The Honda NX650 spans 1981–1989 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 28 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Honda NX650 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1989 across multiple generations.
How to read a Honda NX650 VIN — every digit explained
Every Honda NX650 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Honda and the country it was built in (real Honda codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this NX650.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA19U · 19V · 19X · 1HF · 1HG · 478
- Canada2HG · 2HH · 2HJ · 2HK · 2HN · 2HU
- Mexico3CZ · 3DH · 3H1 · 3HD · 3HG
- JapanJH2 · JH3 · JR2
- ChinaLAL · LWB
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your NX650, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Honda NX650 have?
The Honda NX650 has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1989. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1988 Honda NX650 recalls 1
Wheels:hubcap/cover
What's wrong. ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR BRAKE DISC MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LOOSEN AND CONTACT THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET WITH SEVERE FRONT BRAKE USAGE.
Risk. WHEEL HUB COULD CRACK AND BRAKE DISC MAY SEPARATE FROMTHE HUB, RESULTING IN LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING.
Fix. INSTALL AN IMPROVED FRONT WHEEL HUB.
Best and worst years for the Honda NX650
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Honda NX650 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Honda NX650 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Honda NX650 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Honda NX650 specifications & dimensions
The 1989 Honda NX650. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Honda NX650 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Honda NX650 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the NX650 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 89 cu ft of passenger volume and 19 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Honda NX650 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Honda NX650 get?
The Honda NX650 returns up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,200/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1989 Honda NX650 (2L 4-cyl) gets 24 mpg combined and costs about $2,600/yr to fuel, emitting 370 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 NX650 | 22 | 28 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 NX650 | 23 | 31 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 NX650 | 23 | 31 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 NX650 | 23 | 30 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 NX650 | 23 | 30 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 NX650 | 25 | 32 | $2,200 | 317 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the NX650 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this NX650's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Honda NX650 have? Power & range
The Honda NX650 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Honda NX650 cost to own?
A Honda NX650 holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used NX650 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this NX650 loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $11,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the NX650 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Honda NX650 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the NX650 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Honda NX650 last?
A well-maintained Honda NX650 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Honda NX650’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this NX650’s VIN free →All Honda NX650 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Honda NX650 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1988 NX650 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1987 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1985 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1983 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1982 NX650 | 0 | — | |
| 1981 NX650 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the NX650?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Honda NX650.
How many recalls does the NX650 have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1989. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Honda recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the NX650 get?
Up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a NX650 last?
A well-maintained NX650 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the NX650 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the NX650 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Honda NX650 warranty?
New Honda models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Honda dealer.
Where is the Honda NX650 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your NX650's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Honda may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the NX650 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.