AcuraNSX2003Overview/acura/nsx/2003/base/

2003 Acura NSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 NSX.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2003 Acura NSX is a passenger‑car sports model built on a purpose‑designed platform that houses a mid‑mounted engine requiring 5.3 qt of 10W‑30 API oil. Its reliability record shows six total owner complaints over its production span, with the majority relating to tires and no recalls reported. Within the broader complaint history from 1991 to 2021, the 2003 model year sits at the upper end of complaint volume, matching the highest count of six complaints recorded in 2017 while remaining well above the single‑complaint low seen in 1994.

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.

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
2005T Coupe 3.2L V65.00 sec13.50 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

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 Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.

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 3,750 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 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 3,750 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (clean) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
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)
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 2003 model year occupies the final phase of the first-generation NSX timeline, situated between the 2001 data point—which recorded merely one complaint and zero recalls—and the 2017 second-generation launch marked by significantly elevated federal activity including 127 TSBs and three recalls. Across the first generation’s documented history, complaints demonstrate a clear downward trajectory from five filings in 1991 to one by 2001, with recalls appearing solely in the 1991 model year and absent thereafter through 2001. Specific to 2003, federal data identifies two crash-related complaints and zero fire incidents, with tire issues constituting the primary grievance category at two cases, alongside single reports involving steering/air bags, air bags, and hydraulic service brakes; the data does not specify root causes for these reported incidents. This model year predates the substantial spike in technical service bulletins and recall campaigns that define the 2017–2021 second-generation period. Given its placement within a low-complaint, recall-free arc of the first generation—coupled with minimal reported incidents for the year itself—2003 presents as a favorable acquisition candidate within the NSX lineage.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
11
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Tires2
Steering,Air Bags1
Air Bags1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Exterior Lighting1

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 11 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-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…

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 2003 NSX take?

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

Does the 2003 NSX have open recalls?

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