AcuraNSX2021Overview/acura/nsx/2021/base/

2021 Acura NSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 NSX.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S9)

The 2021 Acura NSX pairs its core mechanicals—specified by a 9-speed automated manual transmission, an 8.3-quart 0W-40 oil requirement, and 21/22/21 mpg EPA ratings—with a strong dependability record. Across the nameplate's 1991–2021 complaint history, this model year registers just a single owner complaint categorized under "Unknown or Other" alongside zero recalls. This places the 2021 iteration near the model's historical low for issues, falling well beneath the 2017 peak of six complaints and signifying a notably trouble-free chapter for the vehicle.

Model year202220212020201920182017200520042003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/22/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

Tire size245/30ZR19/XL (93Y), Rear: 305/30ZR20/XL (103Y)OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, Rear: 11 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S9)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width76.4 in
Overall height48 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3803 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)42/58

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 22 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainAll-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.

2.9–3.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 2.90 sec — 2022 Type S Hybrid Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 1.3-kWh3.00 sec11.20 sec573 hpAWD
2022Type S Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec2.90 sec11.00 sec600 hpAWD
2022Type S Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec3.10 sec11.20 sec600 hpAWD
2019Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 1.0-kWh3.10 sec11.30 sec573 hpAWD
2017Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 1.0-kWh3.10 sec11.20 sec573 hpAWD
2017Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 1.0-kWh3.10 sec11.30 sec573 hpAWD
2017Hybrid Coupe 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 1.0-kWh3.10 sec11.20 sec573 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 8.3 qt of 0W-40 engine oil, ATF in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAcura Gear Oil GO-Type 2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.9 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidATF
Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.56 qt
Engine CoolantAcura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)54.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts40 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Transmission in Neutral or Park: 1050 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Transmission in Neutral or Park: 1050 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerAcura
Spark Plug Gap0.0256-0.0276 in
Spark Plug Torque16.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.89-1.0 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil TypeDENSO ND-11

Service checks

Engine Oil Pressure28.9 psi minimum @ Idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM84.1 psi minimum @ 2,500 rpm's rpm

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Put a transmission jack under front tire. Step 3: Extend ball joint fully by raising wheel, tire and knuckle assembly. Step 4: Use an appropriate gauge to measure the gap between the lower arm and the knuckle. Step 5: Replace ball joint if difference between measurements exceeds the specified values.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
132.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 45°, Step 5: 30°, Step 6: Loosen and raise all bolts 0.20", Step 7: 32.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 32.0 ft. lbs., Step 9: 90°, Step 10: 60°, Step 11: Mounting Bolts: Bank 1-Right: 9.0 ft. lbs., Step 12: Mounting Bolts: Bank 2-Left: 18.032 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
19mm Bolts 1-833 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 3,100 miTire & Wheel Assembly (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 2021 Acura NSX is the final model year of the second generation (2017–2021), and the federal record shows a clear downward trend in complaints, recalls, and TSBs across that arc. Starting with 6 complaints and 3 recalls in 2017, the generation improved steadily: 2018 and 2019 each had 0 complaints, and recalls fell to 2 then 1, while TSBs dropped from 127 to 69. By 2020, complaints remained 0 with 1 recall and 39 TSBs, and the 2021 model records only 1 complaint (area unspecified), 0 recalls, 0 crash or fire complaints, and 25 TSBs—the lowest TSB count of the generation. The data does not specify root causes for the single complaint or the ongoing investigation (present each year from 2017–2021), but the consistent reduction in issues suggests Acura refined the NSX over its production run. This makes the 2021 a strong buy for a used example, as it represents the most mature and least problematic year of the second-generation NSX.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
25
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
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.

Unknown Or Other1

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 25 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
BTI&050620229052022-05-06SteeringDealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021…
BTI&041320229022022-04-13SteeringDealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021…
BTI&032820229022022-03-28SteeringDealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021…
BTI&031120229062022-03-11SteeringDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021…
BTI&022320222022-02-23SteeringDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021…

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 2021 NSX take?

8.3 qt of Acura Full Synthetic 0W-40 is preferred. If unavailable Ultimate Full Synthetic 0W-40 Type 3 Motor Oil may be used., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 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 21 city / 22 highway / 21 combined mpg.