The 2004 NSX is Honda's hand-built exotic with legendary reliability, but age and mileage bring predictable wear points. Most issues stem from 20+ year-old rubber, seals, and fluid systems rather than catastrophic failures—if maintained properly, these are some of the most bulletproof performance cars ever made.
Transmission Snap Ring Failure (1991-1997 primarily, but verify serial)
Rare · high severitySymptoms: Sudden loss of all gears except 2nd and 5th, Metallic grinding or clunking from transmission, Complete transmission lockup without warning
Fix: Transmission removal, case splitting, snap ring replacement with updated part. 12-16 hours labor. Many 2004s had this addressed under extended warranty, but verify your VIN's snap ring range before purchase.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddles under car after parking, Transmission overheating warnings or harsh shifts, Visible fluid weeping from cooler lines near radiator
Fix: Replace both cooler hoses and clamps preventively—original rubber hardens and cracks. 2-3 hours labor, straightforward access. Do NOT ignore; running low on ATF kills the transmission.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Window Regulator Slow or Failed Operation
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000+ mi
Symptoms: Windows move very slowly or stop mid-travel, Grinding or clicking noise from door when operating window, Window drops into door panel
Fix: Window regulator mechanism wears out; plastic guides and motor brushes fail. 3-4 hours per side with door panel removal. OEM parts are NLA for some components—aftermarket or used-JDM options required.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 per side
Climate Control Unit Capacitor Failure
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: A/C or heater blower stops working intermittently or completely, Climate control display goes blank or flickers, System works only on certain fan speeds
Fix: Main climate control board has capacitors that dry out. Board removal and capacitor replacement—1.5-2 hours for someone experienced with soldering, or send out for rebuild. DIY-friendly if you have basic electronics skills.
Estimated cost: $300-600 (rebuild service) or $50-100 DIY
Engine Oil Consumption (Piston Ring Wear)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 120,000+ mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or deceleration, Carbon buildup on exhaust tips
Fix: High-mileage C30A/C32B engines can burn oil from worn piston rings, especially if driven hard or serviced late. Full engine-out rebuild with rings, bearings, and gaskets—40-50 hours labor. Some owners live with it and just top off oil between changes.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000 for full rebuild
Coolant Hose and O-Ring Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant smell in cabin or under car, Slight coolant loss requiring top-off every few months, Visible green residue on hoses or engine block near thermostat housing
Fix: Multiple coolant hoses, o-rings, and the infamous thermostat housing o-rings deteriorate. Address as a full cooling system refresh—replace all hoses, clamps, thermostat, and o-rings. 6-8 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
ABS Pump Failure
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: ABS warning light stays on, No ABS function during braking, Hard brake pedal or delayed brake response
Fix: ABS pump motor or accumulator fails. OEM units are discontinued; used JDM units or rebuild services are only options. 3-4 hours labor. Conventional braking still works, but ABS loss is significant on a performance car.
Estimated cost: $1,500-3,000 (used pump + install)
Timing Belt and Water Pump Service Neglect
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 90,000+ mi or 7+ years
Symptoms: Belt breakage causes immediate valve-to-piston contact (interference engine), Catastrophic engine damage requiring full rebuild
Fix: This is preventive: timing belt every 90k/7 years with water pump, tensioner, and all seals. If previous owner skipped it and belt snaps, you're looking at full engine rebuild. Timing service alone is 8-10 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $2,000-2,800 (service) or $10,000+ (if belt breaks)
Absolutely buy one used—if it has records, passed snap ring check, and recent timing belt service. Best exotic reliability per dollar, but find a good one or budget heavily for deferred maintenance.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.