Child Seats

The Owner’s Manual for a 1991 contains a “Child Restraint Systems” section starting on page 9. Read it and consider it, not this NSX Prime FAQ entry, as authoritative.

Tether Attachment Point

One of the items it discusses is the use of a “tether attachment point” (required for forward-facing child seats, BTW). Unlike newer vehicles which have a perminant tether, the NSX (like Hondas/Acuras of it’s day) has an attachment point for a tether. This is located on the bulkhead behind the passenger seat and the manual includes instructions RE cutting the trim to access the attachment point. Another option is to remove the trim while using the attachment point if you don’t want to ruin the trim.
One detail missing is the part number for the tether bracket and bolt. This part is universal for Hondas/Acuras of this vintage, and the number is 82410-SE3-C01.

Airbag / Rear-Facing Seats

While not specifically addressed in the 1991 Owner’s Manual [WIKI should be updated with info from other years] the concensus appears to be that rear-facing child seats can be used in NSXs without air bags (1991 & 1992). No rear-facing seat for 1993+.

Seatbelt tightening instructions

This section is for seats where the seat itself is attached to the car (the kid is held by belts that are part of the seat, not by the car’s seat belts.
Apparently 1995+ passenger seat belts have an automatic locking mechanism that is activated when the belt is pulled all the way out and then let back in (it clicks during retraction when in this mode). So, getting the belt tight is simply a matter of pulling it all the way out first.
Earlier NSXs [not sure exactly what years] do not have this mechanism (doesn’t ratchet once pulled all the way out) but you can still get it to lock securely. Here’s how:
Put passenger seat ALL the way back then put in the child seat and attach the seat belt properly. Next, pull the seat belt as tight as you can (your hand will be up near the headrest, pulling away from seat toward where belt goes into pillar, and you may be kneeling on the child seat) then yank in the opposite direction as fast as you can. That will cause the belt reel to lock-up (until there is slack again). If done right only a small amount of belt will have come back out before it locked up…so the belt will be close to as tight as it was before you yanked. You can then use the seat forward/backward switch to move the seat forward to get the belt to desired tension (and keep it tensioned so the belt doesn’t unlock).

Old FAQ Entries

[FG] One thing that the Honda passenger SRS system has going for it is that they are indirect systems – i.e. they major force of the explosion is upwards. Put that with the fact that the NSX pass. seat, when pushed all the way back, is probably further from the airbag than almost any other car I am aware of, I have been able to justify putting my kids in that seat. Just DO NOT put a rear facing seat here. Even for my oldest (6 years), I use a booster seat that gives him a 3-4 point harness. This is just my opinion… what you do is up to you (and your significant other!)
Also, on the 95’s, the pass belt has a built in locking mechanism that is activated when the belt is pulled all the way out and then let back in (it clicks during retraction when in this mode).

Collision Safety

[A/H] The first hard hit NSX that I worked on was hit in the right rear by a Datsun P/U doing about 50 mph. The driver of the NSX was sitting on a city street waiting to get on the freeway onramp. He saw the P/U coming and tried to go to the left around a full size Ford P/U in front of him. The Datsun hit the NSX and pushed it under the Ford. Damage: Right side trunk was gone. Just plastic pieces of phone and CD player. Engine compartment moved about one inch. Engine cover glass: no problem. Right side door: NO PROBLEM, OPEN AND CLOSED PERFECTLY. The front bumper hit the differential of the Ford and bent the leaf spring. The Ford rear bumper hit the “A” pillar on the right side and shattered the front glass. I fixed this car and it is still on the road here at Honda. It is #70. Red Black 5 spd. 65k miles. I also found that if the NSX is put on 4 car stands and if the stands are not exactly the same height and the floor is not very flat then the NSX will rock on 3 stands. This car is very stiff !!
[SBJ – 99/8/14] As a trauma surgeon I actually feel safer in my NSX than in my wife’s Jeep Cherokee, and the bad sportscar crashes I see at the trauma center are usually in younger males driving Detroit muscle cars (same with motorcycles, those who can afford Harleys usually don’t ride crazy and can’t afford to wreck them).