Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2006 Honda S2000 with NHTSA between 2007 and 2023.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Honda S2000. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
50% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
89% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2006 Honda S2000
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
325.0%
Median failure at 21,000 miles
Airbags
325.0%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 17,882 mi
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Equipment & Accessories
18.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Suspension
18.3%
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 11,850 mi
Engine & Cooling
18.3%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
555.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
333.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2006 Honda S2000 Convertible
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2007peak 2May 2023
Recalls on the 2006 Honda S2000
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2013207779 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the brake booster may have been manufactured incorrectly and could develop a leak. As such, the booster may be unable to maintain vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed. Loss of brake power assist could occur, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster assembly.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 11,850 milesWest Chester, PACrashFire
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER LEAK RESULTING IN COMPONENT FAILURE AND UNSAFE HANDLING AND BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10240552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesDickerson, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DEER RAN OUT I SWERVED HIT A TREE HEAD ON.
NHTSA complaint #10225598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,764 milesDickerson, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA S2000. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH FOR THE FRONT AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS NECK AND BACK. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,764.
NHTSA complaint #10225624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
King, NC
AIR BAGS
airbag light on , no accident .will take to Honda dealer soon wondered if this is related to tatka airbag problems.
NHTSA complaint #11523414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesLincoln Park, MI
STRUCTURE
A SLIT, ABOUT 1" LONG, APPEARED IN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP REAR QUARTERPANEL. YESTERDAY, I NOTICED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR, IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT, AN INDENTATION, ABOUT TO BECOME ANOTHER SLIT. HONDA DEALER AND CUSTOMER COMPLAINT BOTH NOTIFIED. THEY HAVE NOTHING ON FILE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS. THERE OBVIOUSLY IS AN ISSUE WITH THE RETRACTION MECHANISM DESIGN OR FUNCTION. WEAR ON A RETRACTED CONVERTIBLE TOP , TO THE POINT OF PENETRATION, IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10525827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesWest Hollywood, CA
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10340502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesHouston, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 2006 HONDA S-2000 HAS HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH HIGH COLD START IDLE THAT CAN EXCEED 2500 RPM MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE UNTIL SUFFICIENT TIME HAS ELAPSED FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM UP. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HONDA OF NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, HONDA ARRANGED FOR ME TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALER TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. AFTER THREE DAYS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THEIR POSSESSION, HONDA NOW STATES THAT; THE IDLE SPEED FOR THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL AND NO DEFECTS COULD BE FOUND IN THE CAR. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY SAFE TO OPERATE IF GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME TO WARM UP.
NHTSA complaint #10329325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesHouston, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 2006 HONDA S-2000 HAS HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH HIGH COLD START IDLE THAT CAN EXCEED 2500 RPM MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE UNTIL SUFFICIENT TIME HAS ELAPSED FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM UP. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HONDA OF NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, HONDA ARRANGED FOR ME TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALER TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. AFTER THREE DAYS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THEIR POSSESSION, HONDA NOW STATES THAT; THE IDLE SPEED FOR THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL AND NO DEFECTS COULD BE FOUND IN THE CAR. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY SAFE TO OPERATE IF GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME TO WARM UP.
NHTSA complaint #10329325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesOaklyn, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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 OTHER UNSHIELDED METAL PIECES. UPDATED 07/21/09.
NHTSA complaint #10276521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,850 milesWest Chester, PACrashFire
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER LEAK RESULTING IN COMPONENT FAILURE AND UNSAFE HANDLING AND BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10240552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesDickerson, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DEER RAN OUT I SWERVED HIT A TREE HEAD ON.
NHTSA complaint #10225598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,764 milesDickerson, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA S2000. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH FOR THE FRONT AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS NECK AND BACK. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,764.
NHTSA complaint #10225624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kinnelon, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MECHANICAL CLIP THAT HOLDS FLOOR MAT IN PLACE ON FLOOR BENDS AND DOES NOT HOLD THE FLOOR MAT IN PLACE. THIS CAUSES THE FLOOR MAT TO BECOME LODGED UNDERNEATH THE CLUTCH, BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PEDAL. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER FIXED THIS WITH NO QUESTION. HOWEVER, THE DESIGN OF THE PART TENDS TO BE WEAK AND WILL MOST LIKELY BEND AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10204383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kinnelon, NJ
EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL CLIP THAT HOLDS FLOOR MAT IN PLACE ON FLOOR BENDS AND DOES NOT HOLD THE FLOOR MAT IN PLACE. THIS CAUSES THE FLOOR MAT TO BECOME LODGED UNDERNEATH THE CLUTCH, BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PEDAL. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER FIXED THIS WITH NO QUESTION. HOWEVER, THE DESIGN OF THE PART TENDS TO BE WEAK AND WILL MOST LIKELY BEND AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10204383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesDallas, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN CAR WAS 8 MONTHS OLD WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT, IT BEGAN STALLING. ONLY PREMIUM SHELL GASOLINE WAS EVER PUT IN THIS CAR. INJECTOR CLEANER WAS PUT IN A FEW TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. CAR WAS TAKEN INTO ONE DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD FIRST THAT "SHE MUST NOT BE PUSHING THE CLUTCH IN ALL THE WAY" AT WHICH TIME THEY DID AN EXTENSIVE TESTING OF THE CLUTCH. WE HAD BOTH TOLD THEM THIS WAS NOT CLUTCH RELATED AS THE CAR WOULD ALSO DIE IN NEUTRAL. SO THEN THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN BAD GAS, AT WHICH TIME THEY GAVE IT BACK. THE SECOND TIME THEY DECIDED IT WAS BENT VALVES, WHICH "COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVER DOWNSHIFTING". THIS IS NOT THE CASE, BUT WAS STILL TOLD IT WOULD COST $2600.00 TO FIX, BECAUSE HONDA WOULD NOT WARRANTY IT. SO, I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO AFTER WAITING (NOT ON PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME, JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME)15 MINUTES, AND HAVING DRIVEN 15 MILES ON MY LUNCH HOUR, I WAS RUDELY APPROACHED AND HATEFULLY ASKED "WHAT I WAS THERE FOR". AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION WITH THE CAR, HE SAID "OH, OKAY SO WE'RE TEST THE VALVES AGAIN?" AND "THERE WILL BE AN $85.00 DIAGNOSIS FEE". AT WHICH TIME I SAID FORGET IT AND WALKED OUT. I CALLED HONDA CORPORATION THIS MORNING JUST TO EXPLAIN IT ALL OVER TO THEM AND THEN ASKED WHAT THEY COULD DO TO HELP, I WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT MAKE A DEALERSHIP DO ANYTHING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR HONDA ENGINES BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE IN THE S2000 DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM SO IT DOESN'T APPLY, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. IT STALLS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10193354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
