2002 Honda S2000

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Engine and engine cooling7
2. Air bags1
3. Suspension1
4. Tires1
5. Vehicle speed control1

Latest complaints

• Jun 3, 2010GA97,000 miCrash2 injuries
  Air bags
  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…

  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. The failure and current mileages were 97,000.

• Jan 31, 2006FL39,000 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine
  2002 honda s2000 engine shut off while driving due to sludge in the engine. *ts neither the dealer, manufacturer or the extended warranty would cover the cost of repair. four weeks prior to the failure the engine shut down. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the problem as a…

  2002 honda s2000 engine shut off while driving due to sludge in the engine. *ts neither the dealer, manufacturer or the extended warranty would cover the cost of repair. four weeks prior to the failure the engine shut down. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the problem as a weak battery and replaced it along with the spark plugs. after that repair the dealer stated everything was fine. upon the consumer's request the dealer did a further break down of the engine and determined that the engine lock up was caused by a mechanical breakdown of a worn out thrust washer. *nm

• Apr 6, 2005AE16,000 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
  (1) no known events leading up to first failure. Second failure, IS due to an unexplained oil loss. No oil trails are viable from / on the engine, nor are there puddles present in the driveway. Last oil change was less the 10 days prior to the crank bearing failure. Oil level verified good by owner…

  (1) no known events leading up to first failure. Second failure, IS due to an unexplained oil loss. No oil trails are viable from / on the engine, nor are there puddles present in the driveway. Last oil change was less the 10 days prior to the crank bearing failure. Oil level verified good by owner prior to leaving service station and at no time did the engine warning light come on. (2) "first failure", head damage due to misaligned valve and loss of compression on cylinder #3. Second failure, short-block damage due to oil loss and subsequent bearing damage. Failure confirmed off cylinder # 3, with stethoscope. (3) rebuilt the head unit at 6 months worth of my time, and at a cost of $3,500. Currently waiting have the short block replaced to correct its bearing failure, at an est. Cost of $8,000. All of this has been done with out assistance from honda, despite my best efforts in repeatedly asking for their assistance / compensation. Honda and their dealers do their best to delay, ignore, refute all claims in the hopes that I'll just go away. I have read similar posts about engine failures for the SK2, all having a similar failure on cylinder # 3, and all getting the same response / treatment from honda: "that the customer created this problem" or "despite the fact it's under warranty, it's your fault the engine failed, and hence we will not cover the cost of repairs" either honda IS unaware of what's going on with its dealers (which seriously I doubt), or it doesn't care. Regardless, its service dealers are running amok, making upwards of 3 to 8 thousand dollars a vehicle. *ak

• Sep 16, 2004VA28,948 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine
  Purchased a honda s2000 in august, 2002. it had to be taken in for repairs august 16, 2003. the car was served by honda of mentor in mentor, ohio. damage was to the cylinder head and engine block. a new engine assembly with head was required given internal damage to the pistons/valves. honda…

  Purchased a honda s2000 in august, 2002. it had to be taken in for repairs august 16, 2003. the car was served by honda of mentor in mentor, ohio. damage was to the cylinder head and engine block. a new engine assembly with head was required given internal damage to the pistons/valves. honda refused coverage under the 36/36,000 factory warranty. I had also purchased an extended warranty through cna national warranty corporation and they denied because "the manufacturer...voided or rescinded the factory warranty." there was 28,948 miles on it. honda insisted the damage was how driven/maintained. I installed a used engine (with 3,500 miles) & the repairs were completed 9/29/03 by honda of mentor at a $6,400 cost to me. march 25, 2004, the car taken in because the engine making a loud noise. the vehicle was taken to rick case honda in euclid, ohio. there was damage to the bearings and block (#2 and #3 connecting rod bearings were welded to the journals). the replacement engine had gone 9,540 miles when it failed. [honda of mentor's invoice-mileage when received at 28,948. rick case honda's invoice - mileage at 38,488 miles; a difference of 9,540 miles.] this vehicle has had 2 engine failures in 1 1/2 years. both due I believe to problems in the car not how it was driven/maintained. the initial factory warranty in august, 2002, was 36/36,000 and I purchased the extended warranty. the 1ST malfunction occurred august, 2003, at 28,948 miles. the replacement engine was installed september, 2003, had a 12/12,000 limited warranty. it malfunctioned march 25, 2004, after 9,540 miles. I believe there IS a problem with this vehicle which causes the engines to malfunction. I am copying american honda and cna insurance. *jb

• Sep 8, 2004FLCrash1 injury
  Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal

  While driving 44 mph vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and it crashed into a cement barrier. driver to sustained minor injuries. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. *ak

• Jul 31, 2003FL15,460 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

  #4 conecting rod broke. *ph

• Jun 5, 2003PA
  Tires › Tread/belt
  My honda s2000, which was purchased new in june of 2002 came with bridgestone potenza SO-2 tires front and rear. This vehicle IS used as a third vehicle in a two driver household, and IS used only as a daily commuter car to travel 15 miles to work (round trip). I took the vehicle in for my state…

