Used Acura Integra 5th Gen (2023-2025): Buyer's Guide

The 2023 Acura Integra filed 204 NHTSA complaints about steering in its first full model year. That's not a number you see on a brand-new luxury compact. It triggered a recall covering 2023 through 2025 models, and it's the single most important thing to verify before handing over money for one.

The good news: Acura fixed it. The recall (24V744000) replaces the worm gear spring and redistributes grease in the EPS gearbox, free of charge. Most cars have had it done. But "most" isn't "all," and a used Integra with an open recall on its steering is a car you should not drive until the dealer completes it.

That's the Integra in a nutshell. Outstanding platform. Honda DNA under the skin. First-year quality stumbles that the 2024 and 2025 cleaned up considerably. Know what to look for and this is one of the sharpest used compacts you can buy right now for under $30,000.

This Generation at a Glance

The 5th generation Acura Integra arrived in 2023, resurrecting a nameplate that had been gone since 2001. It's built on the ZF4 platform — the same architecture as the 11th-generation Honda Civic, with a 107.7-inch wheelbase. The body is longer and heavier than the Civic, with unique panels, a hatchback liftgate, and a more substantial interior.

Three core powertrains cover the range:

The Type S launched as a 2024 model year vehicle — it arrived at dealers in June 2023 but carries a 2024 VIN. No 2023 VIN Integra is a Type S.

The mid-cycle refresh is minimal. For 2025, Acura changed almost nothing. For 2026 (current new model), the base trim gets a 9-inch screen and wireless CarPlay as standard. That update doesn't exist in used inventory yet and shouldn't factor into your used car decision.

Year pages: 2023 | 2024 | 2025

Powertrain and Trim Breakdown

1.5T with CVT (Base and A-Spec trims)

The 1.5T paired with the AV-S7 CVT is the volume seller and the one you'll see most often on used lots. It produces 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft, which is enough for a compact this size. The CVT mimics a 7-speed with paddle shifters, and most owners report it's one of the better CVT implementations on the market. It's not enthusiast hardware, but it doesn't feel like punishment either.

The oil dilution issue is real but manageable. The 1.5T is a direct-injection engine, and under cold-start conditions with short trips, unburned fuel can work its way into the oil. This is the same issue documented extensively on 10th and 11th-gen Civic 1.5Ts. Owners on AcuraZine.com and IntegraForums.com consistently recommend 5,000-mile oil change intervals rather than stretching to Acura's 10,000-mile maintenance minder. If you mostly drive short trips in cold weather, change oil more often. The engine doesn't fail from this — it just shortens component life when ignored.

GDI carbon buildup is a future maintenance item, not a current emergency. Direct injection engines don't wash their intake valves with fuel, so carbon deposits accumulate over time. On the 1.5T family, walnut blasting is typically needed between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Cost is $300-$500 at a Honda/Acura dealer. Factor this into your long-term ownership math.

Recall 23V430000 (VSA modulator) affects 2023 CVT and manual cars. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist modulator may leak brake fluid. Symptom: unintended movement when brake hold is engaged, or increased brake pedal travel. Dealers replaced the modulator under recall. Verify it's done via VIN lookup before buying any 2023.

Reliability score (2023): 63/100. Reliability score (2024): 68/100. The steering complaints account for most of the 2023 gap. If the steering recall is complete, the remaining 2023 cars are substantially cleaner than that score implies.

1.5T with 6-speed Manual (A-Spec w/ Technology Package only)

The 6MT is not available on every A-Spec. This is the most common buying mistake on the used market. The manual transmission only comes bundled with the A-Spec w/ Technology Package — a specific trim configuration that also includes the larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, adaptive damper system, HUD, and ELS audio upgrade. A regular A-Spec without the Technology Package is CVT only. Always confirm what you're actually looking at.

The 6MT on the 1.5T is a rev-matching manual. Gear throws are precise and short. Owners consistently describe it as the sweet spot: engaging to drive, 30 mpg combined, and a more manageable price than the Type S. The clutch feel is direct and progressive, not heavy.

The manual version skips one recall: 23V430000 (VSA modulator) was specific to certain 2023 units, and coverage varies by VIN. The steering gearbox recall (24V744000) covers both manual and CVT cars across all three model years. Verify this is done regardless of transmission.

Long-term reliability on the 6MT version is very good based on forum reports through 2025. No powertrain-specific failure patterns have emerged distinct from the CVT version's oil dilution concern.

2.0T with 6-speed Manual (Type S — 2024 and 2025 only)

The Type S uses the K20C4 engine from the Civic Type R. 320 horsepower, 310 lb-ft, front helical LSD, Brembo front brakes. Six-speed manual only. No automatic option exists.

