I just bought my first Honda and my choice hands down was the 2006 Civic EX with Nav. Great Car! However, the day I drove it home I began to notice a noise coming from what seems to be the front suspension area...kind'a like something was loose. The noise is most apparent when driving at really slow speeds..10-20 MPH and on side streets. I checked the lug nuts on the wheels, opened the hood and kind'a just moved stuff around to see if I could find the noise. No Luck! I called the delear to ask if they new of anything and they want me to bring it in for a test. They said if it's the struts, they are on back order for a month or two. Obvisouly this raised a red flag. If they are on back order, there must be a problem?? Has anyone encountered the same issue? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

is the noise a kind of a knocking noise, doesnt happen often, ususally at low rpms, not over 3,000. and only of few knocks when it does happen??? if it is this then its the engine. the new 06s have a higher comp. they say that you should run 87 oct. but thats why it knocks. if you run 93 or 89 oct. the knock is gone. i have not heard of any recalls yet on this partically situation but i have talked to a few others who have found the same thing. the engine is still just as strong, just with 87 oct a few knocks at rpm acceleration occur.
What does the noise your hearing sound like????

 

I just bought an '06 EX w/Navi too! Did you get the sedan or coupe? Mine's the sedan. I agree, it's a great car, although with only 750 mile on it, it's still yet to prove itself. I have been pleased with how quiet the ride is for the most part. The tires tend to howl on certain road surfaces but I've not had a car in recent history that didn't do that. Fortunately, I've not detected the symptoms you describe in my car as yet. At least it seems that the dealer has a handle on what the problem is. That makes it much easier to get fixed.

I know the backorder status on your struts sounds ominous but that's not necessarily the case. Parts availability can be effected by a number of factors including what they need just to maintain production. Civics sell like hot cakes and that may be where most of the parts are aimed at for the time being. The '06's are also a total redesign so some teething problems are not unexpected. Suspension struts aren't exactly the most common things to fail so if Honda did get a bad batch from whomever they get their supply from, it doesn't surprise me that they'd be on back order for the dealer.

Is the car still driveable? If so, I'd just try to be patient. Hopefully, the backorder won't last as long as they're telling you.

Good luck,
Steve R.

 

IM glad this has happened to you too, I have an 02 SI and I noticed when going down my road (20mph) I would hear rattling up towards the front of the car. My tie rods have been replaced so I was thinking thats great somethings loose up there, but I never hear it anywhere else like doing over twenty....I have magnaflow exhaust so that could be the reason but it may just be something with honda's idk...im kinda glad your having the same noise too though! If you take it to a dealer or something and they find somehting wrong email me with what it is.