2016 Acura ILX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Acura ILX ranks worst among 10 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, 52 complaints, and 6 recalls. Brakes and airbags dominate owner reports, and NHTSA lists a median failure mileage of 25,000 miles for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 10 ILX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 52
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 Acura ILX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes18 (35%)
- Airbags17 (33%)
- Other10 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (17%)
- Fuel System7 (13%)
- Electrical System4 (8%)
- Engine4 (8%)
- Structure & Body4 (8%)
- Steering3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the brake pedal being applied normally but the vehicle surging forward instead of slowing, sometimes while parking.
- Drivers report a metal-to-metal clunking noise from under the hood during shifts, which dealers linked to engine or transmission mount contact with the subframe.
- Some owners say the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral at freeway speed, cutting power while the engine stayed idling.
- Rear brakes are reported to squeal loudly and persistently, with dealers unable to identify a fix.
- Owners involved in crashes report that airbags did not deploy on impact, including in side-impact and rear-end collisions.
- Some owners waiting on the Takata airbag recall said replacement parts were not available within a reasonable time frame.
2016 Acura ILX recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V859000Dec 11, 2025Brakes70,658 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Acura ILX vehicles. Contaminated brake fluid may cause a seal inside the brake master cylinder to deform, which can cause an internal brake fluid leak and reduce brake function.
Risk: Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is RN5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 17, 2025. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- NHTSA 19V424000Jun 6, 2019Transmission & Powertrain49,898 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. Excessive grease may prevent the set-ring on the half shaft from fully engaging, allowing the driveshaft to separate from the half shaft.
Risk: A separated driveshaft can cause the vehicle to have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move even while in Park, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, as necessary, replace the driveshaft and half shaft, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is G54.
2016 Acura ILX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other ILX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Acura ILX reliable?
- Among ILX model years, 2016 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 of 10 years tracked. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other ILX years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura ILX?
- Brakes account for 35% of complaints (18 total) and airbags for 33% (17 total), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 17%.
- Does the 2016 Acura ILX have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 ILX, covering brakes, fuel system, transmission/powertrain, and airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2016 ILX problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 25,000 miles overall, with brake complaints centered around 19,000 miles and airbag complaints around 38,000 miles.
- How does the 2016 ILX compare to other years?
- The 2016 ILX has the highest complaint index (100) of all 10 years tracked; by contrast, 2020 has the lowest at 11 and carries a Best verdict.