AcuraNSX1991Overview/acura/nsx/1991/base/

1991 Acura NSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 NSX.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Acura NSX is configured with a 4-speed automatic transmission and requires 5.3 quarts of 10W-30 API engine oil to maintain its EPA-rated 16/22/18 mpg. This model year maintains a strong reliability record with only five total owner complaints, primarily involving hydraulic service brakes, and a single recall. Within the 1991-2021 model history, the 1991 release remains near the lowest end of owner dissatisfaction, significantly under the 2017 peak of six complaints.

Model year202220212020201920182017200520041991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.6 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height46.1 in
Wheelbase99.6 in
Curb weight3009 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the NSX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2–5.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 1991 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991Coupe 3.0L V65.20 sec13.80 sec270 hpRWD
1991Coupe 3.0L V65.50 sec13.90 sec270 hpRWD
1991Coupe 3.0L V65.50 sec14.00 sec270 hpRWD
1994Coupe 3.0L V65.20 sec13.70 sec270 hpRWD
1995T Coupe 3.0L V65.20 sec13.80 sec270 hpRWD
1995T Coupe 3.0L V65.70 sec14.10 sec270 hpRWD
1996T Coupe 3.0L V65.80 sec14.30 sec270 hpRWD
1997T Coupe 3.2L V64.80 sec13.40 sec290 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Power Steering FluidHONDA TYPE V OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miParking Brake System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (torque)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Acura NSX shows the highest complaint count (5) and the only recall (1) among the early model years documented, with complaints centered on brake hydraulic systems, tires, and powertrain issues, plus one crash-related complaint. Following 1991, the complaint trend sharply declined to 2 in 1992 and just 1 in 1994, while recalls dropped to zero and TSBs fell from 17 to 13, indicating the manufacturer addressed initial teething problems quickly. The single investigation in both 1991 and 1992 suggests federal scrutiny that did not persist into later years. Compared to the 20172021 period where complaints surged alongside dramatically higher recall and TSB volumes (up to 127 TSBs in 2017), the 1991 model year represents the troubled but quickly corrected launch phase of this generation. The 1991 NSX is a solid candidate if inspected thoroughly for the documented brake and tire issues, as the data shows subsequent years in this generation saw meaningful improvement in reliability metrics.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
17
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Tires2
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103001Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific NSX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 NSX take?

5.3 qt of 10W-30 SL, API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 NSX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the NSX get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.