HondaS20002001Overview/honda/s2000/2001/base/

2001 Honda S2000

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 S2000.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Manual 6-spd

The 2001 Honda S2000 is a passenger car equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, placing it squarely in the sports car segment for its driver-focused character, and with zero recalls reported it avoids one of the common pitfalls that can affect performance vehicles; in the broader context of the model's 2000-2008 reliability history, this model year recorded 24 owner complaints with the powertrain cited as the primary concern area—a figure that falls between the model's peak complaint year of 2000 (46 complaints) and its eventual low point in 2007 (3 complaints), indicating that while not the most trouble-free iteration of the S2000, the 2001 example represents a middle ground in the model's evolution toward improved dependability.

Model year200920082007200620052004200320022001

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 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 / 24 / 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.

5.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2001 Roadster
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Roadster 2.0L I-45.20 sec13.84 sec240 hpRWD
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
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.

This engine GL-5 in the differential. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs16 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94 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 Type46
Oil Capacity4.33-5.00 oz
Oil GroupPAG
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 at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 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)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2001 Honda S2000 sits in the second model year of the federal record and shows a marked improvement from 2000: complaints fell from 46 to 24, recalls dropped from 3 to 0, and TSBs declined from 107 to 94. Across the generation, complaints and TSBs trend downward after the higher-volume early years, with no recalls from 2001 through 2005, suggesting the line stabilized quickly after its launch. Within 2001, the leading complaint categories are Power Train and Air Bags, each with 4 reports, followed by Visibility (3) and Steering (2), plus 3 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint; the data does not specify root causes. That places 2001 near the start of the improvement arc rather than the most refined later years, but it already avoids the launch-year recall activity seen in 2000. Given zero recalls, zero investigations, and complaint volume roughly halved from the debut year, 2001 looks like a comparatively reasonable early S2000 to buy, provided a thorough pre-purchase inspection confirms the specific Power Train, Air Bag, Visibility, and Steering items have been addressed.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
94
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train4
Air Bags4
Visibility3
Steering2
Tires2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train2
Service Brakes1
Steering,Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 94 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…
DLR MSG - Honda2014-08-06Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for…
DLR MSG - Stop S2014-07-23Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for…
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

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 2001 S2000 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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 / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.