1991 ACURA INTEGRA

1.8L I4FWDAUTOMATICgas
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$49,477 maintenance + known platform issues
~$9,895/yr · 820¢/mile equivalent · $32,383 maintenance + $3,394 expected platform issues
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1.5L I4 Turbo
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1.8L I4 VTEC
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1.8L I4 VTEC
Common Problems & Known Issues

The DA-chassis Integra is a reliable Honda platform, but age-related issues dominate: transmission cooler line leaks, worn motor mounts, and oil consumption from tired rings are the big three. Most survivors are high-mileage and need refreshing.

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddles under front of car, transmission slipping or harsh shifts, burnt ATF smell, low fluid level on dipstick
Fix: Metal cooler lines rust through where they connect to the radiator or run along the subframe. Replace both lines and flush system; 2-3 hours labor. Catch it early or you'll cook the transmission.
Estimated cost: $300-600

Worn Engine and Transmission Mounts

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive engine movement during acceleration, clunking when shifting into gear, vibration at idle, drivetrain feels loose or sloppy
Fix: Rubber mounts deteriorate and tear. Front engine mount and rear transmission mount fail most often. Replace all three mounts as a set; 2.5-3.5 hours labor. OEM or quality aftermarket required.
Estimated cost: $400-700

Piston Ring Wear and Oil Consumption

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 150,000-250,000 mi
Symptoms: burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, blue smoke on startup or acceleration, fouled spark plugs, carbon buildup in intake manifold
Fix: B18A1 engines wear rings and valve seals. Minor consumption (1 qt per 1,500 mi) is manageable with frequent top-offs. Major consumption requires engine rebuild or used low-mile engine swap; 12-16 hours labor for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500

Distributor Cap and Rotor Corrosion

Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: intermittent no-start or stalling, misfires in damp weather, rough idle, hesitation under load
Fix: Internal distributor corrosion causes spark issues. Replace cap, rotor, ignition wires, and spark plugs as a maintenance set; 1 hour labor. Common in humid climates or neglected cars.
Estimated cost: $150-300

Fuel Filter Clogging

Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: every 60,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: hesitation or stumbling under acceleration, hard starting, loss of power on highway, fuel pump whining
Fix: Filter lives under car near fuel tank. Replace every 60k miles or when symptoms appear; 0.5-1 hour labor. Often neglected on older cars.
Estimated cost: $80-150

Headlight Switch and Wiring Failure

Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: headlights flickering or cutting out, dash lights intermittent, headlight switch feels hot, burnt plastic smell from dash
Fix: Headlight switch contacts corrode or overheat (NHTSA recalls address this). Replace switch and inspect wiring harness for melted connectors; 1-2 hours labor. Safety issue for night driving.
Estimated cost: $200-400

CV Axle Boot Tears

Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: clicking or popping during turns, grease splatter on wheel wells, vibration during acceleration
Fix: Boots tear, water and dirt get in, joint wears. Catch early and reboot; wait too long and you need full axle replacement. 1.5-2 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $250-500
Owner tips
  • Change transmission fluid every 30k miles with genuine Honda ATF-Z1 — this transmission is sensitive to fluid quality
  • Monitor oil level religiously on high-mileage engines; top off frequently to prevent bearing damage
  • Replace timing belt and water pump every 60k miles; interference engine will destroy valves if belt snaps
  • Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for rust; hose-clamp temporary fixes don't last
Buy it if the oil consumption is reasonable and the transmission shifts clean — otherwise you're looking at major engine or trans work within 20k miles.
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.
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