2000 Honda S2000 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Honda S2000, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility817.0%
- Body & structure714.9%
- Exterior lighting612.8%
- Engine510.6%
- Seat belts48.5%
- Brakes36.4%
- Airbags36.4%
- Electrical24.3%
- Transmission24.3%
- Fuel system24.3%
- Heating & air conditioning12.1%
- Tires & wheels12.1%
- Suspension12.1%
- Powertrain (other)12.1%
- Steering12.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *JB
I OWN A 2000 HONDA S2000 CONVERTIBLE. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WINDOW HAS STEADILY CLOUDED TO THE POINT THAT I CAN NO LONGER SEE THROUGH IT. MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER (JONES HONDA, 1335 MANHEIM PIKE, LANCASTER, PA 17603 717-394-0711) TELLS ME THE ENTIRE ROOF WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE WINDOW. THE COST IS IN EXCESS OF $2,000.00. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER S2000 OWNERS AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THEIR REAR WINDOWS.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
DEALER TRIED TO REMOVE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DUE TO RECALL 004V160000 INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE COVER AS THE RECALL STATED. CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS GLUED TOGETHER WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO PICK IT UP. DEALER STATED THAT THE TOP IS GETTING OLD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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... THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER IN THIS MATTER. *TR
PROBLEMS RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TAILLIGHT SIDE MARKERS.*MR THE CONSUMER OPTED TO ORDER THE PARTS FROM HONDA AND REPLACE THE MARKER'S HIMSELF DUE TO THE COST OF LABOR. ONCE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED HE RETURNED THE PROPER FORMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HE WAS LATER TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRED PROOF FROM THE DEALER THE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE FADING PROBLEM. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIP STICK SHOWED GOOD OIL LEVEL. HOWEVER, UPON DRIVING IT ONE DAY THE ENGINE BLEW AND THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. ENGINE CONSUMED OIL ENOUGH THAT IT THREW A ROD BEARING. REPLACED THE BEARINGS AND IT RAN ABOUT 24 MILES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT DESTROYED THE CRANK IN NUMBER 2 CYLINDER. HONDA CORP. WASN'T VERY FRIENDLY ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OIL DISTRIBUTION IN THIS CAR. *TR
PREMATURE FAILURE OF CONNECTING RODS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT MADE A NOISE WHILE BEING RETRACTED. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. *AK *JB
IN FEB. CONSUMER RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE 00V-016 WHICH STATES; WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS DOWN AND THE SEAT IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY BACK THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY RESULTING IN SLACK IN THE BELTS, THE LETTER STATED THAT A SECOND NOTICE WOULD BE SENT WHEN THE INPROVEMENT PART WAS AVAILABLE BUT CONSUMER NEVER RECIEVED A SECOND NOTICE. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*AK
TAIL LIGHT LENSES FADING FROM RED TO PINK WITHIN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. POLICE WARNING - STATING MODIFIED LIGHTING SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
YOUR WEB SITE DOES NOT SEARCH THE VIN. VIN IS CORRECT. WEB SITE IS UNRESPONSIVE
DELAYED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT (INFLATED AFTER 2 SECONDS), UPON HITTING A TREE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HONDA S2000 IS A MANUAL SHIFT CAR. THE MAP SENSOR ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR ADJUSTS WHEN NEEDED TO CONTROL AIR INTAKE OF THIS CAR. DURING SHIFTING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY STALL AND SHUT OFF, DUE TO SOME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS SENSOR. ON DOZENS OF OCCASIONS, I WAS IN ATLANTA RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE CAR STALLED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND I AM LUCKY THAT I OR NOBODY ELSE WAS HURT. LUCKILY I AM GOOD WITH A STICK SHIFT AND NEW TO PRESS THE SHIFT PEDAL AND COAST TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I COULD RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IF THEY HAD A WARRANTY ON ALL PARTS OF THE CAR THEY WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS. BECAUSE OF THE APPROXIMATELY $900 REPAIR FEE, I SOUGHT HELP ON THE FORUMS OF THE LARGEST S2000 FANSITE. ON