CRUISE CONTROL CONCELS WITH HEADLIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Accord cruise control problems
critical 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
6crashes
4injuries
3fatalities
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 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 cruise control 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where the engine revs or lunges forward without foot input on the throttle, often when stopped at lights or during low-speed maneuvers. In the most serious incidents, brake pedal pressure fails entirely—the car accelerates harder when the owner presses the brake, forcing them to rely on emergency brakes or crash into objects to stop. Engine revs have reached 5500 RPM at traffic stops. One owner replaced brake rotors twice in four months with persistent pulsation at speeds above 45 MPH; another required brake replacement every 20,000 miles starting at 99,000 miles. The accelerator pedal position sensor, throttle actuator control, and throttle pedal are repeatedly implicated. Dealers often cannot duplicate the problem or locate fault codes, though one shop identified five or more failing sensors and quoted $1,300+ for repair without guaranteeing a fix. One owner references a Honda campaign 19E068 for the same symptoms, but was denied coverage. Check Engine lights illuminate intermittently during these events.
Same Honda Accord cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration with brake override failure
Engine accelerates without driver input or continues accelerating when brake pedal is depressed. Brake pedal pressure does not stop the vehicle; owners report the car surging forward uncontrollably. In severe incidents, emergency brake or physical collision required to stop the vehicle.
When: At various mileages (23k to 145k); triggered by parking maneuvers, low-speed approaches, highway exits, or stops at traffic lights; can occur within 3–4 minutes of engine start or after extended driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs or surges without driver input; Continued acceleration despite brake pedal pressure; Engine revs to 5500 RPM at stops; Uncontrolled forward motion forcing collision avoidance or crashes; Check Engine light intermittent illumination; Loud humming noise on acceleration from complete stop
Codes mentioned: Throttle Actuator Control System idle position defective, Throttle pedal failure, Accelerator pedal position sensor fault, 5 or more sensors failing including throttle
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle pedal replacement recommended; throttle actuator control system computer reset attempted; estimated repair cost at least $1,300 and may not resolve issue; multiple owners report dealer unable to duplicate problem or identify fault codes despite repeated incidents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 19E068 referenced by one owner but Honda refused repair despite matching symptoms; other owners report dismissal of complaints or lack of manufacturer notification
Brake system malfunction with pulsation and degradation
Brakes lose stopping power or function inconsistently. One owner reports replacing front brake rotors twice in four months with persistent pulsating sensation. Another owner required brake replacement every 20,000 miles starting at 99,000 miles.
When: Starting at 99k miles (one case); at 65.5k miles (pulsation case); recurrent throughout vehicle use
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal does not slow or stop vehicle effectively; Continuous pulsating brake sensation during stops above 45 MPH; Premature brake rotor wear
Repairs/costs cited: Front brake rotors replaced twice in 4 months without resolving pulsation; brakes replaced every 20,000 miles; owners report dealership dismissal of pulsation complaint as non-existent
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda dismissed brake complaints in December 2011; dealership stated issue was unsafe to drive and manufacturer defect
Cruise control lunge on incline
When cruise control is activated on an uphill grade, the vehicle unexpectedly lunges forward with excessive acceleration that dealer attempts could not resolve.
When: At 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected forward lunge while cruise control active; Excessive acceleration on uphill driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted multiple repairs without success; vehicle not further repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
2006 Honda accord suddenly accelerated straight into bushes. She hit the brake hard but it still continued to accelerate going through the bushes, all the while as she had her foot on the brake. * bf the consumer also hit another vehicle. *jb
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2006 Honda Accord?
It's a serious issue. 16 complaints have been filed, including 6 reports involving a crash and 3 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 23,000 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 45,073. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,000; a quarter make it past 109,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.