Acura ILX years to avoid (and the best years)
266 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls across 9 model years, 2013 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 266complaints
- 11recalls
- 23reported crashes
- 3reported fires
- 14reported injuries
Which Acura ILX years should you avoid?
No Acura ILX model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Acura ILX year has 23 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2013 (66) and 2016 (52).
What are the best Acura ILX years?
The Acura ILX years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (10), 2021 (11) and 2015 (19). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 0.5× | 0 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 | 10 | 0.4× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2019 | 36 | 1.6× | 5 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 23 | 1.0× | 4 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2017 | 20 | 0.9× | 4 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2016 | 52 | 2.3× | 6 | 4 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2015 | 19 | 0.8× | 4 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2014 | 29 | 1.3× | 5 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 66 | 2.9× | 6 | 7 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 22 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment6 (27%)
- Other systems4 (18%)
- Airbags & seat belts4 (18%)
- Structure & body4 (18%)
- Engine & powertrain2 (9%)
Recalls (11)
Brakes · 25V859000 · Dec 2025 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fuel system · 23V858000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V215000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2019
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V770000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Airbags · 19V500000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Transmission · 19V424000 · Jun 2019 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
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.
Airbags · 19V182000 · Mar 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fuel system · 19V052000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
If the fuel gauge displays that the vehicle has more gas than it actually does, the vehicle may run out of gas and stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V061000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Exterior lighting · 14V323000 · Jun 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
The diminished light output may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additonally, the excessive heat coming from around the bulb and reflector could cause the headlights to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 12V338000 · Jul 2012 · model year 2013
If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.