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Honda · Known Issues

1993 Honda NSX Problems: 5 Known Issues

1993 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1993 Honda NSX has 5 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Cooling System Age Failures: Cracked Radiator End Tanks and Overheating ($900-$2,500 repair) and Timing Belt / Water Pump Service on an Interference Engine ($1,500-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $200 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • NSX Cooling1
  • NSX Engine1
  • NSX HVAC1
  • NSX Brakes1
  • NSX Transmission1
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Cooling1
  • Engine1
  • HVAC1
  • Brakes1
  • Transmission1
  • FAQ

All 5 Known Issues

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ALL YEARS199919981997199619951994199319921991

On the 1991-1999 Honda NSX, the all-aluminum C30A/C32B is sensitive to overheating, and the factory cooling system is now decades old. The original radiator's plastic end tanks become brittle from years of heat cycling and crack at the seams/hose outlets, while original rubber hoses, a tired thermostat, weak fans, and trapped air raise the risk. Because the engine is mid-mounted with long coolant runs to the front radiator, air pockets and marginal flow are easy to develop after any service. Left unaddressed, a coolant loss event can overheat and warp/crack the aluminum engine, turning a cheap part into a major repair.

Common Symptoms

  • Coolant leak / puddle from the front radiator area
  • Rising temperature gauge, especially at idle or in traffic
  • Repeated coolant top-ups
  • Overheating after cooling work due to trapped air

How to Fix

Refresh the cooling system: replace the aging radiator (many owners fit an aluminum-tank unit), all coolant hoses, thermostat, and radiator cap, verify both fan circuits, and carefully burp the system to remove trapped air. Treat the original plastic-tank radiator as a wear item on any unrestored car. Full cooling refresh typically runs about $900-$2,500 depending on parts chosen.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • Koyo enpp-1052 direct-fit aluminum radiator
    OEMScienceOfSpeed enpp-1052 / Koyo NSX radiator

    Radiator branch when pressure testing or inspection confirms cracked tanks, seams or an unserviceable core Fitment/availability: 1991-1999 U.S./LHD Acura NSX C30A/C32B; direct drop-in mounting with factory fan locations. Confirm hose, ca…

    ScienceOfSpeed
  • Genuine Honda complete coolant hose kit, left-hand drive
    OEMScienceOfSpeed enpp-72x configurable Honda hose kit

    Age-refresh branch for original/hardened/leaking engine and heater hoses Fitment/availability: 1991-1999 U.S./LHD Acura NSX; select the exact model-year and manual-versus-automatic kit. Includes the full water-hose set, oil-filter-housin…

    ScienceOfSpeed
  • Genuine Honda 19301-P8E-A10 thermostat and seal
    OEMHonda 19301-P8E-A10

    Confirm VIN and orientation/procedure.

    ScienceOfSpeed
  • Sankei enpp-3451 1.1-bar coolant expansion-reservoir pressure cap
    OEMScienceOfSpeed enpp-3451 / Sankei 1.1 bar

    Pressure-cap branch when testing shows early venting, seal damage or as part of a justified complete age refresh Fitment/availability: 1991-1999 U.S. Acura NSX expansion reservoir, rated 1.1 kg/cm²/approximately 16 psi.

    ScienceOfSpeed
  • Genuine Honda Type 2 premixed coolant, one gallon
    OEMHonda OL999-9011 (current supersession may be 08CLA-P99-0F0A

    Required refill fluid after an approved cooling-system opening or refresh Fitment/availability: Honda/Acura aluminum-engine cooling systems; premixed Type 2, one gallon per container.

    Honda Parts For Less

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Typical repair cost:$900 - $2,500

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026

On the 1991-1999 Honda NSX, the C30A and C32B are interference engines: if the timing belt breaks or jumps, valves contact pistons and the engine is destroyed. The belt and the water pump (driven by the belt) are age/mileage wear items with a service interval of roughly 7 years or ~90,000-105,000 miles regardless of use, since rubber degrades with time. Because the engine is a transverse mid-mounted V6 buried behind the cabin, access is labor-intensive, so a neglected or overdue belt is the single biggest hidden risk on any first-gen NSX. Cars sold without recent timing-belt receipts should be assumed to need the service.

