U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Honda S2000: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

15 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

55,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 13 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	1	6.7%
Braking behavior	1	6.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System

Power Train

Power Train:Manual Transmission

Structure

Air Bags

Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Structure: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005

2006

2009

2010

2011

2013

2015

2016

2018

2019

2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10130954 · 2005-08-02 (August 2, 2005)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130954 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149175 · 2006-02-01 (February 1, 2006)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149175 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10158034 · 2006-05-22 (May 22, 2006)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158034 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10159871 · 2006-06-14 (June 14, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159871 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258687 · 2009-02-15 (February 15, 2009)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10258687 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10292711 · 2009-11-18 (November 18, 2009)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292711 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10310173 · 2010-02-13 (February 13, 2010)

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 FIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310173 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10371975 · 2010-12-21 (December 21, 2010)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371975 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

15 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

86.7%Usable mileage13 / 15 records

100.0%Valid incident date15 / 15 records

100.0%Valid filing date15 / 15 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates15 / 15 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	37.5% ODI 10082525 PREMATURE FAILURE OF CONNECTING RODS. *AK Look up ODI 10082525 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	330.0% ODI 10010947 · 26,051 mi I HAVE A ONE-YEAR-OLD HONDA S2000. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEALER FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FACTORY RECALL OF SPARK PLUGS. THE REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED AND I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THERE NOW WAS 80% LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. I WAS INFORMED THAT I CREATED THIS PROBLEM AND THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. I ASKED THE COST AND WAS TOLD I DON'T KNOW. PROBABLY $10,000.00 DOLLARS. I ASKED HOW THAT WAS DETERMINED AND WAS TOLD WE DON'T HAVE … Look up ODI 10010947 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 10081167 · 13,778 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CASE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER GLICH AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. A WEEK LATER ON A TRIP TO TEXAS THE LIGHT RETURNED. WE TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE CLOSEST HONDA DEALER IN TEXAS. THEY CHECKED CAR AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. THE LIGHT STAYED! THEY THEN SAID THAT CYLINDER 2 FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS! THEY TOLD US TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME TO OKLAHOMA AND THEN TAKE IT TO OUR… Look up ODI 10081167 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure	12.5% ODI 10024439 · 11,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10024439 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10042467 VEHICLE HAS A CONVERTIBLE TOP MADE OF PLASTIC REAR GLASS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING GLASS WILL FOG UP IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, CAUSING DRIVER NOT TO SEE CLEARLY. *AK Look up ODI 10042467 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10192090 THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP SEEMS TO HAVE LITTLE HOLES APPEARING THROUGHOUT THE TOP. ALSO CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP ARE ALSO RIPPED DUE TO MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS. *TR Look up ODI 10192090 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10439110 ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PUT MY SOFT TOP DOWN ON MY 2004 HONDA S2000 WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AT THE TIME UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING WITH MY TOP UP AND HEARD A LOT OF WHISPERING SOUNDS. THERE WAS A FINE CUT RIGHT ABOVE THE RELEASE LATCH/HINGE ON MY SOFT TOP. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE HONDA DEALERSHIP OF WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY EXACT PROBLEM FROM THE YEAR FROM 2005 TO 2008 FOR THE HONDA S2000. SEEING THAT I BOUGHT MY CAR USED (FROM THEI… Look up ODI 10439110 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 10258687 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 Look up ODI 10258687 at NHTSA ↗	220.0% ODI 10340502 · 21,000 mi THE CONVERTIBLE TOP ON MY HONDA S2000 HAS RIPPED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE TOP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. UNDER INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION THE TOP WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT WHERE THE FABRIC TOP RUBS AGAINST A SHARP METAL COMPONENT OF THE TOP FRAME CAUSING A TEAR. *TR Look up ODI 10340502 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	25.0% ODI 10089393 · 1,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10089393 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10030500 · 1,500 mi BELOW IS A LIST OF ALL THE FAILURES THAT MY 2001 HONDA S2000 HAS SUSTAINED. THE FIRST BEING THE ONLY ONE THAT HONDA HAS COVERED VIA WARRANTY DESPITE KNOWLEDGEABLENESS OF ISSUES. 1800 MILES - 5TH AND 6TH GEAR SYNCHROS HAD TO BE REPLACED 3000 MILES - CLUTCH FAILURE 8500 MILES - REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE 12000 MILES - SECOND GEAR FAILURE 15000 MILES - ENGINE FAILURE ALL BESIDES THE FIRST WERE DENIED WARRANTY REPAIR FROM WHAT HONDA CALLS "DRIVER ABUSE". HAVING NO PROOF BESIDES THE FACT THAT TIRES I PURCHASED USED SHOWED SOME WEAR. EV… Look up ODI 10030500 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	240.0% ODI 10100068 · 20 mi I HAVE AN 04 HONDA S2000. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES POP OUT OF 1ST OR 2ND GEAR WHEN YOU LET OUT THE CLUTCH. ALMOST LIKE IT WAS NOT IN GEAR TO BEGIN WITH. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE 04 S2000. THE SERVICE ENGINEER THAT WORKS FOR HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HONDA REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA BECAUSE YOU COULD TRY TO ACCELERETE THROUGH A SMALL BREAK IN TRAFFIC, MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND DRIFT RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH THE ENGINE REVVING AND NO ACCELERATION AND GET KILLED.