VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Acura NSX2017–2022
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Acura NSX
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Acura NSX Years to Avoid
1 recall · 5 complaints
Top issue: AIR BAGS
2 recalls · 1 complaint
Top issue: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the NSX became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Acura NSX — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 84 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 87 | 81 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 86 | 81 | Caution |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 71 | 82 | 75 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 73 | 76 | 74 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 68 | 69 | 68 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Acura NSX Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the NSX compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 81).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 68).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year NSX to buy?+
The 2020 Acura NSX scores highest on our Buyer Score (81/100) — combining a reliability score of 78/100 with a value score of 86/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which NSX years have the most problems?+
The 2017, 2019, 2018 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2017 NSX leads with 1 recalls and 5 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common NSX problems?+
The most frequently reported Acura NSX issues involve: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, STRUCTURE:BODY. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.