Common Symptoms

  • Overdue service interval (7 years / ~90k-105k miles)
  • Coolant weeping from the water pump
  • Ticking or squeal from the timing cover area
  • Catastrophic no-start / bent valves if the belt fails

How to Fix

Replace the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and idler/seals as a package, and do the accessory belts and cam/crank seals at the same time since the front of the engine is already open. Roughly 7 hours of labor. Always verify the last service by date, not just mileage; a low-mileage car can still have an original brittle belt.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • ScienceOfSpeed Genuine Honda 90k/6-year timing-belt and water-pump service kit
    OEMScienceOfSpeed HON-enpp-3437

    Kit includes Honda timing belt, water pump, valve-cover seals, tube seals, cover washers, oil/air filters and accessory belts; verify exa

    ScienceOfSpeed
  • Genuine Honda 14510-PR7-A01 timing-belt adjuster pulley
    OEMHonda 14510-PR7-A01

    Confirm VIN and service-kit contents to avoid duplication.

    ScienceOfSpeed
  • Genuine Honda updated lower timing-belt cover and grommet kit
    OEMScienceOfSpeed HON-11810-KIT / Honda 11810-PR7-A02

    Conditional 1991-1996 branch only when inspection confirms the original short-weep cover remains and the modern pump requires the update Fitment/availability: 1991-1996 U.S.

    ScienceOfSpeed

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Typical repair cost:$1,500 - $3,500

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026

On the 1991-1999 Honda NSX, the dash-mounted Climate Control Unit is a chronic first-gen NSX failure. Over the decades the factory electrolytic capacitors on the CCU circuit board dry out and leak corrosive electrolyte onto the PCB, eating copper traces and cracking solder joints, and the electrolyte can creep up the legs of the main control chip and sever its internal connections. This causes highly erratic behavior: dead or garbled LED/LCD display, buttons/knobs that do nothing, and a blower that either won't run, runs only on high, or is stuck on constantly. It affects essentially all 1991-1999 (and beyond) cars because it is age-driven; hot/humid climates and both lack of use and overuse accelerate it.

Common Symptoms

  • Blank, dim, or garbled climate control display
  • Fan speed knob/buttons unresponsive
  • Blower stuck on high or won't turn on at all
  • Erratic/random climate control behavior

How to Fix

Rebuild the CCU: replace all electrolytic capacitors, and critically, neutralize and clean off the leaked acid (skipping the cleaning lets trace corrosion continue under the solder mask), then repair any lifted traces and cold joints. Specialists such as ScienceOfSpeed offer a rebuild/exchange service. Also check the blower transistor/resistor and blower relay, which can be collateral damage.

Typical repair cost:$200 - $600

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026

On the 1991-1999 Honda NSX, the first-gen NSX uses a Nissin high-pressure ABS (ALB) system shared conceptually with the traction control. The gas-charged accumulator sphere loses its charge with age, so stored pressure bleeds down and the pump must cycle far more often; ultimately the system can't hold pressure. When the pump can't develop or sense enough pressure it runs continuously (then times out) and lights the yellow ABS lamp. A leaking accumulator/modulator is the cause roughly 99% of the time for low fluid and pump overrun. Faulty pressure sensors, a low-mounted pump motor whose wiring is prone to rodent chewing, and contaminated fluid (a vent hole in the reservoir cap sits behind the radiator fan) are common contributors. Because ABS and TCS share hydraulics, an ABS fault often disables traction control too.

Common Symptoms

  • Yellow ABS warning light on the dash
  • ABS pump running continuously / pump overrun
  • Traction control (TCS) light on / TCS inoperative
  • Low brake fluid warning or dirty fluid

How to Fix

Diagnose via the built-in self-diagnosis, pressure sensor resistance check, and inspecting the accumulator and pump wiring. Do NOT disassemble the accumulator; it is pressurized. Fixes range from replacing the pressure sensor or accumulator to a full modulator rebuild. Independent brake specialists rebuild the modulator (historically ~$795); complete alternate/replacement units have been sourced around $1,500. Flushing to fresh clean brake fluid and protecting the pump wiring are basic preventives.

Typical repair cost:$795 - $1,800

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026

On the 1991-1999 Honda NSX, the hydraulic clutch on the manual first-gen NSX develops leaks at both the master and slave cylinders as the internal seals age and fluid gets dirty. A leaking master can also weep brake fluid into the footwell, and internal seal bypass makes the clutch fail to fully disengage (hard to select gears, grinding into 1st/reverse). The slave commonly leaks at the cylinder bore or a pinched O-ring on the hose connection. It is an age/mileage wear item affecting cars across the 1991-1999 run, and it is often mistaken for clutch wear.

