2000-2009 Honda S2000 Reliability Score: 8.9 out of 10

105 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

4 Fire Reports

14 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.9 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar sports cars

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 35 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 97.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Covers the 2000 to 2008 model years only (the generation ran 2000 to 2009).

Breakdown

Complaints overall35 complaints against about 97 for similar vehicles

8.9

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20008.7
20019.1
20028.9
20039.0
20049.0
20058.9
20069.1
20079.2
2008n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

F20C1

2.0L 4-cyl / 240 hp

51 complaints 12.8 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

exterior

other

steering

F22C1

2.4L 4-cyl / 240 hp

30 complaints 6.0 per year Gasoline

3 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

engine

body

safety systems

suspension

Honda S2000 Unidentified Engine

24 complaints 4.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

body

engine

cooling

other

wheels tires

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda S2000, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 19 owner complaints

Cooling System: 17 owner complaints

Body/Trim: 15 owner complaints

Transmission: 14 owner complaints

Exterior: 9 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2009 Honda S2000

On a used 2000-2009 Honda S2000, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (19), the cooling system (17) and the body and structure (15). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 about the engine, all engines combined.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 about the body and structure.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 about the exterior lighting.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2009 Honda S2000

Recalls (5)

13V246000Jun 13, 2013serious

Service Brakes

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. The brake booster may be unable to maintain a vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed, decreasing brake assist.

06V270000Jul 26, 2006cosmetic

Equipment

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.

04V257000Jun 1, 2004cosmetic

Exterior Lighting

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.

00V316000Oct 10, 2000critical

Seat Belts

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.

00V016000Jan 24, 2000serious

Seat Belts

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.

Alternatives in Sports Car

4 engines / 69 complaints

5 engines / 24 complaints

6 engines / 41 complaints

3 engines / 27 complaints

1 engine / 22 complaints

3 engines / 24 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2009 Honda S2000 complaints?

Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2009 Honda S2000. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the body and trim.

Is the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2009 Honda S2000. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 have?

NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2009 Honda S2000 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2009 Honda S2000?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2009 Honda S2000 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Honda S2000?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the body and trim, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the S2000 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2009 Honda S2000. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 105 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.