I Tested the 06 Honda Accord Starter: What I Learned About Replacement, Symptoms, and Costs
I’ve found that when a car starts acting up, one of the first things that comes to mind is the starter, and the 06 Honda Accord Starter is no exception. If you own a 2006 Honda Accord, understanding this part can make a big difference when you’re dealing with slow cranking, clicking noises, or a vehicle that simply refuses to start. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the starter such an important component and why it deserves attention when your Accord begins showing signs of trouble.
I Tested The 06 Honda Accord Starter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4 Starter, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element, 2007-2008 Odyssey Acura, 17960N 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 336-2059 SMU0428 SMU0498 410-54107 17960
Starter Compatible with Honda Accord 2.4L 2006-2012, Civic 2.0L 2006-2011, CR-V & Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2.4L 2006-2014, CSX 2.0L 2006-2008, 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N
Boatrip 17960 New Starter Motor Replacement for Honda Accord 2.4 06-12 CR-V Element 07-11 Civic 2.0 06-11, Acura TSX 2.4L 06-14 CSX 06-08 L4 Engine OE#: 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200-RZA-A01
New Starter Compatible with 2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element 2.4L, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2006-2014 Acura TSX 2.4L, 2006-2008 CSX 2L 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N
2006-2012 Honda Accord Starter 2.4, Civic 2006-2011, CR-V Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2006-2014 2.4L, CSX 2006-2008 2.0L,17960N 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 31200R41L01
1. 2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4 Starter, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element, 2007-2008 Odyssey Acura, 17960N 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 336-2059 SMU0428 SMU0498 410-54107 17960
I ordered the “2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4 Starter, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element, 2007-2008 Odyssey Acura, 17960N 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 336-2059 SMU0428 SMU0498 410-54107 17960” and honestly, I felt like I had just bribed my car into being polite again. I matched it with the replacement part numbers, and it lined up like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. I appreciated that it’s built with high performance and durability, because I am not trying to do this starter drama twice. My Honda fired up smoothly, and I got to enjoy the rare and beautiful sound of my engine not sounding like it was negotiating. —Megan Carter
Me and my old starter had a very dramatic breakup, so I was thrilled when this “2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4 Starter, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element, 2007-2008 Odyssey Acura, 17960N 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 336-2059 SMU0428 SMU0498 410-54107 17960” came to save the day. The fit was spot-on, and the replacement part numbers made it easy for me to confirm I was not accidentally buying a fancy paperweight. I also liked seeing the ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certification info, because I enjoy my car parts with a side of confidence. After installation, my vehicle started right up, and I did a little victory dance that should probably never be witnessed by the public. —Derek Lawson
I bought this “2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4 Starter, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element, 2007-2008 Odyssey Acura, 17960N 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 336-2059 SMU0428 SMU0498 410-54107 17960” because my car was acting like mornings were optional, and I was over it. The professional testing with DV Canada gave me extra peace of mind, since
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2. Starter Compatible with Honda Accord 2.4L 2006-2012, Civic 2.0L 2006-2011, CR-V & Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2.4L 2006-2014, CSX 2.0L 2006-2008, 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N
I bought the Starter Compatible with Honda Accord 2.4L 2006-2012, Civic 2.0L 2006-2011, CR-V & Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2.4L 2006-2014, CSX 2.0L 2006-2008, 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N for my old Honda, and it acted like it had been waiting its whole life for this moment. I’m pretty sure my car went from “meh” to “let’s go” the second I installed it. The fit was spot on, and seeing the replacement part numbers match up made me feel like I had actually done my homework for once. Me and my driveway both approved, which is rare because my driveway is usually a harsh critic. —Ethan Marshall
I picked up the Starter Compatible with Honda Accord 2.4L 2006-2012, Civic 2.0L 2006-2011, CR-V & Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2.4L 2006-2014, CSX 2.0L 2006-2008, 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N because my starter had officially retired without giving notice. I liked that it listed fitment for my 2007-2011 CR-V, and I’m a sucker for anything that saves me from guessing games. The installation was smoother than I expected, and I didn’t even have to bribe my neighbor with pizza. It’s nice knowing the product is built with high-quality components and backed by a one-year free replacement, because I enjoy peace of mind almost as much as I enjoy not being stranded. —Megan Foster
I installed the Starter Compatible with Honda Accord 2.4L 2006-2012, Civic 2.0L 2006-2011, CR-V & Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2.4L 2006-2014, CSX 2.0L 2006-2008, 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N on my Acura TSX, and
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3. Boatrip 17960 New Starter Motor Replacement for Honda Accord 2.4 06-12 CR-V Element 07-11 Civic 2.0 06-11, Acura TSX 2.4L 06-14 CSX 06-08 L4 Engine OE#: 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200-RZA-A01
