2004 Honda S2000 problems
The Honda S2000 is a front-mid engine open top sports car that was manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda, from 1999 until 2009. First shown as a concept car called the SSM at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, the production version was launched on April 15, 1999, to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The S2000 is named for its engine displacement of two litres, while "S" stood for "sports" carrying on in the tradition of the S500, S600, and S800 roadsters of the 1960s.
Several revisions were made throughout the car's production life, including changes to the engine, gearbox, suspension, interior and exterior. Officially two variants exist: the initial launch model was given the chassis code AP1; though cosmetically similar, the facelifted version, known as the AP2 in North America and Japan, incorporated significant changes to the drivetrain and suspension. Production of the S2000 ceased on August 19, 2009.
The Honda S2000 was notable for its exceptional specific power output of about 124 hp per litre, or about two horsepower per cubic inch, the highest of any mass production, naturally aspirated engined car, until 2010.
The S2000 has since become a legitimate modern classic car, having seen a significant appreciation in price for valued examples in good condition. In the JDM community and the car community as a whole, the most sought-after models are special edition productions such as the CR (Club Racer) in the USA market; the standard AP1 and AP2 models have achieved collectible status as well.
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Common 2004 Honda S2000 problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Honda S2000 2004 model, several common problems have been reported:
- Excessive Gear Grinding: Owners have experienced issues with excessive gear grinding in the 2004 Honda S2000. This problem can lead to difficulty in shifting gears smoothly, affecting the overall driving experience and potentially causing damage to the transmission system.
- Excessive Noise from Wheel Bearings: Another common problem reported by owners is excessive noise coming from the wheel bearings. This issue can result in a loud, persistent noise while driving, indicating potential wear or damage to the wheel bearings that may require replacement to ensure safe operation of the vehicle.
- Engine Misfiring: Engine misfiring is a significant concern raised by owners of the 2004 Honda S2000. Misfiring can lead to poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and potential damage to engine components if not addressed promptly. Identifying and resolving the root cause of the misfiring is crucial to maintain the engine's reliability.
These issues can impact the overall performance, safety, and reliability of the Honda S2000 2004 model. Regular maintenance, timely repairs, and addressing these common problems promptly can help owners ensure the longevity and optimal functioning of their vehicles.
What is the common issue with S2000?
As idle / hesitation / kangerooing / misfire problems and misfires seem to be a common problem on the S2000, and indeed on most cars, I thought I would construct a thread to aid people in diagnosing their problems.
Is the S2000 a reliable car?
According to redriven.com, the S2000 has superb reliability, as is typical of the Honda name. You will find excellent scores for the Honda S2000. It's an incredible choice for those who want a speedy vehicle, and the Honda S2000 is a race car. It's generally a dependable option.
Which Honda S2000 is best year?
We'd lean toward well-maintained second-gen models with their improved low-end torque and refined suspension, though there's undeniable joy in revving an early S2000 to its 8900-rpm redline. Of the early cars, the 2002–03 examples are the best, with their transmission and interior upgrades and a glass rear window.
How long do S2000 engines last?
The reliability of the Honda S2000 is in a class of its own, it has the best reliability despite being classified as a race car, and it is capable of driving 300,000+ miles in its lifetime with minimum maintenances, the only maintenance it needs regularly is the oil change every 6000 miles.
