2000 Honda S2000

Routine

Owners filed 40 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the headlights. It has been recalled 3 times.

Most common 2000 Honda S2000 problems

8 of the 40 complaints (20%) are about the headlights.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear5
000
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights · headlights4
000
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars · body and frame3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine3
000
Visibility2
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights · headlights2
000
Electrical System2
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags2
202
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights04V257000
Filed Jun 1, 20047,067 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

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.

Risk. 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor00V316000
Filed Oct 10, 20009,147 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.

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.

Risk. 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage00V016000
Filed Jan 24, 20004,930 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.

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.

Risk. 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.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
SuspensionCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 9, 202079,520 milesSC

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 2020PA

YOUR WEB SITE DOES NOT SEARCH THE VIN. VIN IS CORRECT. WEB SITE IS UNRESPONSIVE

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 8, 200982,000 milesFL

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 10, 200827,000 milesWV

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 200645,000 milesGA

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Oct 21, 200642,000 milesGA

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

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Dec 19, 200422,000 milesCA

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

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Sep 1, 200437,000 milesLA

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

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 20041,500 milesCT

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

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Aug 19, 2004SC

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

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Aug 14, 2004PA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2004PA

PREMATURE FAILURE OF CONNECTING RODS. *AK

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 15, 2004TN

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT MADE A NOISE WHILE BEING RETRACTED. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. *AK *JB

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed May 29, 200457,000 milesMD

I HAVE A 2000 MODEL S2000 AND THE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FADED FROM RED TO WHITE ON THE CORNERS OF THE TAIL LIGHTS. THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED QUICKLY AND EASILY. I WILL CONTACT A DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN REPLACE THE TAILLIGHTS FREE OF CHARGE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM FOR ANYONE WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED TWO HONDA PRELUDES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED AND DID NOT EXPECT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ON ONE OF THE BEST CARS HONDA MAKES PRICED 10K MORE THAN MY OTHER HONDAS. *LA

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 20, 200463,000 milesCA

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 28, 200432,000 milesNC

HONDA F20C S2000 #4 CYLINDER FAILURE , AHM DID NOT COVER THIS UNDER MY WARRANTY.*AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jan 6, 2004NJ

THE VINYL REAR WINDOW ON MY 2000 S2000 HAS FADED I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RUN-INS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND AREA REP YOU CANNOT SEE OUT OF IT, IT HAS TURNED MILKY WHITE MAKING IT A VISUAL HAZARD SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE THRU IT ALSO MAKING THAT M.V. WILL FAIL IT FOR INSPECTION, I HAVE USED ALL THE RECOMMEDED CLEANERS AS WELL AS A BOOT THEY RECOMMENED. I HAD ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AUTOMOBILE AND GOT A NICE DEAR JOHN LETTER WITH NO SATISFACTION CASE # NO2003-11-1900869, AFTER SOME INQUIRING BYOU CAN BUY A NEW TOP WITH A GLASS BACK WINDOW FROM HONDA AND HAVE IT INSTALLED FOR A MERE $1600.00 BUT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT A VISUAL HAZARD CONDITION, IS THIS WHAT HONDA HAS COME TO. UNHAPPILY WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Dec 16, 200327,000 milesTX

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

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Dec 16, 200340,000 milesTX

BOTH TAILLIGHT ARE FADING FROM A RED COLOR TO A PALE PINK, ALMOST WHITE. I HAVE KEPT THIS CAR VERY CLEAN AND UNDER A UV PROTECTIVE COVER AT ALL TIMES. THE CAR IS ALSO DRIVEN ONLY ON WEEKENDS. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Sep 30, 200355,000 milesCA

TAIL LIGHT LENSES FADING FROM RED TO PINK WITHIN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. POLICE WARNING - STATING MODIFIED LIGHTING SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Sep 29, 200333,000 milesFL

SIDE OF RED TAIL LIGHTS IS PINKISH WHITE DUE TO UV EXPOSURE AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS. TAIL LIGHTS ARE TO BE RED IN ORDER TO BE RECOGNIZABLE AS SUCH, AND NOT LIGHT PINK.

Structure
Filed Jul 18, 200311,000 milesMD

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN THE RAIN IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON ICE. IF THERE WAS ANY DIP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS, CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, THE DEALER BLAMED THE TIRES, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER BLAMED THE CAR MANUFACTURER P02ENZAS-02 ONLY 11000 MILES ON THE TIRES. *AK *CB *JB

Visibility
Filed Jul 8, 2003NY

THE VEHICLES REAR WINDOW IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. *AK *CB *NLM

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Feb 10, 2003CA

REAR PLASTIC WINDOW BECOMES WRINKLED AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE AS A WINDOW BECAUSE IT IS TOO FOGGY TO SEE YOU OF. THIS MAKES FOR A VERY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS DRIVING.

