The 2006 Honda S2000 has 10 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 3 complaints, typically surfacing around 17,882 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
0
Critical
1
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 S2000?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Honda S2000? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 17,882 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
body — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 30,333 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 17,882 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
body (~$1,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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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…
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2006 Honda S2000?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
With reduced braking assistance, the vehicle may require additional brake pedal force to prevent a lengthened stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster assembly. If necessary, the dealers will replace the booster assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's recall number is JA4. Acura's recall number is JA5.
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline
The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
Fix: Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009, Acura at 1-800-382-2238 or Honda motorcycles at 1-866-784-1870.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Honda S2000 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Honda S2000 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Honda S2000?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Honda S2000 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Honda S2000?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 17,882 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Honda S2000 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 17,882 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Honda S2000?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 17,882 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 17,882 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda S2000 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Honda S2000?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Honda/S2000.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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