Total Complaints
18 filings
HONDA S2000 · model year
18 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005HONDAS2000 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 S2000 is power train:manual transmission with 2 filings, followed by power train (2) and structure (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2005 S2000, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
18 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
THIS 2005 HONDA S2K LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THEN BENT THE TIE ROD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND WHICH SENT THE TIRE UNDER THE UNIBODY OF THE CAR. WHICH FOR A REAR WHEEL DRIVE CAR IS VERY BAD. YOU WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR IN THIS SCENARIO.
Mileage: 116,000
THE LEFT SEAT ADJUSTMENT RAIL FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE BOLT HOLDING THE FORWARD END OF THE RAIL TO THE FLOOR. THIS ALLOWED THE DRIVERS SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. I HAD ADJUSTED THE SEAT FORWARD TO MY USUAL DRIVING POSITION, AND PUSHED BACKWARD ON THE SEAT TO CHECK THAT THE ADJUSTER WAS LOCKED. WHEN I DID THAT, THE SEAT BRACKET BROKE LOOSE AND THE SEAT TILTED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BROKEN RAIL, HONDA PART NUMBER 81660-S2A-A02. I PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE DRIVER'S SEAT RAIL (81670-S2A-A02) WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM JAMMED, IN JANUARY2011. THAT PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE NEW FROM HONDA. ALL BOLTS WERE REINSTALLED ACCORDING TO TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS IN THE HONDA S2000 FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL.
Mileage: 55,090
SATURDAY AUGUST 25 WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM BRANFORD CT TO GUILFORD CT THRU NORTH BRANFORD. DROVE FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WITH A LINE OF TRAFFIC. SLOWED TO A STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED BY AAA TO MY MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHY IT WOULD NOT START. HE CALLED AND STATED HE COULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER. TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS AND THE MOTOR WOULD NOT CRANK OVER EVEN WITH A BAR. HE STATED THE ENGINE SEIZED.
Mileage: 77,500
SATURDAY AUGUST 25 WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM BRANFORD CT TO GUILFORD CT THRU NORTH BRANFORD. DROVE FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WITH A LINE OF TRAFFIC. SLOWED TO A STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED BY AAA TO MY MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHY IT WOULD NOT START. HE CALLED AND STATED HE COULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER. TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS AND THE MOTOR WOULD NOT CRANK OVER EVEN WITH A BAR. HE STATED THE ENGINE SEIZED.
Mileage: 77,500
I HAVE A 2005 HONDA S2000 THAT HAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT HAS COME ON & HAS A INTERNAL ERROR COMING FROM MY OBS2 READER. THE CAR ACTS UP LIKE YOU TURNED THE KEY OFF & ON WHEN DRIVING. IF THEY ARE A RECALL I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ONE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 9 MONTHS & IT STARTED AT 6 MONTHS. THE CAR PROBLEM SEEM TO HAVE EFFECTED THE ACCELERATION AT LOW RPMS
Mileage: 135,000
STARTED MY 2005 HONDA S2000 WITH 144,456 MILES ON IT. THE SRS AIRBAG CODE ILLUMINATED. I HAD THE CODE READ AND IT IS A 02-2 FOR A INCREASED RESISTANCE IN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED BUT HAS A FAULTY AIRBAG. I AM WONDERING IF THIS CAR MAY FALL INTO A UPCOMING AIRBAG RECALL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS AIRBAG. WHAT CAN I DO?
