"SERVICE BULLETIN - THE MIL COMES ON WITH ONE OF THESE DTCS: P2646/P2651 (ROCKER ARM OIL PRESSURE SWITCH CIRCUIT LOW VOLTAGE). P2647/P2652 (ROCKER ARM OIL PRESSURE SWITCH CIRCUIT HIGH VOLTAGE). NOTE: THE SYMPTOM MAY BE INTERMITTENT AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT AFTER CLEARING THE DTC. THE ROCKER ARM OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY FAIL INTERMITTENTLY."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda CR-V engine problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
HONDA: DTC P2646/P2651 OR P2647/2652 MAY BE SET. THE ROCKER ARM OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO INCLUDED MODEL CIVIC SI MODEL YEAR 2002-2005.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗HONDA: MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON WITH TROUBLE CODE STORED. SOFTWARE CONCERN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: THE MIL IS ON WITH A STORED TROUBLE CODE. THE AIR/FUEL SENSOR IS DAMAGED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Thirteen owners reported serious engine and related powertrain issues in 2006 CR-Vs. Most common: AC compressor failure, with multiple owners citing lockup or explosion between 44,000 and 101,000 miles, repair bills ranging $900 to $3,000. One owner reported two separate occasions of compressor failure in vehicles of the same model year at identical mileage, suggesting a pattern issue.
Engine-related failures include one very early incident at 4,400 miles where the vehicle suddenly lost power and stopped—Honda replaced the engine but never explained the root cause. Owners also reported VSA system failures with sudden engine shutdown and restart, one occurring at 45,000 miles with an initial repair quote of $2,300 (later negotiated down to $725).
Drivability complaints include accelerator pedal sticking twice in one vehicle—failing to respond after release, forcing the driver to jam the pedal to reset throttle. Engine surging with excessive RPM increase and sudden power loss at 92,000 miles couldn't be replicated for diagnosis. One water pump failure at unspecified mileage caused engine overheating and near-accident; the owner had warned the shop about engine noise beforehand. An O2 sensor failed at just 24,000 miles. Owners questioned why components wore out prematurely on a relatively new vehicle.
Same Honda CR-V engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Complete engine seizure / catastrophic failure
Engine completely broken down with no prior warning; occurred at very low mileage on a new vehicle. Owner reported sudden loss of power while driving at modest speed, followed by abrupt halt within 5-10 seconds. Dealer confirmed engine replacement needed but did not identify root cause.
When: 4,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: sudden loss of power while driving; abrupt engine shut-off; inability to shift to neutral initially
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required (cost not specified)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda offered new engine and 7-year extended warranty rather than vehicle replacement
Air conditioning compressor failure
AC compressor failure is the most common reported issue across narratives, occurring at varying mileages. Owners report compressor lockup, explosion, and loss of cooling capacity. One owner reported a loud bang from under the hood preceding compressor explosion. Road debris damage to condenser also reported. Costs range from $900 to $3,000 depending on secondary damage.
When: 44,300-101,979 miles; also reported at 90,000 miles on two vehicles of same model year
Symptoms owners cite: AC blowing warm or hot air instead of cold; loud bang from engine bay; compressor locking up
Repairs/costs cited: Full AC unit and compressor replacement $900-$3,000; one owner had 72-month/72K-mile warranty covering cost minus $100 deductible
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota (on certified used vehicle) denied coverage citing road damage; Honda not directly addressed in narratives for warranty coverage
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) system failure
Vehicle Stability Assistance system failure causing sudden engine shutdown and restart while driving at low speed. VSA light, check engine light, and additional warning lights illuminated. System failure occurred after four years of ownership. One additional complaint describes VSA sensor illumination accompanied by power loss at 65 mph.
When: 45,000 miles; also at 128,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: sudden engine shutdown and restart; VSA warning light illumination; check engine light; loss of engine power
Codes mentioned: VSA system failure
Repairs/costs cited: Initial quote $2,300; owner negotiated and paid $725 after dealer and Honda assistance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda assisted with cost reduction after owner complaint
Stuck or sticking accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal failed to respond when released after passing maneuver, resulting in vehicle continuing at full throttle. Owner had to jam accelerator hard to reset it to idle. This occurred twice according to owner report.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: accelerator pedal unresponsive after release; continued acceleration at full throttle; pedal requires hard jamming to reset
Water pump failure with engine overheating
Water pump failure caused engine overheating and vehicle stall while driving. Owner reported asking repair shop three times about suspicious engine noise prior to failure; noise was dismissed or attributed to other causes. Overheating nearly caused accident.
When: Not specified; extensive repair needed
Symptoms owners cite: noise in engine ignored by shop; sudden engine overheating; engine stall
Repairs/costs cited: Extensive repair bill approximately $1,000
Front O2 sensor (Bank 1 Sensor 1) failure
Check engine light illuminated due to O2 sensor failure. Owner questioned why emissions sensor would fail at such low mileage on new vehicle.
When: 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: emissions warning light
Codes mentioned: P0135 or related (Bank 1 Sensor 1 Heat Circuit Inoperable)
Engine surging / excessive RPM increase and power loss
Engine RPMs increased excessively while driving at highway speed followed by sudden loss of power. Check engine light illuminated. Failure could not be replicated by dealer for diagnosis.
When: 92,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: excessive RPM increase; sudden loss of power; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; failure could not be diagnosed
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Honda CR-V?
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 engine problem on the 2006 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,300 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 48,154. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,300; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/CR-V.
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.