Common Symptoms

  • Clutch pedal sinks to the floor or feels soft/spongy
  • Clutch won't fully disengage; grinding into 1st or reverse
  • Fluid leak at the slave cylinder or into the driver footwell
  • Falling clutch/brake reservoir fluid level

How to Fix

Replace the clutch master and slave cylinders (best done as a pair) with OEM units and bleed the system with fresh fluid; inspect and replace the connecting hose O-ring. The slave alone is a straightforward 1-2 hour job on jackstands. Parts are modest; total commonly runs $350-$900 depending on whether one or both cylinders and shop labor are involved.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • Genuine Acura 46920-SL0-A01 clutch master cylinder
    OEMAcura 46920-SL0-A01

    Master-cylinder branch when external leakage or internal bypass is confirmed Fitment/availability: 1991-1999 U.S. Confirm VIN and pedal/reservoir hardware condition.

    Teknotik
  • Genuine Acura 46930-SL0-003 clutch slave cylinder
    OEMAcura 46930-SL0-003

    Slave-cylinder branch when leakage, sticking or bore/seal failure is confirmed Fitment/availability: 1991-1999 U.S. Confirm VIN and current stock.

    Honda Acura Online
  • Genuine Acura 91352-SD4-000 clutch-hose O-ring
    OEMAcura 91352-SD4-000

    Confirm the joint and procedure by VIN.

    Bernardi Parts
  • Genuine Honda 08798-9008 Heavy Duty DOT 3 brake/clutch fluid, 12 oz
    OEMHonda 08798-9008

    Acura NSX manual clutch system specifies Honda Heavy Duty DOT 3; determine quantity from the service procedure and do not use DOT 5 or reuse drained fluid.

    Honda Parts Connection

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Typical repair cost:$350 - $900

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda NSX problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1993 Honda NSX has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Cooling System Age Failures: Cracked Radiator End Tanks and Overheating, Timing Belt / Water Pump Service on an Interference Engine, Climate Control Unit (CCU) Capacitor Leakage and Board Failure. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Honda NSX reliable?

The 1993 Honda NSX has 5 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Cooling System Age Failures: Cracked Radiator End Tanks and Overheating and Timing Belt / Water Pump Service on an Interference Engine. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Honda NSX problems?

Repair costs for known Honda NSX issues range from $200 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Cooling System Age Failures: Cracked Radiator End Tanks and Overheating, typically costs $900-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1991-1999 Honda NSX Cooling System Age Failures: Cracked Radiator End Tanks and Overheating?

The all-aluminum C30A/C32B is sensitive to overheating, and the factory cooling system is now decades old. The original radiator's plastic end tanks become brittle from years of heat cycling and crack at the seams/hose outlets, while original rubber hoses, a tired thermostat, wea… Repairs typically run $900-$2,500. Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1999 Honda NSX Timing Belt / Water Pump Service on an Interference Engine?

The C30A and C32B are interference engines: if the timing belt breaks or jumps, valves contact pistons and the engine is destroyed. The belt and the water pump (driven by the belt) are age/mileage wear items with a service interval of roughly 7 years or ~90,000-105,000 miles rega… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,500. Severity: high.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

What is the 1991-1999 Honda NSX Climate Control Unit (CCU) Capacitor Leakage and Board Failure?

The dash-mounted Climate Control Unit is a chronic first-gen NSX failure. Over the decades the factory electrolytic capacitors on the CCU circuit board dry out and leak corrosive electrolyte onto the PCB, eating copper traces and cracking solder joints, and the electrolyte can cr… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.

What is the 1991-1999 Honda NSX ABS/TCS Accumulator and Pump Overrun Failure (NA1)?

The first-gen NSX uses a Nissin high-pressure ABS (ALB) system shared conceptually with the traction control. The gas-charged accumulator sphere loses its charge with age, so stored pressure bleeds down and the pump must cycle far more often; ultimately the system can't hold pres… Repairs typically run $795-$1,800. Severity: medium.

What is the 1991-1999 Honda NSX Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder Hydraulic Leaks?

The hydraulic clutch on the manual first-gen NSX develops leaks at both the master and slave cylinders as the internal seals age and fluid gets dirty. A leaking master can also weep brake fluid into the footwell, and internal seal bypass makes the clutch fail to fully disengage (… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: low.