2005 Honda S2000 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026
Ranks 6th of 8 S2000 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 15
- Per 10,000 cars
- 16.8
- 8,919 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.67×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 8
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 0
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating before 2011
Should You Buy the 2005 Honda S2000?
Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2005 Honda S2000 is 77 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 6th of the 8 S2000 years we score.
The most reported problem is the manual transmission or clutch, mostly jumps out of gear (3 of 15 complaints). Owners also complain about the convertible top. 8 of the 15 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has no recalls. For comparison, the 2004 scores 90 and the 2006 scores 76.
Before you buy, get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Good reliability score of 77
- Fewer problems than the average car its age
- No recalls
Cons
- Manual transmission or clutch: jumps out of gear3 complaints
- Convertible top: damage2 complaints
How the 2005 S2000 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems8 complaints · average car: about 11 | 0.76× | −15 |
| Everyday problems7 complaints · average car: about 17 | 0.45× | −5 |
| Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: about 0.1 | Not counted | – |
| Recalls0 recalls · average car: about 3.2 | 0.41× | −3 |
| Score | 77 |
The last two years are not counted for the 2005 S2000. Honda made 8,919 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 0.2 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.
Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.
What Owners Report
We read all 15 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Honda S2000, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 15.
Manual transmission or clutch: jumps out of gear
3 complaints (20%)
Jumps out of gear and harsh or delayed shifts. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Convertible top: damage
2 complaints (13%)
Damage.
Reported Once (13)
Show the 13 problems reported once
- Airbag warning light
- Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
- Engine: surging
- Engine failure: locking up
- Frontal airbags: fault code
- Headlights: a fire
- Loss of power (cause not stated)
- Cruise control switch and cable reel: sudden acceleration
- Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Seats: shattering or cracking
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Warning lights (cause not stated)
How the 2005 Honda S2000 Compares With Other Years
Every S2000 year is here: the S2000 was made in one generation, 2000 to 2009.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Not scored | – | – | 0.0 | 0 | – |
| 2008 | Not scored | – | – | 11.6 | 0 | – |
| 2007 | Excellent | 85 | 0.31× | 6.1 | 1 | – |
| 2006 | Good | 76 | 0.62× | 17.7 | 2 | Convertible top: damage |
| 2005 This year | Good | 77 | 0.67× | 16.8 | 0 | Manual transmission or clutch: jumps out of gear |
| 2004 | Excellent | 90 | 0.22× | 6.7 | 0 | Manual transmission or clutch: jumps out of gear |
| 2003 | Excellent | 80 | 0.50× | 10.2 | 0 | Engine failure |
| 2002 | Excellent | 82 | 0.43× | 10.0 | 0 | Engine failure: parts breaking or coming apart |
| 2001 | Excellent | 82 | 0.44× | 13.1 | 0 | Manual transmission or clutch failure |
| 2000 | Caution | 69 | 1.1× | 35.0 | 3 | Convertible top: rear window clouded or yellowed |
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA gave the 2005 S2000 no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2005 S2000 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
Convertible
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2005 S2000, from the problems owners report most.
On the Test Drive
- Check that the clutch engages smoothly and every gear goes in without grinding.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Manual transmission or clutch
- Convertible top
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next