ILX (DE1)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
K24V7
2.4L 4-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
R20A5
2.0L 4-cyl / 150 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LEA2
1.5L 4-cyl / 111 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Acura ILX Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
K24Z7
2.4L 4-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Mild Hybrid
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2013-2022 Acura ILX
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 6 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2013] While driving downhill and using regenerative braking, my 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid suddenly experienced a hybrid system malfunction. Immediately after the event, the vehicle displayed "Check IMA System" and "Check Charging System" warnings and began exhibiting drivability and electrical-system problems. Following the failure, the vehicle experienced reduced acceleration from a stop, rough engine res
- [2013] My 2013 acura ix hybrid does have issues as in service bulletin 20-021. Contacted dealer and got informed that was repaired recall and send me invoice for repairs in the amount of 2600 usd. Contacted manufacturer and been informed that no recall for my car vin is bot associated to recall above (20-021). Did check report from carfax and only repair on my car was some on battery in 2019 (attach
- [2013] 1. Bypass Contractor Malfunction causing multiple lights to be on due to faulty Intelligent Inverter UNIT (IIU)/Motor Power Invterter (MPI), causing error code P0AE1. Car is already repaired but still available for inspection if needed. 2. Car stalled on and off while getting onto freeway onramp 3. Yes, issue was reproduced by dealer and they recommended repairs 4. Vehicle was inspectd by Vanderg
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2013] While driving downhill and using regenerative braking, my 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid suddenly experienced a hybrid system malfunction. Immediately after the event, the vehicle displayed "Check IMA System" and "Check Charging System" warnings and began exhibiting drivability and electrical-system problems. Following the failure, the vehicle experienced reduced acceleration from a stop, rough engine res
- [2013] My car has faulty code P0AE1 (Bypass Contractor Malfunction) that causes the 12v battery and hybrid battery failure. It also causes the brake less effective without hybrid assisting, and loss acceleration that are extremely dangerous while driving on road. This is well known issue for 2013 Acura ILX hybrid that triggers recall in Service Bulletin 20-021. My car has been inspected by Honda/Acura
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2013] My car has faulty code P0AE1 (Bypass Contractor Malfunction) that causes the 12v battery and hybrid battery failure. It also causes the brake less effective without hybrid assisting, and loss acceleration that are extremely dangerous while driving on road. This is well known issue for 2013 Acura ILX hybrid that triggers recall in Service Bulletin 20-021. My car has been inspected by Honda/Acura
- [2013] Issue had not been persistent, on Sunday, May the 12th, 2024, while driving home, I was on a slight downward slope coming to a halt at a red light, when the car jolted slightly and the warning lights came. The auto-shutoff feature on the vehicle stopped working immediately. I was able to drive the car home, but after parking - the vehicle wouldn’t start again. Electronic screen on the radio came o
Regenerative Braking
- [2013] While driving downhill and using regenerative braking, my 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid suddenly experienced a hybrid system malfunction. Immediately after the event, the vehicle displayed "Check IMA System" and "Check Charging System" warnings and began exhibiting drivability and electrical-system problems. Following the failure, the vehicle experienced reduced acceleration from a stop, rough engine res
High-Voltage Battery
- [2013] My car has faulty code P0AE1 (Bypass Contractor Malfunction) that causes the 12v battery and hybrid battery failure. It also causes the brake less effective without hybrid assisting, and loss acceleration that are extremely dangerous while driving on road. This is well known issue for 2013 Acura ILX hybrid that triggers recall in Service Bulletin 20-021. My car has been inspected by Honda/Acura
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Acura ILX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2013-2022 Acura ILX
On a used 2013-2022 Acura ILX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (87), the fuel system (51) and the brakes (46). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 87 owner complaints on the 2013-2022 Acura ILX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on the 2013-2022 Acura ILX about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on the 2013-2022 Acura ILX about the brakes.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on the 2013-2022 Acura ILX about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2013-2022 Acura ILX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Recalls (11)
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.
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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Show 6 older recalls
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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. The vehicles may have a deformed fuel tank, raising the height of the fuel pump and allowing the fuel level float to stick, possibly causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate fuel level.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles manufactured January 16, 2012 to March 1, 2013, ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured January 12, 2012 to February 7, 2013, and certain model year 2014 ILX vehicles manufactured May 2, 2013, to May 31, 2014, and ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 18, 2013 to February 19, 2014. Excessive heat temperatures around the headlight bulb and reflector unit may diminish the output of the headlight and cause smoke, melting, and fire. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2013-2022 Acura ILX complaints?
Owners have filed 269 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2022 Acura ILX. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the fuel system and the brakes.
Is the 2013-2022 Acura ILX a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 269 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2022 Acura ILX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2022 Acura ILX have?
NHTSA has 269 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2022 Acura ILX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2013-2022 Acura ILX?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls covering some 2013-2022 Acura ILX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Acura ILX?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the fuel system and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the ILX?
The 2022 Acura ILX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 269 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.