2003 ACURA NSX

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: transmission fluid pooling under engine bay, burnt fluid smell, slipping shifts if fluid level drops, overheating transmission under hard use

Fix: The rubber lines feeding the external oil cooler crack and weep, then blow. Replacement requires dropping subframe or significant disassembly to access lines. 4-6 hours labor plus lines and fresh fluid. Do NOT defer—total fluid loss kills the transmission.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: clunking on throttle tip-in or lift-off, excessive drivetrain movement felt through chassis, vibration at idle in gear, misalignment causing shift linkage issues

Fix: Rubber transmission mounts collapse over time, especially with spirited driving. Replacement requires supporting the transaxle and unbolting old mounts. 3-4 hours labor. Often done alongside other rear-end work to save access time.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi

Symptoms: coolant consumption without external leaks, white residue around head mating surface, overheating under load, rough idle if internal coolant entering combustion chamber

Fix: The C-series V6 can develop head gasket seepage, often at rear cylinders. Requires heads-off rebuild: machine work, new gaskets, timing belt service while in there, valve job recommended. 16-24 hours labor depending on machine shop turnaround. Do timing belt, water pump, and all coolant hoses simultaneously.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Symptoms: rod knock on cold start that quiets when warm, oil pressure drop at idle, metallic ticking under load, metal shavings in oil filter

Fix: Track-driven or poorly-maintained NSXs can spin bearings. Requires complete bottom-end teardown: crank inspection, bearing replacement, possibly line-boring. If crank is scored, you're into full rebuild or short block replacement territory. 30-40 hours labor plus machine work. These engines are interference—bearing failure means piston and valve damage too.

Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: hesitation under full throttle, stumbling at high RPM, hard starting when hot, fuel pressure drop during pulls

Fix: The in-tank fuel pump and filter assembly can clog or fail, starving the engine under load. Filter is non-serviceable separately; requires pump replacement. Tank must be dropped. 4-5 hours labor. Use OEM pump—aftermarket units cause idle surge and limp mode.

Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800

Typical onset: 70,000+ mi

Symptoms: windows moving slowly or stopping mid-travel, one-touch auto function stops working, grinding noise from door, window tilts or binds in channel

Fix: The window regulator motors and plastic guides wear out. Requires door panel removal and regulator R&R. 2-3 hours per side. Not safety-critical but annoying and expensive due to NLA parts—many owners retrofit or rebuild existing units.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400 per side

Typical onset: 60,000+ mi or 15+ years

Symptoms: coolant weeping from hose ends, expansion tank stress cracks around filler neck, overheating after spirited driving, sweet coolant smell in cabin

Fix: All rubber coolant hoses and the plastic expansion tank become brittle with age. Do them all at once: main hoses, heater hoses, throttle body coolant lines, expansion tank. 6-8 hours labor for comprehensive replacement. Timing belt service is ideal time to knock this out.

Estimated cost: $1,500-2,500