Acura Nsx ReliabilityAll Years Ranked (1991–2021)
Side-by-side reliability scores, risk levels, and owner-cost projections for every Acura Nsx we've analyzed. Identify the best years to buy, the ones to avoid, and the problems that follow the Nsx across generations.
Average Score
90/100
Best Year
1992 Acura Nsx
Score 92
Weakest Year
2017 Acura Nsx
Score 82
Every Acura Nsx Ranked
Sorted by reliability score. Each link opens the full year-specific report.
An exceptionally reliable supercar, requiring diligent but predictable maintenance to preserve its iconic status.
Top risks: Manual Transmission (Snap Ring) · HVAC System · Targa Top Delamination (T-top models)
A supercar anomaly: world-class performance wrapped in Honda reliability, provided critical age-related issues are addressed.
Top risks: Manual Transmission (Snap Ring) · HVAC System · Timing Belt Service
An exotic supercar that defies expectations for reliability, demanding meticulous care but rewarding owners with consistent performance.
Top risks: Major Scheduled Maintenance · Manual Transmission (Snap Ring) · Suspension & Bushings
A remarkably robust exotic that demands diligent maintenance and a healthy budget for age-related component replacement, but delivers unparalleled reliability in its class.
Top risks: ABS Modulator · Timing Belt & Water Pump · Rubber & Plastic Components
An exceptionally reliable exotic, but don't mistake 'reliable' for 'cheap to maintain'.
Top risks: Age-Related Rubber/Bushings · Electrical Components (HVAC, Windows, Bose Amp) · ABS Modulator/Accumulator
A practically bomb-proof supercar that defies typical exotic car reliability expectations, offering immense enjoyment with manageable long-term ownership costs.
Top risks: Braking System (ABS Modulator) · Air Conditioning System · Suspension Components
An exceptionally reliable exotic car, but expect premium maintenance costs for its age and pedigree.
Top risks: Timing Belt & Water Pump · Suspension Bushings & Dampers · HVAC & Electrical Accessories
A bulletproof supercar if properly maintained, but specialized parts and labor mean 'reliable' doesn't always mean 'cheap'.
Top risks: ABS Modulator Unit · Ignition System (Coils) · Rubber & Plastic Components
A truly bulletproof exotic, offering unparalleled peace of mind for those who embrace its specialized maintenance demands.
Top risks: ABS Modulator · Timing Belt & Water Pump Service · Climate Control Unit/Display
A remarkably robust and dependable supercar, demanding meticulous, specialized care to preserve its legendary status.
Top risks: Rubber & Plastic Components · Electrical Accessories · Brake System
An exotic car that defies its age with remarkable mechanical integrity, provided you're prepared for specific age-related maintenance items.
Top risks: Braking System (ABS) · Engine (Timing Belt/Water Pump) · Electrical & Interior Accessories
A bulletproof supercar if its singular transmission flaw has been addressed, demanding specialist care but delivering unparalleled long-term satisfaction.
Top risks: Transmission (6-Speed Manual) · Engine Timing Belt/Water Pump · Aging Electronics & Accessories
A remarkably reliable classic supercar that, with a few targeted preventative measures, offers exceptional peace of mind for its class and age.
Top risks: Transmission (Manual) · Electrical - Main Relay · Cooling System - Heater Valve
A supercar anomaly: world-class performance delivered with a surprising dose of Japanese dependability.
Top risks: Sport Hybrid SH-AWD System (IPU/Motor Control) · 9-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) · Advanced Electronic Sensors & Wiring
A truly reliable supercar that demands diligent, though infrequent, specialized care.
Top risks: Manual Transmission (Pre-1996) · Main Relay/Fuel Pump Relay · A/C System Compressor & Lines
A surprisingly robust exotic that merges supercar performance with Honda dependability, but demands specialized care and a substantial budget for its intricate technology.
Top risks: Hybrid Power Unit & Cooling · 9-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) · Carbon Ceramic Brakes & Tires
A surprisingly resilient exotic, but its high-tech powertrain and specialized components demand meticulous, expert-level care.
Top risks: Hybrid System Inverters & Control Modules · Twin-Turbocharger System · Adaptive Damper Suspension
A remarkably reliable exotic, but one catastrophic component failure could prove financially devastating without proper planning.
Top risks: Hybrid System (HV Battery/Motor Control) · 9-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) · Adaptive Dampers & Suspension Electronics
A technologically ambitious supercar with a surprisingly reliable core, but demands meticulous attention to its complex systems and carries a high cost of ownership.
Top risks: Hybrid System Components · 9-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) · Advanced Electrical & Electronics
Problems That Follow the Nsx Across Generations
Issues that appear in the top-3 risks across multiple model years — the cost of ownership you can actually predict.
9-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
Appears in 4 model years · 21% of generations
Manual Transmission (Snap Ring)
Appears in 3 model years · 16% of generations
Rubber & Plastic Components
Appears in 3 model years · 16% of generations
HVAC System
Appears in 2 model years · 11% of generations
ABS Modulator
Appears in 2 model years · 11% of generations
Timing Belt & Water Pump
Appears in 2 model years · 11% of generations