AcuraNSX2005Overview/acura/nsx/2005/base/

2005 Acura NSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 NSX.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2005 Acura NSX is classified as a passenger car and, like its predecessors, relies on a 5.3‑quart oil capacity with a 10W‑30 API viscosity to maintain its power‑train health. Its ownership record is notably clean, registering only a single complaint that centered on structure and tires and recording zero recalls. Within the broader 1991‑2021 complaint timeline, the 2005 model falls near the lower end of reported issues, approaching the historic low of one complaint seen in 1994. Consequently, this year is regarded as one of the more reliable points in the NSX’s overall service history.

Model year202220212020201920182017200520042003

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 size215-40YR17, REAR: 255-40YR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ, REAR: 9-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height46.1 in
Wheelbase100 in
Curb weight3153 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)42/58

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.

5.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2005 T Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005T Coupe 3.2L V65.00 sec13.50 sec290 hpRWD
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
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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt

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
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Main Bearings29 ft-lbs
Main Bearings29 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

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 (With Vacuum)57.0-64.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 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

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11614 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
147 ft. lbs., step 2: 6047 ft. lbs

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 at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 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)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 180,000 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 2005 Acura NSX represents the final year of the first-generation production run, arriving after a clear downward trend in federal complaints—from 5 in 1991 to just 1 by 2001—and no recalls or investigations since 1992. The target year itself records only a single complaint in the Structure/Tires category, with zero crash or fire incidents, underscoring the model’s mature, debugged state. In stark contrast, the second-generation NSX (2017 onward) saw a spike to 6 complaints, multiple recalls (up to 3 per year), and a surge in TSBs, making the 2005’s quiet record stand out as exceptionally clean. The data does not specify a root cause for the lone 2005 complaint. This year falls at the very end of a refined arc, implying a well-sorted vehicle with minimal risk, and it is a strong candidate for purchase based on its negligible federal record.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
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.

Structure,Tires1

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 10 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…
DLR MSG - Acura2014-08-06Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
DLR MSG - Stop S2014-07-23Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
SB-12-0012012-01-12Electrical SystemACURA: UPDATE ON SOME MODEL VEHICLES REGARDING TESTING OF ALTERNATORS WITH THE GR8…

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 2005 NSX take?

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

Does the 2005 NSX have open recalls?

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