My vehicle is experiencing the same issues as described in recall #11v395000, however my VIN is not listed as being affected by that recall. I contact Honda usa directly, opened a case #10120384, and was told that there was no extended warranty and nothing could be done. The vehicle is making a noise while driving and suddenly loses all power, this has only happened so far while the vehicle is in…
2006 Honda Accord powertrain problems
severe 44 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 44 powertrain complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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 44 powertrain 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2006 Accords have serious and documented transmission problems affecting both manuals and automatics—including gearbox failure, CV axle breaks, and control module failures—often starting under 100,000 miles. Unless you can verify complete transmission service history and have the vehicle pre-purchase inspected by an independent transmission specialist, this model's powertrain risk is too high.
The 2006 Accord powertrain complaints center on transmission failures and CV axle breaks across both manual and automatic models. Manual transmission users report grinding, difficulty shifting into third gear, and transmission popping out of gear—sometimes three to four times a month—creating dangerous merging and acceleration situations. Honda issued Service Bulletin 08-020 addressing faulty third-gear synchronizers, but dealers have refused repairs without immediate failure reproduction. Automatic transmission owners describe sudden loss of power, inability to shift, hard or abrupt shifting, jerking and shuddering during acceleration (especially around 35 mph at 1500–2000 rpm), transmission slip on highways, and complete failure ranging from 53,000 to 205,000 miles. Repair costs cited run $3,932 to $4,200 for full transmission replacement. Several complaints reference recall 11V395000 for automatic transmission bearing failure, though many affected VINs were excluded from coverage. Front driver-side CV axles are breaking at low speeds with no warning—owners report loud pops or thuds, sudden loss of power, and backward rolling. One mechanic noted moisture accumulation under the rubber axle covering causes corrosion; newer axles lack this design flaw. A few complaints mention transmission control module updates and torque converter replacement as dealer interventions. Some owners cite PCM failures causing stalling. Two complaints involve collision damage and unrelated frame issues but are included in this dataset.
Same Honda Accord powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Manual transmission third-gear synchronizer failure
Third gear grinds, pops out of gear, or is hard to shift into. Occurs intermittently, sometimes three to four times monthly, more frequent in cold weather. Grinding noise heard when shifting into third gear.
When: Varies; one owner reported 3 years of issues; another at 15K–19K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission pops out of third gear; Grinding noise when shifting into third gear; Difficulty engaging third gear; Intermittent failure—can go over a week without occurring; Delayed acceleration due to forced manual shifts
Repairs/costs cited: Honda Service Bulletin 08-020 covers this defect; replacement of third-gear synchronizer or shift sleeve required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 08-020; dealers refuse repairs unless failure can be reproduced during test drive
Automatic transmission loss of power / failure to shift
Transmission suddenly loses power, will not shift into appropriate gear, or slips out of gear during acceleration and highway driving. Engine revs but vehicle does not move or moves slowly (10–15 mph). Can occur intermittently or cause complete transmission failure.
When: Various mileages: 25,700; 53,000; 97,000; 113,000; 135,000; 140,000; 205,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine races but transmission does not engage; Vehicle unable to accelerate or maintain speed; Transmission slips or falls out of gear; Engine light (Check Engine) illuminates; D (Drive) light blinks on dashboard; Delayed or no response to accelerator pedal; Inability to shift out of neutral; Vehicle rolls backward when in Park or Drive
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light triggered, D light blinking
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement quoted at $3,932–$4,200; transmission fluid service did not resolve recurring problems; one case required transmission replacement at 53,000 miles (just over warranty)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V395000 (automatic transmission bearing failure) issued for some VINs; many owners' VINs excluded; Honda initially denied coverage; transmission replaced free in one case after owner complained directly
Automatic transmission shuddering and jerking
Transmission shudders during slow to moderate acceleration, typically when RPMs reach 1500–2000 and speed approaches 35 mph. Shuddering does not occur during hard acceleration. Vehicle jerks as if trying to shift gears. Humming sound sometimes heard during acceleration.
When: At 47,000 miles (first incident); recurred at 77,000 miles after torque converter replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shudders during slow to moderate acceleration; Jerking sensation when attempting to shift gears; Rough downshift when braking; Delayed downshift; Humming noise during acceleration; No warning lights or service codes
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replaced under warranty; repair lasted only 30,000 miles before shuddering resumed; replacement torque converter covered by 1-year warranty only, powertrain warranty expired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Torque converter replaced under powertrain warranty; Honda had prior class action lawsuit for same issue but closed before this vehicle was built
Automatic transmission erratic or hard shifting
Transmission shifts erratically or abruptly, skips gears, or fails to downshift properly. Shift lever may not engage or immediately disengages independently. Vehicle may refuse to shift into third gear or higher gears.
