfunction light comes on; Multiple lights come on simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to pull any relevant codes from computer; no physical problems found; dealership searched Honda Service Tech website and found nothing; regional Honda service rep unable to provide assistance beyond dealer capabilities
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No resolution offered
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
We experienced a problem in stopping at a red light on our trip back from an out of town trip last weekend. As a result of this experience my wife is now afraid to drive this car. After a few hours of highway driving, and decelerating through an exit ramp, then re-accelerating and attempting to stop at a stop light we experienced and an extremely resistant brake pedal requiring extremely hard…
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 32 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 12,000 and 44,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 44,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.