HondaS20002000Overview/honda/s2000/2000/base/

2000 Honda S2000

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 S2000.

Transmission Manual 6-spd

The 2000 Honda S2000 debuted with a 6-speed manual transmission and EPA fuel economy estimates of 18 mpg city, 23 highway, and 20 combined. Within the model’s 2000–2008 production run, this inaugural year recorded the highest number of owner complaints at 46, with exterior lighting issues leading the concerns and three recalls issued. Consequently, the 2000 S2000 stands as the most trouble-prone year in the model’s history, a stark contrast to the 2007 model that logged only 3 complaints.

Model year200920082007200620052004200320022000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51 · 430 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51 · 430 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225-50WR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height50.8 in
Wheelbase94.5 in
Curb weight2809 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)49/51

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S2000 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2000 Roadster
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000Roadster 2.0L I-45.80 sec14.40 sec240 hpRWD
2000Roadster 2.0L I-45.80 sec14.20 sec240 hpRWD
2000Roadster 2.0L I-46.50 sec14.90 sec240 hpRWD
2000Roadster 2.0L I-46.80 sec15.10 sec240 hpRWD
2001Roadster 2.0L I-45.20 sec13.84 sec240 hpRWD
2003Roadster 2.0L I-45.40 sec14.10 sec240 hpRWD
2003Roadster 2.0L I-46.30 sec14.90 sec240 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs16 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.43 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51
Standard BCI Cranking Performance430 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-54.0 psi
Engine Compression135-228. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure3.6 psi @ Idle, 86 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0008-0.0016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0008-0.0016 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH DISC BRAKES / WITH DRUM BRAKES
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH DISC BRAKES / WITH DRUM BRAKES
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in / 0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep bolts 1-10:, If using old bolts:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts:90 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees; bolts A:90 degrees
116

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 90,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2000 model year stands out as the launch year with the highest complaint count (46) and the only year requiring three recalls, compared to zero or minimal recalls in all subsequent years through 2008. Complaint volumes declined sharply from the 2000 peak (46) to 24 in 2001, then continued downward to just 3 complaints by 2007-2008. Similarly, Technical Service Bulletins dropped from 107 in 2000 to 79 by 2002 and further to single digits by 2007. The top complaint categories—Exterior Lighting and Visibility (7 each)—along with Engine & Engine Cooling issues (6) suggest early-stage electrical and drivetrain calibration concerns that were progressively addressed. The target year's zero fire complaints and three crash-related complaints are comparable to or lower than subsequent years, offering some reassurance on safety-critical systems. This data indicates that while the 2000 model represents the generation's most problematic introductory year, the substantial and consistent improvement in complaint and recall rates through the mid-2000s suggests that a later model year would likely offer a more refined ownership experience with fewer documented defects.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
107
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
46
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 46 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting7
Visibility7
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Structure4
Power Train4
Seat Belts4
Air Bags3
Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V316000Seat Belts:Front:RetractorReported 10/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CAN DEFORM AND CAUSE COMPLETE OR FREQUENT LOCKING OF THE RETRACTOR. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE PULLED OUT OF THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY.

00V016000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 24/01/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES. WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS DOWN AND THE SEAT IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY BACK, THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY RESULTING IN SLACK IN THE SEAT BELTS. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE SEAT BELT.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 107 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…
SB-99-0752013-08-09Engine And Engine CoolingHONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO…
08-0402008-05-31EquipmentLOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE
12052005-12-16Power TrainTRANSMISSION GRINDS AT SHIFTS, SKIP SHIFTING. *TT
020652005-10-28StructureCONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT OPEN PROPERLY. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S2000. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2000 S2000 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S2000 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.