Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 10 | typical | 2 | Airbag | Average |
| 2005 | 15 | typical | — | Transmission | Average |
| 2004 | 5 | −48% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 2003 | 8 | −13% | — | Engine | Average |
| 2002 | 10 | typical | — | Engine | Average |
| 2001 | 13 | typical | — | Transmission | Average |
| 2000 | 40 | 3.6× | 3 | Headlight | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median S2000 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Honda S2000 problems
Latest Honda S2000 recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2006, through November 13, 2006.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster assembly. If necessary, the dealers will replace the booster assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline.
Remedy: Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual.
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the lens of the side marker lamp and side reflex reflector in the tail lamp assembly were manufactured with incorrect dye.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all affected tail lamp assemblies. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Under certain conditions, the seat belt retractor can deform and cause complete or frequent locking of the retractor. As a result, the seat belts cannot be pulled out of the retractor and cannot be used.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt actuator assembly.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: convertible passenger vehicles. When the convertible top is down and the seat is pushed all the way back, the seat belts May not retract properly resulting in slack in the seat belts.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the convertible top cover to prevent interference with the seat belt.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Honda S2000 should you avoid?
2000 — this year has the most complaints relative to other S2000 years at the same age, led by lights problems in the 2000.
What is the best year for the Honda S2000?
2004 has the fewest complaints compared with other S2000 years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Honda S2000 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (19), body & structure (15) and transmission & drivetrain (13). Engine complaints peak in the 2002 model year.
How many recalls has the Honda S2000 had?
5 recalls across 2000–2006. The model year with the most is 2000. See all Honda S2000 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.