What year Acura ILX should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013, 2016, and 2019 Acura ILX have the highest complaint index scores (100, 89, and 78) and rank worst among the 10 model years with data.

Which Acura ILX model year is the best?

The 2015 and 2020 ILX rank best, with complaint index scores of 22 and 11, the lowest among all covered years.

Does the 2016 Acura ILX have a brake recall?

Yes. Recall campaign 25V859000 covers 2016-2020 Acura ILX vehicles for contaminated brake fluid that can deform a seal in the brake master cylinder and cause an internal leak.

Is the 2013 Acura ILX reliable?

The 2013 ILX has the highest complaint index (100) of any ILX model year in NHTSA data, with 66 complaints, 7 crashes, and 6 recall campaigns, including two Takata airbag inflator recalls.

How many recalls does the Acura ILX have overall?

Across the 2013-2022 model years covered, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the Acura ILX and 269 total complaints.

Acura ILX Best and Worst Years (2013–2022)

Avoid the 2013, 2016, and 2019 Acura ILX, which post the highest complaint index scores (100, 89, and 78) and lead the model's 11 recall campaigns. The 2015 and 2020 model years score lowest (22 and 11) and are the best picks.

Avoid 2013 Avoid 2016 Avoid 2019 Best 2015 Best 2020

Model years: 10; 2013–2022
NHTSA complaints: 269
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 23
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Airbags

ILX Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura ILX problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	Avoid	100	66	7	0	6	Airbags	27	5★
2014	Caution	67	29	2	2	5	Airbags	27	5★
2015	Best	22	19	0	1	4	Airbags	26.5	5★
2016	Avoid	89	52	4	0	6	Brakes	29	5★
2017	Good	33	20	2	0	4	Brakes	29	5★
2018	Good	44	23	2	0	4	Fuel System	29	5★
2019	Avoid	78	36	2	0	5	Fuel System	28	5★
2020	Best	11	10	1	0	2	Visibility & Wipers	28	5★
2021	Caution	56	11	3	0	0	Electrical System	28	5★
2022	No verdict	0	3	0	0	0	Electrical System	28	5★

ILX years to avoid: what went wrong

2013 Acura ILX Index 100 · 66 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2013 ILX has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Airbags account for 38% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,750 miles, followed by electrical issues at 26% (50,500 miles) and transmission problems at 14% (80,000 miles). Owners reported brake failures leading to crashes and airbags that did not deploy in accidents. The year carries 6 recall campaigns, including two separate Takata airbag inflator recalls and a driveshaft recall covering manual-transmission cars.

2013 airbags problems →2013 electrical system problems →

2016 Acura ILX Index 89 · 52 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2016 ILX ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 89. Brakes are the top problem area at 35% of complaints (median 19,000 miles), followed closely by airbags at 33% (38,000 miles) and transmission/powertrain issues at 17% (47,500 miles). Owners described brake pedals failing to stop the car and unexpected surging. This year has 6 recalls, including a brake master cylinder recall for contaminated brake fluid, a fuel pump module recall, and a driveshaft separation recall tied to excessive grease on the half shaft.

2016 brakes problems →2016 airbags problems →

2019 Acura ILX Index 78 · 36 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2019 ILX has a complaint index of 78, the third-highest, driven mainly by fuel system problems at 44% of complaints (median 35,500 miles) and brakes at 36% (17,575 miles). Owners reported brake pedals sinking with loss of stopping control and unintended acceleration events. The year carries 5 recall campaigns, including a fuel pump assembly recall, the same later fuel pump module recall shared across Honda/Acura models, and the brake master cylinder recall covering 2016-2020 ILX vehicles.

2019 fuel system problems →

Most common Acura ILX problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags78 (29%)
Fuel System51 (19%)
Brakes48 (18%)
Electrical System40 (15%)
Other30 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain24 (9%)
Engine23 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (6%)
Steering10 (4%)
Structure & Body10 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Acura ILX should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013, 2016, and 2019 Acura ILX have the highest complaint index scores (100, 89, and 78) and rank worst among the 10 model years with data.
Which Acura ILX model year is the best?: The 2015 and 2020 ILX rank best, with complaint index scores of 22 and 11, the lowest among all covered years.
Does the 2016 Acura ILX have a brake recall?: Yes. Recall campaign 25V859000 covers 2016-2020 Acura ILX vehicles for contaminated brake fluid that can deform a seal in the brake master cylinder and cause an internal leak.
Is the 2013 Acura ILX reliable?: The 2013 ILX has the highest complaint index (100) of any ILX model year in NHTSA data, with 66 complaints, 7 crashes, and 6 recall campaigns, including two Takata airbag inflator recalls.
How many recalls does the Acura ILX have overall?: Across the 2013-2022 model years covered, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the Acura ILX and 269 total complaints.