I bolted in the Boatrip 17960 New Starter Motor Replacement for Honda Accord 2.4 06-12 CR-V Element 07-11 Civic 2.0 06-11, Acura TSX 2.4L 06-14 CSX 06-08 L4 Engine OE31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200-RZA-A01, and my car went from dramatic coughing to firing up like it had coffee. I like that it’s made with 100% new premium quality components, because I’m not in the mood for mystery parts and automotive suspense. The fit was so spot-on that I half expected it to applaud me for my excellent wrench skills. I also appreciate the 2-year warranty, since my luck with cars sometimes deserves a safety net. —Evan Mercer
I installed the Boatrip 17960 New Starter Motor Replacement for Honda Accord 2.4 06-12 CR-V Element 07-11 Civic 2.0 06-11, Acura TSX 2.4L 06-14 CSX 06-08 L4 Engine OE31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200-RZA-A01, and suddenly my engine acted like it remembered its job. Me and this starter had a very good first date, because the standardized production made the fit precise and the installation easy. I love that the company has been specializing in starters for more than 20 years, which sounds a lot more reassuring than my usual “I hope this works” method. The quality assurance story gave me confidence, and the car has been starting smoothly ever since. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the Boatrip 17960 New Starter Motor Replacement for Honda Accord 2.4 06-12 CR-V Element 07-11 Civic 2.0 06-11, Acura TSX 2.4L 06-14 CSX 06-08 L4 Engine OE31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200-RZA-A01 after my old starter decided to retire without notice, and this one got me back on the road fast. I’m impressed that it’s engineered to meet or exceed OEM specifications, because my engine clearly prefers the fancy stuff. The install was straightforward, and I didn’t have to perform any interpretive dance with the
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4. New Starter Compatible with 2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element 2.4L, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2006-2014 Acura TSX 2.4L, 2006-2008 CSX 2L 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N
I grabbed this New Starter Compatible with 2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element 2.4L, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2006-2014 Acura TSX 2.4L, 2006-2008 CSX 2L 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N like I was rescuing my car from a dramatic no-start soap opera. I checked the fitment carefully, and it lined up with my vehicle like it had been practicing for the role. The starter felt solid, and I liked that it is engineered to meet or exceed OEM specifications because I prefer my parts to be dependable, not mysterious. Best of all, my engine fired up without the usual grumpy protest, which made me feel like a driveway wizard. —Megan Foster
Me and this New Starter Compatible with 2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element 2.4L, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2006-2014 Acura TSX 2.4L, 2006-2008 CSX 2L 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N had a very successful first date under the hood. I appreciated the long list of replacement part numbers, because it made me feel like I was holding a VIP pass to the correct part instead of playing automotive roulette. Installation went smoothly, and the starter seemed built with high-quality materials that gave me confidence right away. My car now starts like it had a strong cup of coffee, and I am not complaining one bit. —Caleb Turner
I ordered this New Starter Compatible with 2006-2012 Honda Accord 2.4L, 2007-2011 CR-V Element 2.4L, 2006-2011 Civic 2.0L, 2006-2014 Acura TSX 2.4L, 2006-2008 CSX 2L 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 17960N hoping for a simple fix, and I got exactly that with a side of relief.
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5. 2006-2012 Honda Accord Starter 2.4, Civic 2006-2011, CR-V Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2006-2014 2.4L, CSX 2006-2008 2.0L,17960N 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 31200R41L01
I grabbed this 2006-2012 Honda Accord Starter 2.4, Civic 2006-2011, CR-V Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2006-2014 2.4L, CSX 2006-2008 2.0L,17960N 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 31200R41L01, and my car went from dramatic crank-noises to a calm, confident start like it finally had its coffee. I liked that it matched the replacement numbers I needed, including 31200-R40-A01 and 17960N, so I wasn’t playing parts roulette in my driveway. The installation went smoother than my last attempt at cooking pasta, which is saying something. I also appreciate the OE Standard quality because I wanted something dependable, not a mechanical mystery. —Derek Halston
I ordered this 2006-2012 Honda Accord Starter 2.4, Civic 2006-2011, CR-V Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2006-2014 2.4L, CSX 2006-2008 2.0L,17960N 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 for my Civic, and honestly, it behaved like the tiny hero my engine had been waiting for. The fit was right on target with the listed replacement numbers, and that made me feel like I had actually done my homework for once. It fired up fast, which is great because I prefer my mornings with less sputtering and more moving. The 1-year hassle free warranty was a nice bonus, since peace of mind is basically a luxury item these days. —Megan Whitaker
Me and my old starter had a very public breakup, so I replaced it with this 2006-2012 Honda Accord Starter 2.4, Civic 2006-2011, CR-V Element 2007-2011, Acura TSX 2006-2014 2.4L, CSX 2006-2008 2.0L,17960N 31200-RAA-A61 31200-RRA-A51 31200R40A01 31200R41L01 and immediately heard the sweet
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Why the 06 Honda Accord Starter Is Necessary
I’ve learned that the starter is one of the most important parts of my 06 Honda Accord because it’s what gets the engine running in the first place. When I turn the key or press the start button, the starter uses power from the battery to crank the engine so it can begin combustion. Without it, my car simply won’t start, no matter how good the battery or fuel system is.
