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2005 Honda S2000

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

15 reports
116,000 miles · Nov 30, 2019
SuspensionCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI #11283010

55,090 miles · Sep 27, 2018
Seats

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 POSITI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11132023

77,500 miles · Aug 29, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

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 ST…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11123306

135,000 miles · Aug 22, 2016
Electrical System

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10897542

144,456 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Air Bags

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 RE…

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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?

NHTSA ODI #10731385

55,000 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

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 DISENG…

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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 COST OF $580. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO SAVE ALL THE PARTS AND RETURN WITH THE CAR. THIS INCIDENT IS TO NO WAY REFLECT ON VIC BAILEY HONDA AS THE CAR WAS NOT PURCHASED THERE, NOR SERVICED THERE ON A ROUTINE BASIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496438

64,000 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Power Train

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10434135

48,000 miles · Dec 21, 2010
Structure

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 CONFIRME…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10371975

13,700 miles · Feb 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10310173

15,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Power Train

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 MANUFACTUR…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10292711

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.