The coolant expansion tank is a known weak point. The plastic tank seam can fail, leaking coolant onto the engine bay. Some Type S units experienced this as early as 1,500 miles. Honda typically replaces it under warranty, but the part is frequently on backorder. IntegraForums.com has a dedicated multi-page thread on this issue; the forum's consensus is that Honda has not updated the part design despite repeated failures on earlier Civic Type R (FK8) models. If buying a used Type S, inspect the expansion tank and ask about service history. Aftermarket aluminum replacements from PRL Motorsports and Mishimoto are popular upgrades among owners who want to solve this permanently.

Early 2024 Type S units had error code clusters. Multiple owners on IntegraForums.com reported simultaneous VSA warnings, rev match errors, and service engine lights appearing shortly after purchase. Most were traced to sensor calibration issues that dealers resolved under warranty. Buy a 2024 Type S with a clean CarFax and no pending service visits if possible.

The Type S holds its value differently than the standard Integra. A used 2024 Type S typically lists at $38,000-$45,000 depending on mileage and options. The standard 2023 Integra, by contrast, has depreciated about 31% from MSRP and retails around $22,000-$24,000 as of mid-2026. If you're considering the Type S at $40k, remember that a new 2026 Integra Type S lists at around $55,000. The two-year-old car at 73% of new money isn't as large a discount as the standard Integra offers.

One forum owner with 2,500 miles on a 2024 Type S described it as "an FWD S2000" — the shifter feel and chassis response drew that comparison repeatedly in enthusiast communities. The driving experience is not in dispute. The question is whether the first-generation reliability kinks are things you want to navigate.

Trim-Specific Notes

The standard Integra runs four configurations:

• Base: 17-inch wheels, LED lighting, moonroof, 7-inch touchscreen, 8-speaker audio, heated seats, CVT only. No tech upgrades, no adaptive dampers.
• A-Spec: 18-inch wheels, black exterior trim, rear spoiler, sport interior styling, CVT only.
• A-Spec w/ Technology Package: Adds 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, ELS Studio 3 audio (16 speakers), adaptive damper system, HUD, Wi-Fi hotspot. Only trim where 6MT is available on the 1.5T engine.
• Type S: Separate sport model with 2.0T engine, Brembo brakes, front LSD, specific suspension tuning.

Worth paying for: A-Spec w/ Technology Package. The adaptive damper system meaningfully improves ride quality over the base suspension. The ELS audio upgrade is excellent. And if you want a 6MT without committing to a Type S, this is the only path. Used examples trade at $25,000-$28,000 versus $22,000-$24,000 for base and A-Spec, and the feature gap is substantial.

Skip: Base trim for enthusiast use. The base with CVT is a capable commuter, but the 17-inch wheels look undersized on the Integra's proportions, and the 7-inch screen ages poorly. If you're buying an Integra for the driving experience, you're leaving things on the table with the base.

Type S premium reality check. The Type S costs roughly $15,000-$20,000 more than a comparable used A-Spec w/ Technology. For that money, you get 120 more horsepower, Brembo brakes, and a front LSD. If you're tracking it or driving mountain roads frequently, that's a reasonable trade. For daily use, the A-Spec w/ Technology manual delivers 90% of the fun at 60% of the price.

Which Model Year to Target Within This Generation

2023: Three open recalls on launch-year cars: VSA modulator (23V430000), steering gearbox (24V744000), seat cushion frame (24V859000). The steering issue generated 204 NHTSA complaints — the highest volume of any complaint category for this car. Many 2023s have had all three campaigns completed, but confirm via VIN before you buy. Upside: the most aggressive depreciation. A 2023 base is 31% off MSRP.

2024: Added the Type S, addressed the steering recall in new production, and carries two remaining recalls (steering and seat cushion). Reliability score improved to 68/100 from 63/100. This is the sweet spot if you want a Type S. A 2024 standard Integra has depreciated about 27% and is priced similarly to a 2023, making the 2024 the better buy at similar prices.

2025: One outstanding recall (steering gearbox) and the cleanest owner satisfaction record of the three model years. Pricing is still high relative to 2023-2024 used examples, but the premium over a 2024 has narrowed as more 2025s enter the used market. Lease returns are starting to appear.

The sweet spot for the standard Integra: a 2024 A-Spec w/ Technology with the 6MT, with the steering recall verified complete and under 30,000 miles. Prices for this configuration run $25,000-$28,000 as of mid-2026.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

All Trims

• Run the VIN through a recall check at /tools/recall-lookup. Three recalls cover this generation. The steering recall (24V744000) is the most important to verify. If it's open, do not drive the car hard until it's completed.
• Test the steering cold and hot. Start the car from cold and assess steering feel on your first turn out of the parking lot. Stiffness that appears at low speeds and doesn't improve after warming up is consistent with the EPS gearbox defect. Acura dealers confirm this feel as abnormal.
• Smell the oil. Pull the dipstick on a warmed-up engine. A faint fuel smell is common and not necessarily an emergency, but a strong fuel smell or gray, diluted-looking oil means the oil change interval is being stretched. Change the oil before driving it more.
• Check for interior rattles. Some Integra units had panel gaps and loose interior trim from the factory. Drive over a bumpy surface and listen for any clicks or creaks from the dash or door panels. Not a safety issue, but a negotiation point.
• Verify seat cushion frame recall (24V859000) on 2023-2024 cars. The driver's seat may not have been properly secured during assembly. Confirm via VIN lookup.

