Most common 2000 Honda S2000 problems
Share of the 40 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda S2000 complaints by model year
Best S2000 years: 2004. Years to avoid: 2000. Compare all years →
2000 Honda S2000 recalls (3)
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.
What 2000 Honda S2000 owners say
Lights
I am the original owner of a 2000 Honda S2000...this past month I replaced the headlight assemblies for both headlights because the plastic shields which protect the lights had deteriorated so much that virtually no light was emitting from the headlights and the part which was the problem (the plastic lens cover or shield)cannot be replaced as a separate part..you must purchase the complete headlight assembly from Honda...as there are no after market alternative parts...the cost for the headlight assemblies was $1,100 plus taxes...again nothing else other than the encasements were replaced..still using the original bulbs, motors, transformers, etc.....it's outrageous that a part would deteriorate to the point of it becoming a safety issue and that I am stuck with an out of pocket expense of close to $1,200 to correct the situation... …
I own a $32,000 Honda S2000. After only 3 years, my tail lamps are so faded that they appear almost white. When I apply the brakes, it looks like I'm in reverse! This is a huge safety issue in my eyes and in the eyes of the cop that gave me a ticket for it. I went to the local Honda dealer to get this fixed, and they will not fix it. I have an extended warranty, but they said that is not covered under the warranty. I told them it's a safety issue, they said they didn't care, word for word! "that is not our problem", is exactly what they said. This is surely my last Honda! I'll spend my $32,000 or more somewhere else. Honda's loss.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
The rear plastic window became opaque and yellow, to the point where 3 years after buying the car, you could not see through it at all. This made the car dangerous to drive when the convertible top was not down, because rear visibility was only through the side mirrors. While I would consider a functional rear window to be a major safety issue, Honda refused to replace it, saying my warranty did not apply to "upholstery". I attempted to clean it with various window cleaners, and while they helped restore opacity, they did not restore transparency or visibility.
The vinyl rear window on my 2000 S2000 has faded I have had numerous run-ins with my local dealer and area rep you cannot see out of it, it has turned milky white making it a visual hazard since you can't see thru it also making that m.v. Will fail it for inspection, I have used all the recommeded cleaners as well as a boot they recommened. I had also filed a complaint with Honda automobile and got a nice dear john letter with no satisfaction case # no2003-11-1900869, after some inquiring byou can buy a new top with a glass back window from Honda and have it installed for a mere $1600.00 but they will not correct a visual hazard condition, is this what Honda has come to. Unhappily waiting for an answer.
Body & structure
While driving my S2000 and turning on curvy roads the vehicle would not turn correctly and ended up in a field to the side of the road. We noticed the upper control arm spot weld broke free meaning the upper suspension mount was not connected and caused the incident. Honda knows it's an issue with 2000-2003 model year vehicles and has issued a TSB sn040903 "09/01/2004 popping from front wheel upper control arm mount" multiple other people have had the issue over the years so much that many companies developed reinforcement plates such as these: https://originfabrication.com/products/upper-controll-arm-mounting-point-gusset-kit-Honda-S2000 if this issue had occured just 500 feet before I would have ended up steering into an oncoming semi-truck.
When driving at high speeds in the rain it felt like the vehicle was driving on ice. If there was any dip in the road, the vehicle hydroplaned. The consumer was unable to steer the vehicle, which was very dangerous, consumer had to drive very slowly. The dealer had been contacted, the dealer blamed the tires, the tire manufacturer blamed the car manufacturer p02enzas-02 only 11000 miles on the tires.
2000 Honda S2000 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Honda S2000 a good car?
Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 S2000 rates avoid: 3.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the S2000 at the same age. It is one of the S2000 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Honda S2000?
The lights — 8 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tail lights. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (8) and body & structure (7).
How many recalls does the 2000 Honda S2000 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2000 Honda S2000, the most recent from June 1, 2004 (tail lights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda S2000?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000. See the full Honda S2000 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Honda S2000 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 69% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.