Visibility
Filed Feb 3, 2003CA

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, THERE IS NO OUTWARD VISIBILITY THROUGH THE OEM PLASTIC REAR WINDOW.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE MAIN BEARINGS IN ENGINE FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW ON 06-28-02. ORIGINAL ENGINE HAD 35,600 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER REPLACED ENGINE AND INCIDENT OCCURED AGAIN ON 9-8-02 WITH 27K MILES ON REPLACEMENT ENGINE.. TS

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Aug 28, 2002AL

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONG TERM SERVICE AND SAFETY ISSUE OF THE REAR PLASTIC WINDOW INSTALLED WITHIN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE CONCERNS ARE, ROUTINE OPERATION OF THE CONVERTABLE TOP WHICH PUTS SCRATCHES IN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE REAR PLASTIC WINDOW ALONG WITH CREASES AND DIMPLES WHICH DISTORT REAR VISION,(THERE ARE NO PROVISIONS TO PREVENT DUE TO THE DESIGN), WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS LOWERED AND& STORED, THE REAR PLASTIC WINDOW WRINKLES WHEN IT FOLDS(WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE)REARWARD VISION BECOMES DISTORTED, AND CONTRIBUTES TO A GROSS SAFETY HAZARD, THE PLASTIC INTERIOR RELEASES GASEOUS HYDROCARBONS AND DEPOSITS A TRANSLUCENT FILM ON THE INSIDE OF REAR PLASTIC WINDOW WHICH MAKES IT CLOUDY AND DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH. *SCC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 24, 2002NC

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

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Apr 9, 2002NY

THE VEHICLE HAS A CONVERTIBLE TOP. WHEN TOP RETURNS BACK UP REAR WINDOW BECOMES WRINKLED. CONSUMER CANNOT SEE OUT OF WINDOW. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jan 22, 2002PA

WHEN CONSUMER TAKES FOOT OFF THE BRAKE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS. ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Nov 5, 2001TX

TRANSMISSION GRINDS AT ANY SPEED WHEN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR, THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS AND IS NOISY. *YD

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 13, 2001VA

DELAYED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT (INFLATED AFTER 2 SECONDS), UPON HITTING A TREE.*AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jun 7, 2001CA

REAR GLASS HAS A PERMANENT GLARE WHEN HE TURNS CONVERTIBLE TOP, AND MISOPERATION OF WINDOW CAUSES DOUBLE VISION. *AK

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 2001CA

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

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Oct 26, 2000CA

CONVERTIBLE TOP REAR PLASTIC GLASS IS DISTORTED AND CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY. ALSO, UNABLE TO GET A GLASS REPLACMENT AT CONSUMER'S OWN COST. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND NEITHER ARE TRYING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM; SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Sep 20, 2000SC

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

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 11, 2000ME

RECALL 00V016000. THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 9, 2000CT

THE PLASTIC REAR WINDOW ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WRINKLES AND CREASES WHEN THE TOP IS LOWERED. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT CAR HEADLIGHTS ARE DISTORTED DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THE DISTORTION CAUSES THE HEADLIGTHS TO SHOW AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN BACK OF YOU. IT COULD BE ONLY ONE, BUT APPEARS TO BE MANY DUE TO THE DISTORTION THROUGH THE WRINKLES IN THE PLASTIC REAR VIEW WINDOW. I WAS ALMOST HIT BECAUSE IT APPEARED THAT ONE CAR WAS BEHIND ME, WHEN IN FACT THERE WERE MANY-ANS AS I PULLED OUT, I WAS ALMOST SIDESWIPED. THERE WAS NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN THE NUMBER OF CARS BEHIND ME DUE TO THE DISTORTION. DURING DAYLIGHT, IT IS A DISTRACTION BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS DISTORTED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LADY (JOYCE FARR) FROM HONDA TOLD ME TO PUT 170 DEGREE F WATER ON THE PLASTIC WINDOW TO GET THE WRINKLES/CREASES OUT. (?!) I DO NOT USUALLY CARRY HOT WATER AROUND WITH ME. ANOTHER "FIX" IS TO BUY A "TUBE" AND ROLL THE WINDOW HALFWAY DOWN, THEN GET OUT OF THE CAR, PLACE THE TUBE ON THE WINDOW, GET BACK IN THE CAR, AND FINISH LOWERING THE TOP. REVERSE THIS PROCEDURE TO PUT THE TOP UP. FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S NO PLACE TO CARRY A TUBE IN THIS 2-SEATER SPORT CAR, AND SECOND, IF YOU PUT THE TOP UP AND FORGET TO REMOVE THE TUBE (LIKE WHEN IT'S RAINING AND YOU PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO PUT THE TOP UP), THE TUBE WILL GET THROWN IN THE ROAD TO CREATE A TRAFFIC HAZARD. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZARD, AND AM REPORTING IT AS SUCH. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Apr 25, 2000MA

NHTSA RECALL 00V016000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00V016000/ SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. DEALER IS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING THE PARTS FROM MANUFACTURER.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 5, 2000GA

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER THAN PRESCRIBED HIGHWAY SPEED ANOTHER CAR CUT IN FRONT. HONDA EITHER SWERVED TO MISS THE CAR, OR THE OTHER VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD, AND THEN CAME BACK AND HIT THE HONDA. HONDA WAS AIRBOURNE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH CONTRITION TO THE LEFT LUNGS/ RUPTURED SPLEEN, AND BROKE TOP COLLAR BONE AND TWO RIBS. *AK

All 40 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20083000Routine
20073100Routine
200610210Routine
200515020Routine
20045000Routine
20038000Routine
200210000Routine
200113010Routine
2000 — this page40300Routine

Compare every S2000 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 1, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.