2003 Honda S2000 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Honda S2000 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2003 Honda S2000. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and steering (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 86% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 27 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling4 50%
- Brakes1 13%
- Steering1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
- Tires1 13%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Same as everyone else vehicle thoroughly maintained lost valve in cylinder 3.I was told by the dealer that vehicle was over revved. I was at a constant speed on the high way with a state trooper in front of me so there went the over revved theory that they seem to like presenting everyone. So if some one could tell me why Honda is screwing everybody over with their warranty claim I would appreciate it,since the dealer wants to put a motor in the car for 11k.p.s. …”
NHTSA complaint #10190809, filed 2007-05, 50,500 milesBrakes: “While braking vehicle pulled to the right, causing the consumer to hit a guard rail. Consumer had the vehicle towed to dealership , but dealership did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10071656, filed 2004-04, 13,000 milesSteering: “The contact stated the steering column locked causing an accident. Prior to the accident the steering column locked twice for about three seconds each time. Three minutes later, while entering a curve, the steering column locked and the contact lost control of the vehicle, and it hit a concrete barricade on the left side , causing the vehicle to bounce back onto the road and hitting the concrete barricade a second time. The vehicle sustained damage to the left side quarter panel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146755, filed 2006-01, 18,000 milesBody and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10192090, filed 2007-05Mileage when problems were reported
86% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,741 and 23,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Honda S2000. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2000 · C | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Honda S2000 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2000 RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Honda S2000 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 27 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186009Jan 23, 2021Equipment. "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
- 10128531Aug 6, 2014Air bags. Dealer 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…
- 10128559Jul 23, 2014Air bags. Dealer 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…
- 10053545Aug 9, 2013Engine cooling, Fuel system. Honda: 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.
- 10025523May 31, 2008Equipment. Load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles.
- 10032953May 9, 2008Electrical system. Honda: 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…
- 10018868Dec 16, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting.
- 10018471Sep 1, 2005Engine cooling. Engine oil cooler center bolt torque spec.
- 10016342Apr 1, 2005Engine cooling. Engine falters, no power, won't rev over 7,000 rpm. Honda servicenews.
- 10014737Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Creak of grunt from rear of vehicle at low speeds.
Other model years of the Honda S2000
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 10 | 19,500 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 15 | 55,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 5 | 25,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 8 | 18,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 10 | 26,051 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 13 | 45,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 40 | 38,500 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Honda S2000 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2003 Honda S2000 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Honda S2000 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 2003 Honda S2000 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Honda S2000 get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Honda S2000 (S2000, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Honda S2000 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,000 miles and the middle half falls between 14,741 and 23,000 miles; 86% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.