  My honda s2000, which was purchased new in june of 2002 came with bridgestone potenza SO-2 tires front and rear. This vehicle IS used as a third vehicle in a two driver household, and IS used only as a daily commuter car to travel 15 miles to work (round trip). I took the vehicle in for my state inspection, and at 6100 miles, the rear tires were down below 2/32 of tread depth and the front tires were feathered badly on the inside edges (both) and tread was below 5/32 of depth. I have seen many posts of people with these tires who have had tread life well below 10K miles under lite driving conditions, while others claim up to 20K, even under heavy conditions. The tires were unacceptable in the rain after about 4000 miles on it as the rear would fishtail even under the lightest of cornering. I have brought this to the attention of honda and bridgestone/fireston, and no one seems to want to fess up to a possible problem with certain batches of the tire having too soft a compund, or design spec issues. This IS a serious potential problem. If I had driven the vehicle more often, I would have run the risk of having a tire problem (blowout or loss of control) due to unacceptable tire wear on the drive wheels. *Ak

• Mar 24, 2003NJ26,051 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine
  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…

  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 to tell you that. I complained and was informed that a district service manager determined over the phone that I caused the problem. I asked if a rental would be provided in accordance with my extended warranty. I was told no this IS your fault. I contacted american honda customer service (800) 999-1009. I spoke with mike bogan at ext 118142. he informed me, he would get the answers. I waited two days with no response. I got a voice mail saying that the dealer determined it was my fault and honda would not cover the repair or rental. I complained then about the language used by tech # 702 at clinton honda. he informed me that he does not like doctors and since his wife lost a lawsuit by a doctor that he wouldn't authorize any repairs for my car since I am a doctor. *jb

• Jan 22, 2003AL4,100 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
  I own a 3 month old honda s2000 that has a defective engine that honda refuses to fix. I was told that I may have abused the car and honda would cover part of the repair. I was doing research of the internet and found many of these limited production cars with defective engines and most owners have…

  I own a 3 month old honda s2000 that has a defective engine that honda refuses to fix. I was told that I may have abused the car and honda would cover part of the repair. I was doing research of the internet and found many of these limited production cars with defective engines and most owners have been challenged and asked to pay some or all of the repair bill. Several of the owners and myself are having to hire attorneys to try to make honda fix these cars and rent cars in the mean time. Honda will not discuss or return calls with any of us. Honda has told eachof us that the decision IS final! I can provide names of others if needed

• Jan 13, 2003CA
  Suspension › Rear

  Consumer stated while driving, there was a loud noise coming from the rear suspension.*jb

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10186009"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
• 10128559Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, American Honda will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.
• 10128531Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
• 10053545Honda: troubleshooting of diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p1456 and p1457. Dealers are to run evap function test to find if there IS a leak so the vehicle can be repaired.
• 10032953Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. Class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. Federal court provided final approval of settlement on 12/29/07. No models listed.
• 10025523Load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles.
• 10018868Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting.
• 10018471Engine oil cooler center bolt torque spec.
• 10018085Rear axle creak or grunt noise at low speeds.
• 10017042Intermittent hesitation during hard acceleration.
• 10016342Engine falters, no power, won't rev over 7,000 rpm. Honda servicenews.
• 10014737Creak of grunt from rear of vehicle at low speeds.
• 10014480Xm radio error messages.
• 10014479Headrest speaker installation.
• 10014232Grunt noise after sitting for several hours.
• 100142302ND to 5TH or 3RD to 5TH gear upshift.
• 10014228Grinds at upshift when cold.
• 10014220Honda diagnostic system locked, needs immobilizer release password.
• 10014106Poor radio reception, seek-stop test.
• 10014057Pop noise at front upper control arm mount.
• 10013953Audio unit and navigation system anti-theft codes available on interactive network.
• 10013808Srs warning on after body shop repair. Honda tech line summary.
• 10013805Odometer accuracy. Honda tech line summary.
• 10013779Anti-lock braking system (ABS) or tcs diagnostic trouble code (dtc) 51 and/or 53 troubleshooting. Honda tech line summary.
• 10013762Differential oil recommendation. Honda tech line summary.
• 10013339Popping sound from upper control arm mount.
• 10011094Fuel fill cap binds and possible malfunction indicator lamp comes on with diagnostic trouble code p1456. This bulletin supersedes 04-002, dated 02/30/04.
• 10009278Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse. Honda. Servicenews.
• 10009144Clean modulator pump motor ground for diagnostic trouble code 51/53. Honda. Servicenews.
• 10009143Minimize warranty claims for headlight adjustment. Honda. Servicenews.
• 10009140Speedo/odo read excessive speed and distance. Honda. Servicenews.
• 10009048Audio, anti-theft codes. Honda. Tech line summary.
• 10009026S2000 engine, replacement part numbers. Honda. Servicenews. April 2004.
• 10009018Srs indicator on after body shop repair. Check for srs diagnostic trouble codes. Honda servicenews. April 2004.
• 10005929Clearing anti-lock brake system (ABS) diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). Honda october tech line information.
• 10005927Grunt noise when accelerating after sitting. Honda october tech line information. 2002 prelude also included.
• 10005918Never rotate tires. Honda servicenews.
• 10005871Anti-lock brake system (ABS) grunts when doing a self-check.
• 10005021Hard to engage 1ST gear, grinds into reverse. Tech line summary.
• 10004970Manual transmission hard to shift into 1ST gear, grinds into reverse. Honda servicenews.

Every Honda S2000 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.