The Honda Civic has always been a popular choice for new and used car shoppers alike. It’s a good looking vehicle known for fuel efficiency and being a great value among its crowded segment. When it comes to the 2006 Honda Civic, though? Unfortunately, there are multiple reasons to avoid it.

Owners have plenty to complain about

CarComplaints.com has logged over 2,000 complaints about the 2006 Honda Civic. Whether it’s engine problems or transmission issues, owners of the 2006 Honda Civic have plenty to complain about. However, the top complaints include the Civic’s engine, body, interior accessories, and wheels.

When it comes to engine problems, owners have taken issue with the car’s engine block. One of the most recent complaints details the engine block cracking and ultimately totaling the car altogether.

“The engine block was cracked and we were leaking coolant. We never knew it because the engine light never came on. The temperature gauge for the engine also wasn’t working. So it randomly died on the highway. And we blew a gasket. The entire thing was totaled. We had it towed to a mechanic who said that the engine had gotten so hot, it had melted the dipstick. We were lucky there wasn’t a fire. We had regular maintenance done on the car but the way it was cracked meant no one ever saw it,” the complaint reads.

It’s been recalled multiple times

The 2006 Honda Civic has been faced with its share of recalls too. The most well-known recall it’s been faced with concerns its airbags. Along with a slew of other cars, the 2006 Honda Civic was included in the Takata airbag recall.

According to Honda, “In the event of a passenger frontal airbag inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, potentially resulting in injury to vehicle occupants.”

Honda also recalled it for its accelerator pedal. Per Honda, the accelerator pedal was not installed correctly and could come loose, increasing the risk of a crash.

Does the 2006 Honda Civic have anything going for it?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did tap the 2006 Honda Civic as a Top Safety Pick. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also gave it high marks when it came to safety, awarding it a 5 out of 5-star frontal crash rating. The NHTSA did, however, give it a 4 out of 5-star rating in its driver side barrier test.

There’s no denying that the 2006 Honda Civic is a fuel-efficient sedan as well. Standard with a SOHC 1.8-liter, inline four-cylinder engine with Honda’s i-VTEC system under the hood, it’s a mere fuel sipper. 

Choose one of these used cars instead of the 2006 Honda Civic 

If you’re shopping for a used sedan, U.S. News & World Report recommends the 2010 Ford Fusion. Not only does it offer sporty handling, but U.S. News & World Report says its “excellent safety scores, roomy cabin and large trunk also make it a good choice for shoppers who need a practical used car.”

If the 2010 Ford Fusion isn’t quite your style, consider the 2016 Toyota Camry. Because it’s quite a bit newer than the 2006 Honda Civic, you can expect it to come equipped with better, more up-to-date features. 

And if neither of those sedans works for you? Not to fear. With so many options to pick from, avoiding this particular Honda is easier than you might think.