Research · Compact Cars

2016 Acura ILXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 52 owner complaints for the 2016 Acura ILX. Most complaints involve air bags (17) and service brakes (12). The EPA rates it 29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
52
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Dec 12, 2025NHTSA 25V859000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 6, 2019NHTSA 19V424000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

52 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2015 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags17
  2. Service brakes12
  3. Power train9
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  5. Fuel/propulsion system5
  6. Electrical system4
  7. Structure4
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Steering3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ILX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201366
201429
201519
201652
201720
201823
201936
202010
202111
20223
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

17 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Acura ILX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The contact stated that the airbags did not deploy during the crash. The contact did not sustain injuries at the scene and no medical attention was provided immediately following the crash. However, the contact later experienced lower back and neck injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed after the crash. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, approximately half of the fuel would disappear after the vehicle was started, with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer for bodywork repairs related to the rear-end damage. The contact was informed that repairs had been completed to the fuel pocket area of the vehicle however the vehicle was not diagnosed related for the fuel system failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,815”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026Fuel system, gasoline, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11740643

Service brakes

12 reports1 crash
“I am filing this complaint regarding the inadequacy of American Honda's recall remedy under NHTSA Campaign 25V-859 (Acura Campaign RN5) for my 2016 Acura ILX (109,000 miles). This recall addresses a defective brake master cylinder that can reduce braking performance and increase stopping distances, posing an unreasonable risk of crash or injury. Despite this acknowledged safety defect, American Honda is refusing to perform the recall repair, stating that parts are limited and repairs are being prioritized only for vehicles already exhibiting symptoms of failure. My case (#16165247) has been closed with no remedy provided. I have contacted American Honda approximately five times over the past two months and receive the same answer. No repair, no loaner vehicle, no interim safety guidance, and no timeline for parts availability has been offered. Their guidance was "we can prioritize your repair once you notice your brakes begin to fail." My local Acura dealer was uncooperative, stating they have no parts and telling me to get American Honda to provide parts, placing the burden of obtaining them on me as the consumer. The defect symptoms (degraded braking and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2026Service brakesODI 11726735

Power train

9 reports
“I own a 2016 Acura ILX and recently discovered multiple federally mandated safety recalls affecting my vehicle, including a brake master cylinder recall, fuel pump recall, driveshaft separation recall, and Takata airbag recall. I have owned this vehicle for over seven years and was never notified by mail or otherwise at my correct address that these safety recalls existed. One recall is currently active, but the dealership advised they cannot perform the repair due to parts unavailability until March, leaving me to operate a vehicle with a known brake-related safety defect. The remaining recalls are listed as not active, yet were never completed, and the dealer refused to perform them. I am concerned that required safety defects were not properly communicated or remedied, placing me and others at risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2026Power train, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11716661
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ILX
Auto (AM8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253529$2,650309
  • ILX
    Auto (AM8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,650/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Acura ILX 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 10036
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 ILX questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Acura ILX have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Acura ILX problems?

Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (17), service brakes (12), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Acura ILX get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Acura ILX at 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2016 Acura ILX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Acura ILX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026