AcuraNSX1994Overview/acura/nsx/1994/base/

1994 Acura NSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 NSX.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Acura NSX, specified here with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA-rated 16 city/22 highway mpg for an 18 combined average, operates with a 5.3-quart engine oil capacity requiring 10W-30 API viscosity. Beyond these mechanical baselines, this model year occupies a uniquely distinguished position within the NSX's 1991–2021 production history. Registering zero recalls and just a single total owner complaint regarding hydraulic service brakes, the 1994 model marks the lowest-complaint year on record, establishing it as the most trouble-free iteration of the platform for researchers to evaluate.

Model year202220212020201920182017200520041994

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
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.2 in

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 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 1994 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
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
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) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
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 federal record traces a clear downward trend in complaints and recalls from the 1991 launch year, which logged five complaints, one recall, and one investigation, through 1992 with two complaints, and into 1994. The 1994 model sits at the low point of that first-generation arc with only one complaint, zero recalls, zero investigations, and thirteen TSBs, down from one recall and one investigation in 1991 and fewer complaints than both 1991 and 1992. Its sole reported issue is categorized under Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with zero crash and zero fire complaints, though the data does not specify a root cause. Relative to the 2001 model year, 1994 carries an equal complaint count but fewer TSBs, reinforcing its position as the quietest first-generation year in the record. Given its absence of recalls and investigations and a complaint count tied for the lowest in that generation, 1994 represents a particularly strong year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
070120052005-07-01Electrical SystemSPEEDOMETER SHOPS CAN TRANSFER ODOMETER MILEAGE. ACURA. SERVICENEWS. *TT
050120042004-05-01EquipmentAUDIO UNIT AND NAVI ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON IN. ACURA SERVICENEWS. MAY 2004. *TT
9032003-09-16Power TrainHARD TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR, GRINDS INTO REVERSE. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
0901032003-09-01TiresSPARE TIRE INSPECTION. ACURA SERVICENEWS. *TT

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 1994 NSX take?

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

Does the 1994 NSX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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.