2005 Honda S2000: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2005 Honda S2000? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 15 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2005 Honda S2000 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2005 Honda S2000.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2005 Honda S2000 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2005 Honda S2000 has 15 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- S2000
- Model year
- 2005
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 15
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 23
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Most Common 2005 Honda S2000 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2005 Honda S2000?
The 2005 Honda S2000 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2005 Honda S2000
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission and drivetrain components for signs of wear or failure.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls (none currently for 2005 S2000).
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported problem areas.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission and drivetrain components for signs of wear or failure.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls (none currently for 2005 S2000).
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported problem areas.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or shifting issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2005 Honda S2000, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints for the 2005 Honda S2000, issues appear concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain, with a few reports of engine, electrical, and unintended acceleration problems. Crash-related complaints are limited, and there are no recalls for this model year. However, the low complaint volume and single-year data limit confidence in these patterns.
- Transmission/drivetrain accounts for the highest number of complaints (4 out of 15).
- Engine problems, electrical faults, unintended acceleration, and structural problems each have 2 complaints.
- Only 2 crash-related complaints were reported.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues are the most frequently reported component.
- Engine Problems and Electrical Faults each appear in 2 complaints.
- Unintended Acceleration and Structural Problems also each have 2 complaints.
All 2005 Honda S2000 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Honda S2000. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Honda S2000. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.
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 AD…
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…
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 …
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 IN…
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 NOR…
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 AW…
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 RES…
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 …
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 BE…
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 COMPA…
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…
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
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Honda S2000.
2005 Honda S2000 Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Honda S2000. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2005 Honda S2000 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2005 Honda S2000 reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 15 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2005 Honda S2000 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda S2000?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (4 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (2 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (2 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Honda S2000?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2005 Honda S2000?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2005 Honda S2000, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 15 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2005 Honda S2000 have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2005 Honda S2000 in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2005 Honda S2000?▾
The 2005 Honda S2000 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda S2000 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2005 Honda S2000 based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.