THE FORUMS SECTION OF THIS SITE, THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT, THERE IS A SECTION ON THE FORUM CALLED THE "MAP WACK", A PROCEDURE WHERE YOU TAKE A HAMMER AND WACK THE MAP SENSOR TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. I AM OUTRAGED THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED MY BACK TAIL LIGHTS BECAUSE THE PAINT COLOR FADES, YET NO SUCH RECALL EXISTS FOR A DEVICE THAT CAN STALL AN S2000 AT ANY SPEED. I ENDED UP GETTING A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESURFACED IN 2 YEARS. HOWEVER, I AM OUTRAGED THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I ONLY LABEL THIS AS A DEFECT BECAUSE THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS AND EVEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS MINE ON THE S2000 FANSITE. *JB
THERE IS A DEFECT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO FAIL TO START/ WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF. THESE EVENTS OCCUR ON RANDOM BASIS OR WHEN CONSUMER TRAVELS OVER A BUMP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK CONSUMER STATES TURN SIGNALS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, ALSO HEADLIGHTS DO NOT JUST FLASH ON/OFF THEY ALSO SOMETIMES JUST STAY OFF, CONSUMER STATES HE REQUESTED THAT THE SECURITY DEVICE THAT IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE NOT BE INSTALLED IN HIS, CONSUMER STATES ONE MORNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW TWO WIRES THAT HAD BEEN CRIMPED TOGETHER, SO CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALERSHIP INADVERTENLY INSTALLED THE SECURITY DEVICE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM DOES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY YET NOTHING WAS BEING DONE BY THE DEALER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WILL NOT EVEN TALK TO CONSUMER TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, CAUSING LIMITED SLIP, LEAKS, AND NOISE. *YD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HONDA S2000 IS A MANUAL SHIFT CAR. THE MAP SENSOR ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR ADJUSTS WHEN NEEDED TO CONTROL AIR INTAKE OF THIS CAR. DURING SHIFTING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY STALL AND SHUT OFF, DUE TO SOME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS SENSOR. ON DOZENS OF OCCASIONS, I WAS IN ATLANTA RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE CAR STALLED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND I AM LUCKY THAT I OR NOBODY ELSE WAS HURT. LUCKILY I AM GOOD WITH A STICK SHIFT AND NEW TO PRESS THE SHIFT PEDAL AND COAST TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I COULD RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IF THEY HAD A WARRANTY ON ALL PARTS OF THE CAR THEY WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS. BECAUSE OF THE APPROXIMATELY $900 REPAIR FEE, I SOUGHT HELP ON THE FORUMS OF THE LARGEST S2000 FANSITE. ON THE FORUMS SECTION OF THIS SITE, THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT, THERE IS A SECTION ON THE FORUM CALLED THE "MAP WACK", A PROCEDURE WHERE YOU TAKE A HAMMER AND WACK THE MAP SENSOR TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. I AM OUTRAGED THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED MY BACK TAIL LIGHTS BECAUSE THE PAINT COLOR FADES, YET NO SUCH RECALL EXISTS FOR A DEVICE THAT CAN STALL AN S2000 AT ANY SPEED. I ENDED UP GETTING A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESURFACED IN 2 YEARS. HOWEVER, I AM OUTRAGED THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I ONLY LABEL THIS AS A DEFECT BECAUSE THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS AND EVEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS MINE ON THE S2000 FANSITE. *NM
FUEL CUT-OFF DURING LEFT TURN WHEN LESS THAN HALF A TANK OF FUEL. CREATES UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN LATERAL G-FORCES ARE APPLIED. RESEARCH BY AHM IS NEEDED TO FIND REMEDY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, CAUSING LIMITED SLIP, LEAKS, AND NOISE. *YD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, TREAD STARTED SHREDDING ON RIGHT REAR TIRE WHERE IT REVEALED CORD ON TIRE. TIRE DECREASED AMOUNT OF TREAD. CONTACTED DEALER WHO INDICATED A POSSIBLE CORD PROBLEM. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR HONDA, ECSTA, S2000, 2000. TIRE SIZE 712 225/50R16 92V .*AK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN ALIGNMENT, THE TIRE PRESSURE HAD BEEN CHECKED, PRIOR TO MAKING TRIP, THE ENTIRE TREAD WEAR GROOVE WAS LESS PROMINENT, DOT NUMBER Y018YAW2901.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, CAUSING LIMITED SLIP, LEAKS, AND NOISE. *YD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .