Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Acura ILX problems

Owners filed 52 complaints about the 2016 Acura ILX with NHTSA between Aug 2015 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (17).

Complaints
52
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Fuel system, gasoline2
  11. Visibility/wiper1
  12. Wheels1
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Engine1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20151
201615
20174
20180
20199
20201
20212
20222
20232
20242
20252
202612

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

17 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“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 reports1 related recall
“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

Service brakes, hydraulic

5 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Acura ILX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V859000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11751850

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports
“Codep0087 the car loses power from acceleration and stalls and is scary in busy intersections with children in the car i search with my vin as there is a recall and mine is not connected when it needs to be replaced and under recall”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2025Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11694775

Electrical system

4 reports
“FROM SECOND MONTH OF BUYING CAR, BATTERY DRAINED, ACURA TOWING CAME AND TOWED CAR TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND REPLACE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. TOOK CAR DOWN TO DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED FROM ABOUT NOSE IN FRONT DRIVER WHEEL HOLE AND PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THEY STATED "CAR IS NEW DRIVE IT MORE" THE ELECTRICAL POWER STIRRING, THE BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY(PROBLEM WITH FUSE), THE BRAKES SYSTEM SETS OFF SENSORS, ABS LIGHT ON, AIRBAG LIGHT ON (ALL THOUGH DEALERSHIP STATED THEY REPAIRED THAT RECALL). POWERTRAIN AND TRANSMISSION LEAKING, CHECK HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM, CHECK VSA SYSTEM, FOUND RECALL FOR POWERTRAIN ON INTERNET THAT WAS FROM JULY 2019 THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT. COMPLAINED ABOUT PAINT FADING ON HOOD OVER ENGINE, COMPLAINED ABOUT SHOCKS AND STRUTS THAT DON'T NEED REPLACEMENT BUT THERE IS SOMETHING LOOSE THAT IS MAKING NOISE, I HAVE UPDATED HOME ADDRESS WITH ACURA BUT EVEN SO WHEN I MOVED IN 2017 I DID A CHANG OF ADDRESS. THEY HAVE REPLACED ALTERNATOR, THAT I DON'T BELIEVE NEEDED CHANGING AT THAT TIME, SERVICE TECH AT ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IF I SERVICED MY CAR WOULD BURN UP BUT OF COURSE OFFERED ME TO BUY A NEW CAR.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2019Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11277316
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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