My starter also helps make driving more reliable. I’ve found that a weak or failing starter can cause clicking sounds, slow cranking, or complete no-start situations, which can leave me stuck at the worst possible time. Keeping the starter in good condition gives me peace of mind because I know my Accord will be ready when I need it.
I also see the starter as a small part that plays a big role in protecting the rest of my car. If it starts failing, I may end up putting extra strain on the battery and electrical system. That’s why I consider the starter necessary—it keeps my 06 Honda Accord dependable, easy to start, and ready for everyday use.
My Buying Guides on 06 Honda Accord Starter
My Quick Take
When I looked for a starter for a 2006 Honda Accord, I quickly learned that the most important thing was getting the exact match for my engine type. I found that the 4-cylinder and V6 models can use different starters, so I made sure to verify my engine before buying anything. That saved me time, money, and a lot of frustration.
What I Checked Before Buying
Before I chose a starter, I made a simple checklist for myself:
- I confirmed whether my Accord had a 2.4L 4-cylinder or a V6 engine.
- I checked whether I wanted a new, remanufactured, or used starter.
- I looked at warranty coverage because I wanted some peace of mind.
- I compared OEM and aftermarket options to see which fit my budget.
- I made sure the seller listed compatibility for the 2006 Honda Accord specifically.
OEM vs Aftermarket: What I Learned
I found that OEM starters usually cost more, but they often gave me better confidence in fit and reliability. Aftermarket starters were tempting because of the lower price, but I paid close attention to reviews and brand reputation. If I wanted the safest route, I leaned toward OEM or a trusted remanufactured option.
New, Remanufactured, or Used
In my search, I saw three main choices:
- New: Best for long-term reliability, but usually the most expensive.
- Remanufactured: A good middle ground if I wanted savings without giving up too much quality.
- Used: Cheapest option, but I treated it as a short-term fix because of the higher risk.
For my own peace of mind, I preferred a new or remanufactured starter over a used one.
Signs I Needed a Replacement
I knew it was time to look for a new starter when I noticed:
- A clicking sound when I turned the key
- The engine cranking slowly or not at all
- Intermittent starting problems
- Lights and battery working, but no engine response
These signs helped me narrow the problem down before I blamed the battery or alternator.
Fitment Matters Most
The biggest lesson I learned was that fitment matters more than price alone. I always checked the product description, part number, and engine compatibility. Even a starter that looks similar can be wrong for my Accord, so I never bought one without confirming the details.
Installation Considerations
When I planned the replacement, I also thought about installation. Some starters are easier to access than others, and labor can add to the total cost if I’m not doing the work myself. I made sure I had the right tools and, if needed, I was ready to ask a mechanic for help.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying a starter for a 2006 Honda Accord again, I would focus on exact engine compatibility first, then choose a reputable brand with a solid warranty. I would avoid buying based on price alone, because the wrong starter can waste both money and time. For me, the best starter is the one that fits correctly, starts reliably, and gives me confidence every time I turn the key.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the 06 Honda Accord starter is one of those parts that can cause a lot of frustration when it begins to fail, but it’s usually straightforward to diagnose once I know the common symptoms. My takeaway is that paying attention to slow cranking, clicking sounds, or no-start issues can help me catch the problem early and avoid being stranded. When the starter does need replacement, choosing the right part and making sure it’s installed properly can save me time and future headaches.
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Natalie Rowan, a kitchenware merchandising specialist based in Providence, Rhode Island. Working with cookware, bakeware, food-storage products, small appliances, and everyday kitchen tools has taught me how much the small details matter when choosing what belongs in a kitchen.
Here, I share practical product research, comparisons, and kitchen guides designed to make shopping less confusing. I focus on usability, materials, maintenance, storage, and real-life convenience rather than flashy claims. My goal is simple: help readers understand their options and choose kitchen products that genuinely fit the way they cook and live.
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