Mileage: 144,456
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH - ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL - THE CAR IMMEDIATELY PICKUP UP SPEED AND CONTINUED ACCELERATION AT INCREASING RATES. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL (WHICH NORMALLY DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL) DID NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE. DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH - WHICH NORMALLY DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE, AND THE ENGINE RACED AWAY. ONLY WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SWITCHED OFF DID THE ENGAGE REDUCE THE SPEED. THE CAR WAS LEFT IN A BUSINESS INTERSECTION THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AS THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I RECREATED THE INCIDENT AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AND AGAIN HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF TO SHUT DOWN THE RACING ENGINE. THE CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED THIS TIME. AT THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER THIS MORNING - VIC BAILEY IN SPARTANBURG, SC - THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE SWITCH AND A CABLE REEL (?) BEING THE SOURCE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THEY ARE REPAIRING THE CAR AT A
Mileage: 55,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA S2000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DOWN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Mileage: 64,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA S2000. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CROSS BAR ON THE INTERIOR ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAS BROKEN DOWN THE FABRIC OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND HAS CAUSED THE TOP TO SPLIT. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS KNOWN, BUT THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE DEALERS STATEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Mileage: 48,000
I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 HONDA S2000 IN AUGUST OF 2005. I DROVE THE CAR SUMMERS UNTIL AUGUST 2009 ACCUMULATING 13,700 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY AT PORTER HONDA IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. ON AUGUST 28, 2009 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING IT NEAR MY HOME IN WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS. FLAMES ESCAPED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER CABIN FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ESCAPED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. I APPLIED TO PORTER HONDA FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN APPLIED TO HONDA MOTOR COMPANY IN AMERICA AND JAPAN. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE NO CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAD BEEN DETERMINED, THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE AND REFUSED ANY COMPENSATION. HONDA MANUFACTURES CARS WITH A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR
Mileage: 13,700
I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 HONDA S2000 IN AUGUST OF 2005. I DROVE THE CAR SUMMERS UNTIL AUGUST 2009 ACCUMULATING 13,700 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY AT PORTER HONDA IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. ON AUGUST 28, 2009 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING IT NEAR MY HOME IN WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS. FLAMES ESCAPED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER CABIN FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ESCAPED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. I APPLIED TO PORTER HONDA FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN APPLIED TO HONDA MOTOR COMPANY IN AMERICA AND JAPAN. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE NO CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAD BEEN DETERMINED, THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE AND REFUSED ANY COMPENSATION. HONDA MANUFACTURES CARS WITH A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR
Mileage: 13,700
I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 HONDA S2000 IN AUGUST OF 2005. I DROVE THE CAR SUMMERS UNTIL AUGUST 2009 ACCUMULATING 13,700 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY AT PORTER HONDA IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. ON AUGUST 28, 2009 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING IT NEAR MY HOME IN WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS. FLAMES ESCAPED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER CABIN FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ESCAPED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. I APPLIED TO PORTER HONDA FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN APPLIED TO HONDA MOTOR COMPANY IN AMERICA AND JAPAN. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE NO CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAD BEEN DETERMINED, THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE AND REFUSED ANY COMPENSATION. HONDA MANUFACTURES CARS WITH A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR
Mileage: 13,700
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA S2000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS THE RPMS INCREASED WHENEVER SHE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD SINCE HER FOOT WAS ON THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. UPDATED 12/9/09 *CN UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB
Mileage: 15,000
HONDA S2000 SOFT TOP TEARS DUE TO FRAME RUBBING AGAINST VINYL. HONDA HAS NOT ADMITTED TO THIS BEING AND ISSUE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THERE CARS FIXED A PART OF WARRANTY. *TR
GEARS GRIND FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT ANY SPEED. THOUGH THIS IS NOT HAPPENING TO ALL HONDA S2000'S AMERICAN HONDA INSISTS THAT IT IS A "CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR" AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE SYNCHROS. PROBABLY BECAUSE IT IS AN 8 HR PROCESS. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE HOOD AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE STARTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTOR DETERMINED THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE HEADLIGHT AREA AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS.
Mileage: 4,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 60MPH ON WET ROADS WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A PATCH OF UNEVEN PAVEMENT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL CRASHING INTO A TREE BACKWARD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH INJURIES. BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE TOOK A REPORT AT THE SCENE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE INSURANCE AGENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CRUISE CONTROL SHOULD NOT BE USED DURING WET CONDITIONS PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND KNOWS OTHERS ARE NOT AWARE AS WELL. THE SALESMAN WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF USING THE CRUISE CONTROL DURING WET CONDITIONS.
Mileage: 3,500
MY CAR POPS OUT OF 6TH GEAR INTERMITTENTLY + TIMES IN 3700MI. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER THEY COULDN'T MIMIC PROBLEM. DEALER TOLD ME TO WAIT TILL PROBLEM GETS WORSE OR BREAKS. THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. *NM
Mileage: 120
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.