When: Varies: 50,000; 85,000–130,000; 110,000; 165,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Erratic shifting behavior; Transmission skips gears; Engine revs very high; Shift lever will not engage or disengages on its own; Hard or abrupt shifting; Inability to shift into third gear or Drive; Knocking noise from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanics unable to diagnose cause in some cases; one owner reported transmission completely failed requiring full replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some VINs excluded from recall 11V395000; Honda provided no assistance to owners not covered by recall
Front driver-side CV axle / driveshaft fracture
Front left CV axle or driveshaft suddenly breaks, typically at low speeds (idle to 5 mph) with no warning. Owner reports loud pop or thud, metallic grinding noise, and sudden loss of power. Vehicle may roll backward on incline. Mechanic notes rubber covering over axle allows water and moisture accumulation, causing corrosion.
When: At 158,000 miles (first incident); at 177,694 miles (second incident); third incident at 171,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or thud when attempting to move forward; Metallic grinding noise; Sudden loss of power / vehicle will not move; Vehicle rolls backward on slight incline; Clutch appears to fail but is actually broken axle
Repairs/costs cited: CV axle replaced; one mechanic noted new axle does not have same rubber covering as original, suggesting design flaw; owner at 315,000 miles concerned about replacement axle breaking again
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mechanic reported incident to Honda; Honda stated no injuries/fatalities occurred so not obligated to report; no recalls found; mechanic aware of other older Honda vehicles with same failure
Transmission stalling and check engine light
Vehicle stalls while driving at various speeds (15–40 mph). Check Engine light illuminates. Abnormal noise from engine or transmission compartment sometimes heard. Owner reports transmission control module update or PCM replacement performed.
When: 200,000 miles (one case); 35 mph (another case); 280,000 miles (one case with no restart)
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected stalling while driving; Check Engine light illuminates; Abnormal metallic or grinding noise from engine compartment; Vehicle will not restart after stalling; Engine compartment noise heard upon stalling
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module updated at dealership; one case towed but not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission control module update applied; no other manufacturer response documented
Transmission control module (PCM) failure causing loss of power
Vehicle loses acceleration and all power while driving. Engine light comes on, D (Drive) light blinks. One complaint references recall 11V395000 but owner's VIN excluded. Another notes PCM must be replaced.
When: Various mileages: one at normal highway speeds, another at unknown speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration; Check Engine light and D light illuminate simultaneously; Vehicle speed drops to 10 mph or unable to move; Loss of power while in traffic
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light, D light blinking
Repairs/costs cited: One complaint states PCM must be replaced; diagnosis only (not repaired in all cases)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V395000 referenced but VINs excluded; Honda advised owner vehicle not covered and no assistance available
Transmission bearing failure (recall 11V395000)
Automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing fails, causing abnormal noise in secondary gear, engine stalling, jerking, sluggish acceleration, and in one case vehicle rolling in Park without engaging parking brake. One owner experienced sluggish acceleration after recall repair was performed.
When: Bearing failure apparent at various mileages; one owner complained of issues after secondary shaft bearing recall was completed
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise in transmission secondary gear; Engine stalls intermittently as if short circuit in electrical/transmission; Vehicle rolls when shifted into Park (without parking brake); Transmission jerks and feels like dragging; Sluggish acceleration after recall repair; Car stays in one gear too long; Humming sound when accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Secondary shaft bearing recall completed; post-repair symptoms developed in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V395000 issued August 8, 2011 for automatic transmission bearing failure; not all affected VINs included in recall
Torque converter malfunction
Torque converter fails or becomes stuck, causing transmission to slip, lose power, or inability to shift. One transmission shop diagnosed failure; another noted output speed sensor and torque converter clutch circuit stuck off.
When: At 15,000–20,000 miles (one case); at unknown mileage (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips during acceleration; Engine races but vehicle will not move; Loss of forward power; Vehicle will not drive forward or backward; Check Engine light
Codes mentioned: Output speed sensor fault, Torque converter clutch circuit stuck off
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replaced; repair lasted only 30,000 miles before problems recurred; estimated cost ~$4,000 for full transmission
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Replaced under powertrain warranty initially; 1-year warranty on replacement; no extended coverage
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal metal-on-metal grinding sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda accord. The contact stated that while downshifting, the gears shifted violently and the vehicle lunged forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they advised the contact that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was…
I bought my 2006 accord v6 auto not quite 4 years ago as a 2 year old, off lease beautiful, gently used model with 38,000 miles. Around 85,000 miles I noted the transmission started to shift abruptly/hard. I had a transmission fluid service completed and this seemed to solve the problem. The abrupt shifts started again around 128,000 miles. Now at 130,000 miles, the transmission completely…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2006 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 44 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 163,000 miles, with the median around 110,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 163,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.