1995 Honda del Sol Problems: 9 Known Issues

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, the Del Sol uses a distributor-based ignition system with internal coil and ignition module. The distributor is prone to failure from moisture intrusion, internal coil cracking, and igniter module heat damage. Symptoms include intermittent no-start conditions, engine dying while driving, and misfires. The distributor is mounted at the rear of the cylinder head where it is exposed to engine heat and splash from the road. Remanufactured distributors are available but quality varies significantly between brands.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, the del Sol's cam-driven ignition distributor (mounted on the cylinder head) has an internal shaft oil seal that hardens and leaks with age. Engine oil migrates past the seal and coats the cap, rotor, igniter, and internal sensors, causing misfires, rough running, and stalling. The distributor shaft bearing also wears, and internal sensors such as the CYP (cylinder position) sensor can fail (setting P1381/P1382). The 1994-1995 cars are widely cited for this leak, though it affects the full 1993-1997 range. A known secondary hazard: leaking oil drips onto the heater hose below and can degrade it.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, like most 1990s Hondas, the del Sol uses a PGM-FI main relay that powers the ECU and fuel pump. Cracked factory solder joints on the relay's internal circuit board open as the relay heats, causing intermittent no-start or long-crank conditions that are worst in hot weather or when the engine is warm. Once running, current bridges the crack, so the car often restarts fine after cooling, making the fault frustratingly intermittent.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, on aging del Sols in salt-belt climates, rust attacks two key structural areas: the rear frame outrigger where the rear trailing-arm mounts to the unibody (driver's side is commonly reported), and the rear quarter panels above the wheel arch that can spread to the rocker line. Because the trailing-arm mount is a suspension attachment point, corrosion there is a structural/safety concern, not just cosmetic. Owners and vendors reference a frame outrigger repair panel (e.g. 04659-SR2-300ZZ).

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, the Del Sol features a removable targa-style roof panel that relies on rubber weatherstripping seals around the entire perimeter of the roof opening. These seals harden, crack, and shrink with age, causing water leaks into the cabin during rain and car washes. The front header seal above the windshield and the rear seal at the buttress are the most common leak points. The roof panel latch mechanisms also wear, preventing the panel from pulling down tightly against the seals.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, the del Sol's signature removable targa roof is its most frequently reported weak point. The rubber weatherstrip seals harden and shrink with age, and the alignment/mounting hardware at the corners loosens, so the top rattles over bumps and around corners and admits water at the front header, side rails, and rear glass. Owners of early 1993-1994 cars report the most flex and noise; hardened seals eventually affect every model year. This is a body/chassis issue independent of engine.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, all del Sol engines (D15B7, D16Z6 SOHC VTEC, D16Y7/D16Y8, and the B16A3/B16A2 DOHC VTEC) are rubber timing-belt driven and are interference designs, meaning a snapped belt lets valves strike pistons and destroys the top end. Honda specifies replacement around the 60,000-mile interval, but on 25-30+ year-old cars belt age (rubber degradation) matters as much as mileage, and many surviving cars are overdue. The water pump is belt-driven and should be replaced at the same time.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, on the SOHC VTEC engines (D16Z6, D16Y8) the VTEC solenoid spool-valve gasket and the cam seal behind it harden with heat cycling and seep oil down the block; an internal leak here can even cause inconsistent VTEC engagement or a check-engine light. Separately, the valve-cover gasket and its spark-plug tube seals (grommets) shrink and leak oil into the plug wells, fouling plugs and igniter. The solenoid mounting bolts (M6) stretch over time and won't re-torque properly, so leaks recur if only the gasket is swapped.

On the 1993-1997 Honda del Sol, the Del Sol shares its rear suspension with the Civic but carries its weight differently due to the targa top structure. The rear trailing arm bushings wear out and develop excessive compliance, causing the rear toe to shift under load. This results in unpredictable rear-end handling, particularly during mid-corner transitions and trail braking. The Del Sol already has a reputation for snap oversteer due to its short wheelbase, and worn bushings make this behavior worse.