Typical areas of deterioration problems

The taillights are a typical example of problems with deterioration in the NSX, and as they age, they can cause lens cracks, water ingress, and broken stud bolts. Fortunately, my vehicle did not experience water ingress, but it was generally worn out, so I decided to refresh it and replace it with a later model. The early model harness can be used as is, but the gasket has deteriorated, so I recommend replacing it. The bezel part is also common, so it can be used, but I think it is quite worn out, so I recommend purchasing a new one.

1. I ordered the rear panel unit 75522-SL0-J61 assuming it did not come with an emblem, but it arrived with the NSX-R emblem and bezel, so I ended up with an NSX-R style. 75522-SL0-J61 does not come with the emblem or bezel, and is currently out of production, so I ended up purchasing 75520-SL0-023 with the bezel.

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Purchased late model tail lamp

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Tail lamp removed

1. To remove the tail lamp, first take off the trunk trim. Then remove the 8mm nuts that secure the tail lamp stud bolts from the trunk side. These studs stick out quite far when tightened, so using an 8mm deep socket is essential to avoid difficulty. The tape side of the gasket is only on the tail lamp side, but over time it will stick to the body and you will need to pull it hard to remove it. After transferring the harness and bezel to the purchased lamp, attach the gasket and install it in the reverse order. The upper cushion part is difficult to fit into the body, and if you force it in it will break, so it is better to loosen the two 10mm bolts that secure the fender to the body and install it while pulling the fender upwards with your hand.

1. The early model has a red inner lens inside a smoky outer lens, while the later model has a red outer lens itself, so the brightness is completely different. I prefer the later model taillights with their independent turn signal design and vivid color, but I prefer the early model garnish in the center with the emblem inside the lens. I think preferences for early and late models vary from person to person. I feel a little guilty about displaying a red badge, since my car isn't an NSX-R. However, I prefer it over the standard later-model version, which only has a plain H mark on the frame. I'm a bit concerned that the lens of the high-mounted stop lamp in the rear spoiler is still the early model type. However, since a replacement is quite expensive, and there's also the option of switching to an NSX-R style spoiler, I’ve decided to hold off for now.

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Late model tail lamp installation complete