RoadVitals

2001 Honda S2000

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Dec 9, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Honda S2000, most frequently naming the transmission, steering and brakes categories. 90 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission318.8%
  • Steering318.8%
  • Brakes212.5%
  • Tires & wheels212.5%
  • Suspension16.3%
  • Body & structure16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%
  • Electrical16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2025

This vehicle has the same steering mechanism and the same mechanical issues as the Honda sedans recall earlier this year,, The steering suddenly becomes difficult to turn and hard to maintain. You can restart the car and the steering mechanism will also reset.

NHTSA ID
11703971
Incident
Dec 3, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2016
Fire reported

WHEN I WAS GOING ON HIGHWAY I FELT REALLY SHAKY STEERING. SO WHEN I GET OUT AND CHECK THE TIRES MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE DISK WAS REALLY HOT. I WAITED LITTLE BIT AND I TRIED TO KEEP GOING TO HOME. HOWEVER IT WAS KEEP GETTING REALLY WARM AND CAUSING THE CAR PULLING ONE SIDE AND SHAKING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. NEXT DAY WHEN I CHECK MY BRAKES AND BRAKE CALIPERS I FOUND OUT MY BRAKE CALIPER WAS SEIZED. AFTER A FEW SEARCHING ON INTERNET I FOUND OUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I THINK IT MIGHT CAUSE A BIG PROBLEMS AND EVEN ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID
10819530
Incident
Jun 4, 2015
Mileage
107,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 22, 2014
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HONDA S2000 TO WORK LIKE ANY OTHER NORMAL DAY. I GOT ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY AND AT THE END OF THE RAMP I WAS UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN I TRIED TO COUNTER STEER INTO THE SLIDE TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR SPUN AROUND VIOLENTLY CROSSING THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND ENDED UP WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST THE CENTER DIVIDE. I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND SEVERAL WITNESSES STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS OK FROM THERE DESCRIPTIONS I GATHERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HAD BUCKLED UNDER THE CAR CAUSING IT TO PIVOT ON THAT WHEEL THAT WAS NOW PARALLEL TO THE GROUND AND STILL PARTIALLY ATTACHED TO THE CAR UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE UPPER A ARM HAD BROKEN AND THE WHEEL ROLLED ON ITS SIDE UNDER THE CAR THE A-ARM HAD SIGNS OF FRESH BREAKAGE BUT ALSO SHOWED RUST ON THE SURFACE OF THE BREAK AS IF IT HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOME TIME AND FINALLY BROKE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BUT I TOOK PICTURES I CAN SEND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMED TO WORK FINE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND MY SEAT BELT HELD I WAS UN INJURED BUT LOST MY CAR. IT SEEMED TO BE A DEFECTIVE CASTING OR WEEK PART THAT CAUSED MY ACCIDENT. IT COULD KILL OTHER PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10638084
Incident
Oct 30, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA S200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED INTO THE LEFT LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
10434255
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
129,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2010

I OWN A 2001 HONDA S2000. LAST WINTER THE POWER STEERING PERIODICALLY FAILED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER, IN THE 30 DEGREE OR COLDER RANGE. IT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL THE CAR WARMED UP. BEFORE IT WARMED UP, THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER IT WARMED UP, THE STEERING WAS MUCH BETTER, BUT STILL FELT LIKE IT WAS "PULSING" WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD RIGHT OR HARD LEFT. THE SAME THING OCCURRED THIS PAST JANUARY WHEN WE HAD VERY COLD WEATHER HERE IN FLORIDA. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN HIS CAR, ALSO A HONDA. HE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRIC ASSIST WHICH WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY IN COLD WEATHER UNTIL THE CAR WARMED UP. HE OFFERED NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308641
Incident
Jan 4, 2010
Mileage
123,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 29, 2009

I HAVE A 2001 HONDA S2000, WHICH HAS JUST 30,000 MILES ON IT AND CAME WITH A PLASTIC REAR WINDOW. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE REAR WINDOW BEGAN TO DEVELOP POCK MARKS AND IT BECAME SO BAD THAT IT IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE BACK. THE CAR BEEN MAINTAINED WELL AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE CAR WASH EXPERTS THAT THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE SUN AND BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW IS PLASTIC. NOW, IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE CALLED HONDA AMERICA AND REPORTED IT AND REQUESTED THEM TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AND HAD NO SUGGESTIONS EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS I NOR MY WIFE OR ANYBODY CAN SEE OUT THE REAR WINDOW. INCIDENTALLY, ONE ISSUE IS THAT THE PLASTIC REAR WINDOW WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2001 AND FROM THE MODEL YEAR 2002 ONWARDS, HONDA USED A GLASS REAR WINDOW. AS A RESULT, THERE ARE NOT MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM OUT THERE AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IF THE VEHICLE WERE GARAGED 24 HOURS, THAT THE SUN WOULD NOT BEAT ON THE PLASTIC WINDOW AND IT MAY STAY CLEAR. THUS, THERE IS VERY LITTLE OR NO INCENTIVE FOR HONDA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR OWN VOLITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290291
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 2, 2006

ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS FAILURE TO OCCUR: THE NORMAL WEAR OF HITTING BUMPS, OR TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES IN THE SUMMER (I.E. SUDDEN A/C COOLING AFTER SITTING IN 90 DEG HEAT). I CAN'T THINK OF ANY OTHER CAUSE. THE CLEAR PLASTIC WINDOW THE DRIVER SEES THROUGH WHEN VIEWING THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO CRACK IN MULTIPLE PLACES. OVER TIME THE CRACKS INCREASED IN SIZE. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE PRIMARILY COSMETIC, BUT COULD ALSO POSE A SLIGHT HAZARD WHILE TRYING TO READ THE NUMERIC READOUTS AND INDICATORS. HONDA REPLACED THE PART FOR FREE USING THE WARRANTY, BUT AS I SUSPECTED THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THIS COULD PROVE A MAJOR HEADACHE IF I HAVE TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WINDOW ONCE/YEAR. I'D LIKE A STRONGER PLASTIC OR GLASS REPLACEMENT IF POSSIBLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10172485
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 30, 2006

THIS STORY REFERS TO THE REAR, RIGHT TIRE OF A 2001 HONDA S2000. I HAD REPLACED THE REAR TIRES LESS THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A POLE POSITION TIRES. I DROVE 120 MILES FROM SW RICHMOND, VA TO ANNANDALE, VA. THE PRIMARY HIGHWAYS I TRAVELED DURING THE TRIP INCLUDED I95 N AND I495 INNER LOOP; AND THE CONDITIONS ON I95 N WERE WINDY THE ENTIRE TRIP. I FREQUENTLY HAD TO SWERVE TO COUNTER LARGE WIND GUSTS. A FEW MINUTES AFTER EXITING I95 TO I495 (INNER LOOP) I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, THEN NOTICED MY REAR TIRE WAS SMOKING LIKE CRAZY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND MANAGED TO AVOID ONCOMING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC (VERY DANGEROUS). MY CAR ALSO STARTED TO SPIN OUT, BECAUSE BY THEN THE REAR, RIGHT TIRE HAD COLLAPSED WHILE BURNING; BUT I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SAFELY STOP THE CAR. TWO FIRESTONE DEALERS CLAIM THAT A ROAD HAZARD PUNCTURED THE TIRE, WHICH IN TURN LEAKED, COLLAPSED AND STARTED TO CATCH FIRE. NEITHER DEALER COULD DETERMINE THE LOCATION OR CAUSE OF THE PUNCTURE. THIS INCIDENT SEEMS ODD TO ME, BECAUSE I FELT NO INDICATION OF A FLAT TIRE UNTIL SMOKE BEGAN TO FORM. FOLLOWING TWO PREVIOUS TIRE PUNCTURES (ON THE LAST SET OF TIRES, ONCE AT EACH REAR TIRE), I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, AND BEFORE THEY CAUSED A PROBLEM. THE REAR, RIGHT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY RUINED, BECAUSE IT STARTED TO SMOLDER AFTER COLLAPSING, SO I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL, TWO-WEEK-OLD TIRE WITH A BRAND NEW IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT. TO THIS DAY I DON'T FEEL FIRESTONE ADEQUATELY INVESTIGATED WHAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO PUNCTURE, AND I WONDER IF A ROAD HAZARD REALLY CAUSED IT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10172163
Incident
Oct 26, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A07-030

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"

DLR MSG - Honda

AIR BAGS

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.

DLR MSG - Stop S

AIR BAGS

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, American Honda will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.

SB-99-075

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

HONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO RUN EVAP FUNCTION TEST TO FIND IF THERE IS A LEAK SO THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. *KB

08-040

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE

1205

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION GRINDS AT SHIFTS, SKIP SHIFTING. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda S2000 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000
2008300
2007310
2006102053.0
2005150041.6
2004500
2003800
2002100040.8
2001Viewing130048.9
2000403047.0

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.