*AK… Look up ODI 10100068 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 10130954 · 120 mi 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 Look up ODI 10130954 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars	512.5% ODI 10090218 · 37,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10090218 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10276521 · 16,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA S2000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL LINK ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS PLACED DIRECTLY OVER HIS SKULL. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, HIS HEAD WOULD STRIKE THE METAL LINK AND CAUSE INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IF THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A HARD TOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,000. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS A PROTRUDING METAL JOINT AND O… Look up ODI 10276521 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	25.0% ODI 10172619 · 45,000 mi 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… Look up ODI 10172619 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10172485 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 REP… Look up ODI 10172485 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 10310173 · 13,700 mi 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 FIL… Look up ODI 10310173 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Steering	12.5% ODI 11338343 · 79,520 mi 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 TH… Look up ODI 11338343 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10308641 · 123,000 mi 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 W… Look up ODI 10308641 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11129669 · 33,000 mi INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING AT START UP AND WHILE DRIVING Look up ODI 11129669 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear	512.5% ODI 10005612 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. Look up ODI 10005612 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	12.5% ODI 11298166 YOUR WEB SITE DOES NOT SEARCH THE VIN. VIN IS CORRECT. WEB SITE IS UNRESPONSIVE Look up ODI 11298166 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10334453 · 97,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA S2000. THE CONTACT STATED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AROUND A CURVE. THE REAR TIRES WOULD NOT GRIP THE ROADWAY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD INTO A NEARBY FOREST. THE VEHICLE CRASHED WITH AN UNKNOWN OBJECT AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LUNG INJURY, BROKEN RIBS AND CONTUSIONS. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ON SCENE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. TH… Look up ODI 10334453 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 10731385 · 144,456 mi 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? Look up ODI 10731385 at NHTSA ↗	110.0% ODI 11523414 airbag light on , no accident .will take to Honda dealer soon wondered if this is related to tatka airbag problems. Look up ODI 11523414 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	74,350 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10310173 · 13,700 mi 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 FIL… Look up ODI 10310173 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10897542 · 135,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10897542 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	64,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10434135 · 64,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10434135 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Manual Transmission	Too few reports for a range	7,560 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10130954 · 120 mi 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 Look up ODI 10130954 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10292711 · 15,000 mi TLTHE 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 Look up ODI 10292711 at NHTSA ↗
Structure	Too few reports for a range	48,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10371975 · 48,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10371975 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	144,456 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10731385 · 144,456 mi 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? Look up ODI 10731385 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	77,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11123306 · 77,500 mi 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. Look up ODI 11123306 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	13,700 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10310173 · 13,700 mi 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 FIL… Look up ODI 10310173 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	Too few reports for a range	4,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10158034 · 4,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10158034 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2007: 2 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	1	2	2
2008	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	3	0	0
2008	3	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Power Train	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Structure	Air Bags	Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling	Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Electrical System	—	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10310173 · 13,700 mi 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 FIL… Look up ODI 10310173 at NHTSA ↗	0
Power Train	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Manual Transmission	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Structure	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	1 ODI 10310173 · 13,700 mi 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 FIL… Look up ODI 10310173 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 13.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 66,250 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10496438 · 55,000 mi

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 S…

Look up ODI 10496438 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11123306 · 77,500 mi

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.

Look up ODI 11123306 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 6.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 55,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10496438 · 55,000 mi

Look up ODI 10496438 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 6.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 15,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10292711 · 15,000 mi

Look up ODI 10292711 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b