Research · Two Seaters

2006 Honda S2000Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2006 Honda S2000. Most complaints involve air bags (3) and structure (3). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2013
Owner complaints
10
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2006, through November 13, 2006. The brake booster may be unable to maintain a vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed, decreasing brake assist.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 13, 2013NHTSA 13V246000

Equipment: owners

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Jul 26, 2006NHTSA 06V270000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2007 – May 2023
  1. Air bags3
  2. Structure3
  3. Fuel system, gasoline1
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Suspension1
  6. Equipment1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S2000 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200040
200123
200222
200334
20045
200515
200610
20073
20083
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

3 reports2 crashes
“airbag light on , no accident .will take to Honda dealer soon wondered if this is related to tatka airbag problems.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2023Air bagsODI 11523414

Structure

3 reports
“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 THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS. THERE OBVIOUSLY IS AN ISSUE WITH THE RETRACTION MECHANISM DESIGN OR FUNCTION. WEAR ON A RETRACTED CONVERTIBLE TOP , TO THE POINT OF PENETRATION, IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2013StructureODI 10525827

Fuel system, gasoline

1 report
“MY 2006 HONDA S-2000 HAS HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH HIGH COLD START IDLE THAT CAN EXCEED 2500 RPM MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE UNTIL SUFFICIENT TIME HAS ELAPSED FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM UP. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HONDA OF NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, HONDA ARRANGED FOR ME TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALER TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. AFTER THREE DAYS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THEIR POSSESSION, HONDA NOW STATES THAT; THE IDLE SPEED FOR THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL AND NO DEFECTS COULD BE FOUND IN THE CAR. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY SAFE TO OPERATE IF GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME TO WARM UP. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2010Fuel system, gasoline, Vehicle speed controlODI 10329325
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S2000
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$4,000444
  • S2000
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Honda S2000 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1848
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 S2000 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Honda S2000 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Honda S2000 problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (3), structure (3), fuel system, gasoline (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Honda S2000 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Honda S2000 at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026