AcuraNSX2001Overview/acura/nsx/2001/base/

2001 Acura NSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 NSX.

The 2001 Acura NSX represents a high-performance sports car built on a mid-engine platform, with maintenance specifications calling for 5.3 quarts of 10W-30 API-grade engine oil—a detail reflecting the precision engineering of its hand-built V6 powerplant. Across the NSX model's production span from 1991 to 2001, the 2001 model year demonstrates exceptional reliability with just one total owner complaint filed and zero recalls issued, positioning it alongside the 1994 model as the lowest-complaint years in the nameplate's three-decade complaint history tracked through 2021. This complaint profile stands in contrast to the model's peak complaint year of 2017, which accumulated six reported issues, suggesting that early-production NSX examples like the 2001 benefited from simpler electronics and fewer integrated systems that became more prevalent in later model years. For researchers evaluating ownership burden and long-term durability, the 2001 NSX's complaint and recall record indicates a vehicle whose fundamental design and drivetrain architecture delivered on Acura's reliability commitments during this era.

Model year202220212020201920182017200520042001

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
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire size215-45ZR16, REAR: 245-40ZR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ, REAR: 8.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height46.1 in
Wheelbase99.6 in
Curb weight3164 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.2 in

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.

4.8–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 1997 T Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002Coupe 3.2L V65.00 sec13.10 sec290 hpRWD
2002Coupe 3.2L V65.00 sec13.40 sec290 hpRWD
1997T Coupe 3.2L V64.80 sec13.40 sec290 hpRWD
1997T Coupe 3.2L V64.80 sec13.30 sec290 hpRWD
1997T Coupe 3.2L V65.20 sec13.60 sec290 hpRWD
2005T Coupe 3.2L V65.00 sec13.50 sec290 hpRWD
1996T Coupe 3.0L V65.80 sec14.30 sec270 hpRWD
1995T Coupe 3.0L V65.20 sec13.80 sec270 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. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Power Steering FluidHONDA TYPE V OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)AT: 780, MT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)AT: 780, MT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.34-.42 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance17,100-20,900 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.76-1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.33 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-53.0 psi
Engine Compression142

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.905 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.905 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.826 in

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; spark plugs at 105,000 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Final Drive (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miFinal Drive (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2001 NSX records just one complaint across Engine & Engine Cooling and Seat Belts, with zero recalls and zero investigations, placing it among the quietest years in the federal record. Its 22 TSBs exceed the 1991–1994 NA1 range of 13–17, suggesting heightened service communication for the facelifted NA2 model, though the data doesn't specify the root cause of the lone complaint. By contrast, the 20172021 generation shows a sharp rise in recall activity (1–3 per year) and TSB volume (25–127), while complaint counts remain similarly low. The 2001 model year sits at a favorable inflection point: it avoids the early NA1 teething period and predates the modern recall surge, with no crash or fire complaints recorded. For a buyer prioritizing documented federal history, the 2001 represents a strong vintage with minimal regulatory flags and manageable service bulletin volume.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
22
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.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Seat Belts1

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 22 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
BJA461672017-01-01EquipmentSending vehicle data to tech line.
B99-0402015-12-08Fuel System, Gasoline"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN UPDATES THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES FOR DTC P1456…
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
08-0262008-05-31EquipmentLOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL ACURA VEHICLES. *PE
12052005-12-16Power TrainTRANSMISSION GRINDS AT SHIFTS, SKIP SHIFTING. *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 2001 NSX take?

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

Does the 2001 NSX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.