Honda S2000: common faults & what to check

Which Honda S2000 are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

2 variants documented

2000–2009AP12000–2009AP12.0 petrolPetrolDocumented issues9 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Spanish Coches via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

2000–2009AP12000–2009AP12.2 petrolPetrolDocumented issues7 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Spanish Coches via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Honda S2000

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Honda S2000 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Check oil pressure at idle and high rpm with gauge.

  See why

  F20C Rod Bearing Failure

  High-revving F20C engines (9000 rpm redline) are prone to rod bearing spun bearings or failure at high mileage, particularly in cars with track use history or infrequent oil changes. Oil starvation under sustained cornering loads accelerates wear. Failure results in catastrophic engine damage requiring full rebuild or replacement.

  What you would notice

  • Knocking or rumbling from lower engine at idle or under load
  • Low oil pressure warning light
  • Metallic particles in oil on drain
  • Engine suddenly seizes or loses power

  Typically $4,000–$10,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Operate the soft-top fully open and fully closed.

  See why

  Soft-Top Frame Corrosion and Latch Mechanism Failure

  The AP1 and AP2 soft-top hood frames are prone to corrosion at pivot and hinge points, particularly in the NZ/AU coastal climate. Aluminium and steel frame components corrode at contact points causing the hood to sit unevenly, leak, or fail to latch securely. The secondary latch striker mechanism is also prone to binding or breaking with age.

  What you would notice

  • Hood sits unevenly or gaps visible when closed
  • Water ingress at hood seams or around the A-pillar seal
  • Stiff or seized roof frame hinges requiring force to operate
  • Latch that does not fully engage or pops open at speed

  Typically $500–$2,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine and watch exhaust for blue smoke.

  See why

  Valve Stem Seal Oil Consumption

  Hardened or cracked valve stem seals are a documented wear item on AP1 F20C engines, allowing oil to be drawn past the valve guides into the combustion chamber. Results in blue smoke on startup and gradual oil consumption. Age and heat cycles accelerate seal degradation.

  What you would notice

  • Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start that clears after warm-up
  • Oil consumption between services without visible external leaks
  • Faint burning oil smell from exhaust

  Typically $900–$2,200 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Drive slowly in a tight circle (carpark U-turn) at low speed with light throttle — worn clutch pack LSD chatters or clunks.

  See why

  Rear LSD Clutch Pack Wear

  The Torsen-type or clutch-pack limited slip differential in the S2000 rear axle degrades over time, especially on cars used spiritedly or on track. Worn clutch packs result in loss of differential locking effect and can cause chatter, clunks, or uneven power delivery on corner exit. LSD fluid neglect accelerates wear significantly.

  What you would notice

  • Chattering or clunking from rear differential on tight low-speed turns
  • Rear end hopping or skipping when accelerating out of corners
  • Loss of expected traction balance on wet roads

  Typically $800–$2,200 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine from cold (not warmed up beforehand) and listen for timing chain rattle from the front/top of the engine.

  See why

  F22C Timing Chain Tensioner Cold-Start Rattle

  The 2.2L F22C in the AP2 S2000 uses a timing chain with a hydraulic tensioner that loses oil pressure when the engine sits for extended periods. This produces a distinctive rattle or clattering on cold startup for several seconds until oil pressure builds and the tensioner primes. Repeated occurrences can cause chain and guide wear over time if the root cause (worn tensioner or low oil) is not addressed.

  What you would notice

  • Metallic rattling or clattering from top of engine on cold start
  • Rattle disappears within 3-10 seconds of startup
  • Noise more pronounced after the car has sat for several days

  Typically $500–$1,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check rear tyre wear pattern for uneven or diagonal scrub.

  See why

  Rear Toe Control Arm Bushing and Ball Joint Wear

  The rear multi-link suspension toe control arms on AP1 S2000s use rubber bushings and ball joints that wear with age and high-speed use. Worn toe arms cause the rear wheels to toe out unpredictably under load, resulting in nervous handling, tyre scrub on the outer edge, and failed wheel alignment. A known cost-of-ownership item on older examples.

  What you would notice

  • Uneven rear tyre wear, particularly outer edge scrubbing
  • Rear end wander or instability at highway speeds
  • Alignment shop unable to achieve specified rear toe without noting worn arms

  Typically $600–$1,600 to put right.

Honda S2000 service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Honda S2000. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Honda S2000’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Honda models