2019 HONDA S660

Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: metallic ticking or tapping at idle that worsens when hot, reduced power on hard acceleration, check engine light with P0300-series misfire codes, oil pressure warning light in extreme cases

Fix: S07A engine has tight tolerances and lifters wear prematurely with insufficient or degraded oil. Single lifter replacement is 3-4 hours, but typically multiple lifters are affected requiring full set replacement (6-8 hours labor). Requires valve cover removal, cam R&R, and careful shimming. Many techs recommend doing all lifters once one fails to avoid comeback. Use Honda genuine parts—aftermarket lifters have higher failure rate.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800

Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi

Symptoms: excessive engine movement during hard launches or shifts, clunking when engaging gear from neutral, vibration at highway speeds, notchy shifter feel

Fix: Mid-engine layout places huge stress on the rear transmission mount during spirited driving. OEM rubber mounts deteriorate fast with track use or aggressive street driving. Replacement is 2-3 hours requiring exhaust component removal and supporting the transmission. Upgraded polyurethane mounts are common but introduce more NVH. Check engine and transmission alignment after replacement.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: transmission fluid spots under vehicle near firewall, transmission running hotter than normal, slight burnt smell after hard driving, low fluid on dipstick despite no visible leaks

Fix: The CVT transmission oil cooler lines run along hot exhaust components and develop pinhole leaks or seepage at crimp connections. Not catastrophic but leads to slow fluid loss and eventual transmission damage if ignored. Requires 3-4 hours to access due to mid-engine packaging—must remove underbody panels and heat shields. Replace both feed and return lines as preventive measure. Flush and refill CVT with Honda CVTF only.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: rattling on cold starts that disappears after 10-15 seconds, check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0017), rough idle and hesitation, metal shavings in oil during changes

Fix: S07A engines develop timing chain stretch faster than larger Honda engines, likely due to high specific output (64hp/liter boosted). Guides wear and tensioner loses effectiveness. This is an 8-10 hour job requiring front engine cover removal in cramped mid-engine bay. Must replace chain, guides, tensioner, and both cam sprockets. Water pump replacement is wise during this job (add 1 hour). Failure to address leads to jumped timing and valve-to-piston contact. Critical to use genuine Honda parts.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: severe vibration at all RPMs, squealing or grinding from front of engine, battery not charging (alternator belt slip), visible wobble of crankshaft pulley, engine shutdown if pulley seizes

Fix: The rubber damper ring in the harmonic balancer degrades and separates, especially in hot climates or with frequent redline use. When it fails, the outer ring can spin independently or fly off. Replacement is 2-3 hours requiring serpentine belt removal and crankshaft bolt (very tight—needs impact gun and holder tool). Inspect for this during every major service as failure can strand the vehicle. Some techs report bolt backing out at highway speeds—use new OEM bolt with threadlocker.

Estimated cost: $600-1,100

Symptoms: hesitation or stumble under boost, longer cranking before start, limp mode activation under full throttle, fuel trim codes (P0171, P0174)

Fix: S660s imported from Japan can be sensitive to US fuel quality differences. In-tank fuel filter (part of pump assembly) clogs faster than expected. Symptoms mimic failing fuel pump. Filter alone isn't serviceable—requires full pump assembly replacement at 3-4 hours labor due to mid-engine fuel tank access. Some owners add inline filter as preventive measure. Running Top Tier gasoline and fuel system cleaner every 5k miles reduces occurrence.

Estimated cost: $700-1,200