2004 Honda S2000 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda S2000 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Structure problems
- Visibility problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2004 Honda S2000 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2004 Honda S2000 complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2004 Honda S2000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-01
- VIN: JHMAP21444S
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT. I KNOW THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM, BUT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE HONDA S2000 COMMUNITY. THE METAL (GEARS) IN THE HOUSING BEGIN TO BREAK APART. ALL IT TAKES IS A CHUNK OF THAT METAL TO LODGE IN TO THE WRONG GEAR AND YOUR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND IT DOESN'T CARE IF YOU ARE DOING 30 MPH OR 90 MPH. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OR EVEN DEADLY. MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 130K MILES ON IT. I WAS TAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A DEAD STOP/STOP SIGN WHEN MINE FAILED, FORTUNATELY. AGAIN. THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THESE (DIFFERENTIALS) TO FAIL. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF OF THE BUSY ROAD AND ON TO A RESIDENTIAL ROAD. IT HASN'T DROVE SINCE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THE RIGT TURN I WAS MAKING WAS AT THE END OF A CURVE MAKING VISIBILITY OF MY BEING THERE VERY LOW. AGAIN. GOOD THING I WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT IN TO A U-TURN AND BACK TO THE RESIDENTIAL ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-01-01
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PUT MY SOFT TOP DOWN ON MY 2004 HONDA S2000 WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AT THE TIME UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING WITH MY TOP UP AND HEARD A LOT OF WHISPERING SOUNDS. THERE WAS A FINE CUT RIGHT ABOVE THE RELEASE LATCH/HINGE ON MY SOFT TOP. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE HONDA DEALERSHIP OF WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY EXACT PROBLEM FROM THE YEAR FROM 2005 TO 2008 FOR THE HONDA S2000. SEEING THAT I BOUGHT MY CAR USED (FROM THEIR LOT), OUT OF WARRANTY, AND NOT WITHIN THE YEARS THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS FOR, THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME OVER $2500 TO REPLACE THE TOP FOR A DEFECT THAT WAS ON THE CAR. I AM PROVIDING THE HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER FOR YOUR RECORDS: 09-033. HONDA CAN PULL UP THAT SERVICE BULLETIN AND THERE IT WILL EXPLAIN THE ISSUES AND WHAT ACTIONS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN PLACE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CAR OWNERS WITH HIS CAR THAT HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES AND WAS FORCE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED! *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-11-02
- VIN: JHMAP21404T
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-02-01
- VIN: JHMAP21474T
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I HAVE AN 04 HONDA S2000. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES POP OUT OF 1ST OR 2ND GEAR WHEN YOU LET OUT THE CLUTCH. ALMOST LIKE IT WAS NOT IN GEAR TO BEGIN WITH. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE 04 S2000. THE SERVICE ENGINEER THAT WORKS FOR HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HONDA REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA BECAUSE YOU COULD TRY TO ACCELERETE THROUGH A SMALL BREAK IN TRAFFIC, MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND DRIFT RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH THE ENGINE REVVING AND NO ACCELERATION AND GET KILLED.*AK
POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-02-21
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
- Summary: TRANSMISSION IS ROUGH AND SOMETIMES "POPS" OUT OF 1ST GEAR. DURING HIGHER ACCELERATION SHIFTING GEARS OCCASIONALLY BECOME HARD TO DO. AS IF THEY ARE NOT LINED UP CORRECTLY. ALSO THE CLAMPS THAT HOLD THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UP BECOME DETERIORATED RATHER QUICKLY. THIS WEAKER LOCK BEGINS TO RATTLE AND MAKE ALL KINDS OF SOUNDS DURING DRIVING. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2004 Honda S2000 problems:
Common S2000 Problems/Solutions (1999-2009) - S2KI Honda ...
Mar 18, 2009 ... Problem: Wind noise / Soft top noise. ... Problem: After sitting for a long time, my car doesn't start on the first try. Fact: Several S2000 ...
Any one have a abnormal amount of issues with there s2000? : r ...
Jul 11, 2021 ... And for the miscellaneous garbage: Rear axle bucket wear-related vibration on acceleration. The clutch slave cylinder fork needs regreasing ...
What Are Common S2000 Problems / Issues? - S2KI Honda S2000 ...
Sep 11, 2007 ... S2000 Talk - What Are Common S2000 Problems / Issues? - Hi there, I'm looking at a couple of nice used S2000's in my area --- all AP1's ...
Common Problems - S2000.club
Idle / Hesitation / Kangerooing / Misfire Problems As idle / hesitation / kangerooing / misfire problems and misfires seem to be a common problem on the S2000, ...
00-01 S2000 Transmission problems - Honda-Tech - Honda Forum ...
Mar 1, 2004 ... Honda S2000 - 00-01 S2000 Transmission problems ... 2004 06:10 AM. Honda-Tech Member. Re: (schism) ... common problems? issues? Honda S2000 ...
Other years of Honda S2000
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