1992-1994 Acura Vigor Problems: 1 Issues Every Owner Should Know
1992-1994 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated May 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1992-1994 Acura Vigor has 1 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Timing belt + water pump + tensioner at 90k mi — G25A1 is interference, valves bend if it snaps ($550-$1,500 repair). Across all issues, repair costs range from $550 to $1,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
All 1 Known Issues
On the 1992-1994 Acura Vigor 2.5L I5 G25A1, the Vigor's 2.5L 20-valve SOHC inline-5 (G25A1) is an unusual engine — Acura's only 5-cylinder, mounted longitudinally to fit between the Integra and Legend slots. Like every other Honda V6/I5 of the era, it's an interference engine: timing belt failure means valves crash into pistons. Honda's interval is 90,000 miles or 6 years. The original belts on 1992-1994 Vigors have all aged out. The same hydraulic tensioner used on the C-series V6s is on this engine and has the same wear-out pattern. The water pump weep is the most common warning sign — coolant pooling at the base of the timing cover means the seal is gone and you need to do the full job.
Common Symptoms
- Coolant pooling at base of timing cover (water pump weep)
- Squealing or rumble from front of engine (tensioner bearing)
- Engine cranks but won't start after parking it overnight
- Loud metallic clatter on attempted start (valves struck pistons)
- Visible cracks or shiny glazed surface on belt when inspected
How to Fix
Full timing kit replacement: belt + hydraulic tensioner + water pump + idler + all front seals + accessory belts as one job. A complete Aisin or Allied Motor Parts kit for the G25A1 runs $150-250. Labor at an independent: $400-700. Total: $550-950. Dealer: $1,000-1,500. The job takes ~6-8 hours because the 5-cylinder is longitudinally mounted and accessory removal is fiddlier than a transverse V6. ONLY use the OEM Honda tensioner or Aisin — the import-brand tensioners on AliExpress / cheap Amazon kits routinely fail within 10k miles on this engine.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
- UpgradeAllied Motor Parts or Aisin G25A1 complete kit — $150-250. Includes belt, tensioner, water pump, seals. (Aisin Acura Vigor 2.5L Timing Belt Kit)
- NoteSkip the $40 cheap-import kits. Aftermarket tensioners on the G25A1 routinely fail within 10k miles. Pay for Aisin or OEM Honda — labor cost dwarfs the parts savings.