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Honda NSX NA1/NA2 Maintenance Schedule (1990-2005)

Complete Honda NSX maintenance schedule for NA1 (1990-1997) and NA2 (1997-2005) models. Includes timing belt service, valve adjustments, costs, and common issues specific to the mid-engine V6 VTEC exotic.

Honda NSX NA1/NA2
US Import Legal
Honda NSX
NA1/NA2 (1990-2005)
Power
See specifications
0-60
See specifications
Top Speed
See specifications
Current Market Value
Contact for pricing

🇺🇸 US Import Information

This vehicle is currently legal to import to the United States under the 25-year exemption rule. Vehicles manufactured in 1990 or earlier may be imported without DOT/EPA modifications.

Honda NSX (NA1/NA2)
Maintenance Schedule for 1990-2005 | Engine: C30A/C32B 3.0L/3.2L VTEC V6
3,000 Miles / 3 Months
6 tasks • routine maintenance
routine
Engine Oil & Filter Change
Moderate DIY
Replace engine oil with Honda Genuine 10W-30 or equivalent synthetic. Replace oil filter. Mid-engine access requires removing rear trunk liner.
45 minutes
DIY Cost$60-$90
Shop Cost$120-$180

Parts Required:

  • Honda Genuine 10W-30 Engine Oil × 5.3 quarts (NA1) / 5.8 quarts (NA2)OEM: 08798-9034
  • Oil Filter × 1OEM: 15400-PL2-004

Tools Required:

Socket set
Oil filter wrench
Drain pan
Funnel
  • Hot oil can cause burns
  • Dispose of oil properly
  • Access engine from rear trunk
Tire Rotation & Pressure Check
Easy DIY
Rotate tires following Honda specified pattern. Check tire pressures (Front: 33 PSI, Rear: 40 PSI). Inspect tread depth and wear patterns.
30 minutes
DIY Cost$0
Shop Cost$40-$60

Tools Required:

Floor jack
Jack stands
Tire pressure gauge
Torque wrench
  • Use proper jack points
  • Torque lug nuts to 80 lb-ft
Brake System Inspection
Easy DIY
Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and fluid level. NSX uses aluminum front calipers and iron rear calipers - check for corrosion.
20 minutes
DIY Cost$0
Shop Cost$40-$60

Tools Required:

Flashlight
Brake thickness gauge
  • Minimum pad thickness: 3mm
  • Rotor minimum thickness stamped on rotor
Fluid Level Check (All)
Easy DIY
Check and top off: coolant, brake fluid (DOT 4), power steering fluid, clutch fluid (manual), windshield washer fluid.
15 minutes
DIY Cost$20-$40
Shop Cost$40-$60

Parts Required:

  • Honda Type 2 Coolant × As neededOEM: 08C50-C321S01

Tools Required:

Funnel
  • Never open cooling system when hot
  • Use only Honda Type 2 coolant
Battery Inspection & Terminal Cleaning
Easy DIY
Check battery voltage (should be 12.4-12.8V at rest). Clean terminals if corroded. Battery located in front trunk.
15 minutes
DIY Cost$5-$10
Shop Cost$30-$50

Parts Required:

  • Battery terminal cleaner × 1

Tools Required:

Multimeter
Wire brush
Socket wrench
  • Disconnect negative terminal first
  • Wear eye protection
Visual Inspection (Leaks, Hoses, Belts)
Easy DIY
Inspect for fluid leaks, cracked hoses, worn belts. Check accessory belt condition and tension.
15 minutes
DIY Cost$0
Shop Cost$40-$60

Tools Required:

Flashlight
  • Early NSXs prone to coolant hose failures
  • Replace hoses every 10 years regardless of appearance
Common Issues & Solutions
Preventive maintenance based on known issues with this model
Snapring transmission failure (1991-1992 manual models)
critical
Cause:

Factory defect in transmission snapring allows countershaft to slip out of position, causing catastrophic failure. Affected serial numbers: J4A4-1003542 to J4A4-1005978.

Solution:

Check transmission serial number. If in affected range, preemptively replace snapring and related components before failure. Upgrade kits available from SOS and Dali Racing. Cost: $1,500-$2,500 installed.

Estimated Cost:$1,500-$2,500
Window regulator slow operation or failure
minor
Cause:

Window regulators accumulate dirt and lose lubrication over time. Motors can also fail.

Solution:

Clean window tracks, lubricate regulator mechanism with silicone grease. If motor fails, replace window regulator assembly. Common issue on all NSXs.

Estimated Cost:$200-$400 per window
Climate control system failure (auto climate models)
moderate
Cause:

Climate control unit capacitors fail with age, causing erratic operation or complete failure.

Solution:

Send climate control unit to specialist for capacitor replacement. Alternative: replace entire unit ($$$). DIY capacitor replacement possible with soldering skills.

Estimated Cost:$200-$400 (repair) / $1,500+ (new unit)
Main relay failure (no start, intermittent stalling)
moderate
Cause:

Main relay solder joints crack with age and heat cycles, causing intermittent or permanent failure. Very common issue.

Solution:

Remove and re-solder main relay (located under dashboard). Replacement relays available. Easy DIY fix. Carry spare relay in car for emergencies.

Estimated Cost:$80-$150 (new relay) / $0-$50 (resolder)
ABS system failure (ABS light on)
moderate
Cause:

ABS pump motor accumulator failure, wheel speed sensor failure, or corrosion in ABS module.

Solution:

Diagnose ABS code first. Common: wheel speed sensors ($100-$200 each). ABS pump rebuild available from specialists ($800-$1,200). ABS module repair/replacement ($1,500-$3,000).

Estimated Cost:$100-$3,000 depending on cause
Coolant hose failure (sudden overheating)
critical
Cause:

OEM coolant hoses deteriorate from inside-out after 15-20 years. Can fail suddenly without external signs of wear.

Solution:

Preventively replace all coolant hoses at 90k miles or 15 years, whichever comes first. Use quality aftermarket hoses (OEM no longer available). Do not wait for visible cracking.

Estimated Cost:$600-$1,000 installed
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Honda NSX NA1/NA2 Maintenance Schedule

The Honda NSX is a mid-engine exotic requiring specialized maintenance procedures. This comprehensive maintenance guide covers both NA1 (1990-1997) and NA2 (1997-2005) models with specific attention to the unique C30A/C32B VTEC V6 engines.

Critical Maintenance Notes

TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT: The timing belt service at 60,000 miles (or 6 years) is the most critical maintenance task. Failure can result in catastrophic engine damage due to valve-to-piston contact. Budget $2,000-$3,000 for this essential service.

Mid-Engine Access: Many maintenance tasks require removing the engine cover and working in the rear trunk area. Labor costs are typically 1.5-2x higher than conventional front-engine cars.

Snapring Transmission (1991-1992): Early manual transmission NSXs have a factory defect. Check transmission serial number and replace if in the affected range before failure occurs.

Follow the maintenance schedules below to preserve your NSX investment.

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