Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
critical 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Of the 30 cruise control complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
Among the 17 model years of Honda Civic in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If the accelerator pedal is not inserted properly, the pedal can come loose from the pedal stopper causing the throttle to become stuck increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners describe two distinct problem patterns in the 2006 Honda Civic's throttle and cruise-control systems. The first is sudden, unintended acceleration—sometimes at full throttle—occurring at idle, during low-speed driving, while braking, or when shifting between gears. In several cases owners held the brake firmly and the vehicle still lunged forward; in others, turning the steering wheel triggered RPM jumps from idle (~650 RPM) to 1000+ RPM, causing the car to creep or lurch ahead. One crash resulted in fatality; multiple others caused property damage. Dealers repeatedly stated they could not replicate or diagnose the problem despite owners returning the vehicle within hours of incidents.
The second pattern involves throttle response and cruise-control behavior: the engine continues accelerating for 1 second after the driver releases the accelerator pedal (described as "rev holding" on SI models), complicating deceleration and braking control. Cruise control set on hills holds high RPM even after cresting, wasting fuel unless the driver downshifts or manually slows below 40 MPH. One owner reported the cruise-control decrease button required holding for several seconds to respond. Owners note the vehicle has a "drive-by-wire" system and that dealers claim certain behaviors are "designed" that way. One complaint mentions serpentine-belt tensioner failure after 61,000 miles; another reports a cracked engine block with rapid oil loss.
Same Honda Civic cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Vehicle accelerates to full throttle without driver input, typically after cold start or during low-speed maneuvering. Occurs even with driver's foot off accelerator pedal and while braking. In one case, vehicle accelerated from idle to ~40 MPH while parked; in another, at 5 MPH in traffic the vehicle required hard braking to stop; a third resulted in a fatal single-vehicle crash.
When: 9,500–80,000 miles; within 10 miles of cold start in one case; during backing, shifting, or braking in others
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly reaches full throttle or high RPM without driver input; Vehicle lunges or accelerates forward despite foot on brake; Occurs while parked in Park, during low-speed maneuvers, or during traffic braking; In some cases, brake and steering wheel inputs insufficient to stop vehicle; Engine revving audible; RPM monitor shows rapid acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose in all reported cases despite test-driving and extended inspections. No service bulletins available according to dealer records. Vehicle was not repaired in at least one instance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda referenced recall 05V509000 (accelerator pedal) but stated some vehicles did not qualify. Dealers claimed behavior was 'designed that way' or stated no failure found. Honda told some owners they could not help after warranty expired. One dealer suggested turning the key off rather than addressing the defect.
Idle RPM jumps from ~650 to ~1000 when steering wheel is slightly turned, causing vehicle to lurch forward. Requires constant brake pressure to prevent forward creep. According to one dealer, this condition occurs on other 2006 Civics and Honda factory tech claims it is designed behavior.
When: Early ownership (new vehicle complaint reported); affects normal parking and low-speed maneuvering
Symptoms owners cite: RPM spikes from idle when steering wheel is turned; Vehicle lurches or creeps forward despite brake pressure; Requires driver to keep foot firmly on brake at all times while stationary with wheels turned; Occurs regardless of whether driver foot is on accelerator
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda factory tech claimed this is designed behavior; dealer stated other 2006 Civics have the same condition.
Engine continues revving for approximately 1 second after driver releases accelerator pedal. Described on SI models as programmed 'rev holding.' Makes smooth deceleration impossible and can cause unexpected oversteer, particularly problematic when turning. Complicates anticipation of braking and control in traffic.
When: Throughout vehicle life; noted on 2006 Civic SI models and non-SI variants
Symptoms owners cite: Engine continues revving ~1 second after releasing accelerator; Sudden, abrupt deceleration when it does occur; Unpredictable deceleration onset can cause oversteer in turns; Vehicle does not coast smoothly; driver must anticipate and use brakes sooner; Non-linear throttle response compromises control
Cruise control set on hills increases RPM to climb but does not return to normal range (2000–3000 RPM) after cresting. RPM remains elevated indefinitely, wasting fuel and wearing engine and drivetrain. In one hybrid, cruise-control decrease button required holding for several seconds to respond rather than reacting to single presses.
When: Throughout vehicle life; first reported on long road trip at unspecified mileage; hybrid issue noted at 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: RPM stays elevated (above 3000) after cresting hill despite cruise control set; Continues indefinitely until driver slows below 40 MPH or shifts to Sport mode and back; Excessive fuel consumption; On hybrid, cruise-control speed-decrease button unresponsive to single presses; requires holding for seconds; No error codes triggered according to dealer diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated no error codes are triggered. Behavior persists despite multiple dealer visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda maintains no error codes are present and implied no defect. Warranty expired before some complaints were pursued. Dealer stated unable to help after warranty end.
Engine RPM increases while driver applies brakes, particularly during low-speed stops. RPM jumps from idle to 1000–1500. Occurs on two separate occasions for one owner, both times at or near complete stop. Engine acceleration opposes brake effort.
When: During low-speed stops at traffic lights, parking lots, and toll gates; mileage at failure varied (9,500–105,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: RPM suddenly increases to 1500 or higher while braking; Engine acceleration felt as 'forward thrust' while foot is on brake; RPM increases when brake pressure is reduced slightly; Brake pedal requires increased force to maintain stop; Engine audibly revving during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate. One dealer kept vehicle for 2 days for extended evaluation but still found no cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda told owner they were unaware of such problems and advised dealer visit. Dealer and owner agreed replication unlikely.
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck, trapping throttle open. In one case, vehicle accelerated at high RPM during a left-turn maneuver when owner intended normal acceleration. In another, accelerator stuck while parking, causing collision. Serpentine-belt tensioner bolt broke in at least one related incident (though causation unclear), locking up water pump and damaging belts.
When: Various mileages including early ownership; one tensioner failure at 61,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck or does not respond to normal pressure; Vehicle accelerates at high RPM uncontrollably; During low-speed parking or turning; Related incident: serpentine-belt tensioner bolt broke, water pump locked, belts damaged
Repairs/costs cited: Auto shop unable to duplicate stuck-pedal problem. Serpentine-belt components required replacement due to tensioner failure; one estimate implied substantial repair costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 05V509000 existed but owner did not receive recall letter before accident. Honda told one owner certain vehicles were excluded from recall despite similar problems.
Cruise-control switch will not stay engaged when depressed; requires repeated attempts to engage. Described as a 'bad cruise control switch' by owner.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise-control button does not remain engaged when pressed; Switch requires multiple presses to hold; Reported on online forums by other owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated no recalls exist for this issue.
Vehicle suddenly loses all engine power and steering assist while on highway exit ramp. Later determined to be caused by serpentine-belt tensioner bolt failure and subsequent water-pump lockup. Owner believes this was a known issue with specific VINs subject to a rerouted drive-belt recall that was not applied to her vehicle.
When: 61,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; No power steering; Vehicle coasted to shoulder; Determined to be serpentine-belt tensioner bolt failure causing water pump to lock up
Repairs/costs cited: Tensioner bolt replacement, water pump, and serpentine belt repairs required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states certain VINs had a longer, rerouted drive-belt recall applied, but hers was not included despite apparent identical risk. No recall letter sent.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
I stopped at a crosswalk to let individuals cross and while I was stopped the engine was revving and it felt like I really needed to push down hard on the brake to keep the car from going forward.. A little scary. *nm
It's a serious issue. 30 complaints have been filed, including 7 reports involving a crash and 3 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 8,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.