1.5T Manual Specific

• Ask about oil change history. Manual drivers tend to push their cars harder, which accelerates fuel dilution in the 1.5T on short trips. Confirm a documented history of oil changes at or under 5,000-mile intervals.
• Test the clutch for proper engagement. Clutch replacement on a front-drive compact starts around $800-$1,200. A clutch that slips under hard acceleration or grabs low in the pedal travel may be wearing out.

Type S Specific

• Inspect the coolant expansion tank seam. Look at the translucent plastic tank visible in the engine bay. Check the horizontal seam where the two halves join. Any staining, dried coolant deposits, or soft spots indicate a prior leak. Ask for service records for any coolant-related warranty work.
• Ask about error code history. Early 2024 Type S units reported simultaneous VSA, rev match, and service engine warnings. If a CarFax shows multiple service visits for electrical or stability control issues in the first 5,000 miles, dig deeper before buying.
• Check brake rotor wear. Brembo brakes are excellent but relatively expensive to replace. Rotors run $250-$350 per axle for OEM units. Inspect for grooves, hot spots, or uneven wear consistent with aggressive driving.

Running Costs

Acura owners spend roughly $500 per year on repair costs on average, against a $650 industry average. For the 1.5T, that tracks. The Type S costs more to maintain due to high-performance brake fluid and more expensive consumables (brake pads, clutch wear at performance driving pace).

At 60,000-100,000 miles, budget $300-$500 for intake valve walnut blasting on any 1.5T or 2.0T engine. This is not optional — it's a consequence of direct injection and needs to be done whether you buy new or used.

Acura's warranty is better than Honda's: 4 years/50,000 miles basic (Honda is 3/36,000), with 6 years/70,000 miles powertrain. A 2023 with under 47,000 miles still has factory powertrain coverage.

FAQ

Is the 2023 Acura Integra reliable? The 2023 has the worst reliability score in the generation (63/100) due to 204 NHTSA steering complaints. The underlying steering gearbox recall has been issued and is covered free by Acura dealers. A 2023 with all three recalls completed is substantially more sound than the raw score implies. Verify the recalls before buying, not after.

Can I get the Acura Integra with a manual transmission? Yes, but only on one specific trim configuration. The 6-speed manual is available only on the A-Spec w/ Technology Package for the 1.5T engine. The base and regular A-Spec trims are CVT only. The Type S is 6MT only with the 2.0T engine. No 2023, 2024, or 2025 Integra combines a manual with the base trim.

Is the Acura Integra Type S the same as the Honda Civic Type R? The Type S uses the same K20C4 2.0T engine as the Civic Type R and shares significant mechanical architecture. The Acura gets a longer wheelbase, different suspension tuning, a more upscale interior, and a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty (versus Honda's 3-year/36,000-mile coverage). The Civic Type R is sharper and lighter; the Type S is more refined. The known coolant expansion tank issue carries over from the FK8 Civic Type R to the Type S.

What year Acura Integra should I buy? For the standard 1.5T: target a 2024 with the steering recall complete. The reliability score is better than 2023, the price is similar, and a 2024 A-Spec w/ Technology with 6MT is one of the best used sporty compacts under $30,000 right now. For the Type S: 2024 is the only option with meaningful used supply. Verify the coolant expansion tank and error code history before purchasing.

How long will an Acura Integra last? The 1.5T Honda/Acura engine family has a strong longevity record. Properly maintained examples of the predecessor engines routinely reach 200,000-250,000 miles. The 5th-gen Integra is too new for long-term data, but the platform pedigree supports similar expectations. The key variables are oil change frequency (5,000-mile intervals for the 1.5T), intake valve cleaning at high mileage, and not neglecting the CVT fluid.

Bottom Line

Run every VIN through a recall check before buying. The steering gearbox recall (24V744000) must be completed — don't skip this step on any 2023-2025 Integra. The 2024 A-Spec w/ Technology with the 6-speed manual at $25,000-$28,000 is the sweet spot of this generation: better reliability score than 2023, the only manual available without stepping up to a Type S, and the adaptive damper system that makes the ride actually livable. If the Type S is what you want, budget carefully — the used premium over the standard car is real, and the coolant tank issue is a known first-generation quirk to inspect before purchase.

Track price drops on specific Integra trims and years at CarScout. When the right A-Spec Tech with 6MT hits your target price, you'll know before anyone else does.

Data sourced from NHTSA recalls database, EPA fuel economy data, and real owner experiences from IntegraForums.com, IntegraTalk.com, AcuraZine.com, and CarComplaints.com. See the full Acura Integra market data for pricing and inventory.