VehicleVerdict

2000 Honda S2000 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 53 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median S2000 year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 9 S2000 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (8), lighting (8), and body & structure (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

53

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other S2000 years?

S2000 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted53 complaints2000: 53 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 11 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 6 complaints2005: 18 complaints2006: 12 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 3 complaints
S2000 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S2000 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Honda S2000 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting815%
Visibility & Wipers815%
Body & Structure713%
Transmission611%
Engine611%
Seat Belts48%
Airbags36%
Electrical System24%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)24%
Fuel System24%
Tires & Wheels12%
Other12%
Brakes12%
Steering12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2000 Honda S2000 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V257000LightingJune 1, 2004 · 7,067 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

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.

00V316000Seat BeltsOctober 10, 2000 · 9,147 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY.

00V016000Seat BeltsJanuary 24, 2000 · 4,930 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS SLACK CAN REDUCE THE PROTECTIVE CAPABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BELTS AND INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE SEAT BELT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 1, 1901

“REAR PLASTIC WINDOW HAS ZERO VISIBILITY DUE TO SCRATCHING DURING CONVERTABLE TOP USE. THIS IS DURING NORMAL USE OF THE CONVERTABLE TOP. REAR PLASTIC WINDOW AS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE DUE TO ZERO VISIBILITY AND DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM CURRENTLY. DURING REVERSE OR LANE MERGING,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 2, 2003

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 3, 2020 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 25, 2008

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 20, 2004

2000 Honda S2000 — common questions

Is the 2000 Honda S2000 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 53 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 9 S2000 years. It is one of the S2000 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 S2000 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (8 complaints), lighting (8 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints).

Does the 2000 Honda S2000 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Honda S2000. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda S2000 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S2000 years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among S2000 years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.