Research · Compact Cars

2018 Acura ILXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2018 Acura ILX. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (12) and fuel system, gasoline (7). 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
4campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
23
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2018 – Jun 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system12
  2. Fuel system, gasoline7
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  4. Engine2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Seat belts1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“The vehicle began experiencing a steering and suspension malfunction that made the car difficult to control, particularly at low speeds and when turning. There was increased vibration, unusual noise from the front end, and a noticeable pull to one side. These symptoms created a safety risk because loss of steering stability could have led to a crash, especially in traffic or on highways. The vehicle was taken to a Honda dealership for diagnosis. The dealership did not inform me of an active Acura safety recall related to the issue and stated that they “do not check Acura recalls.” Based on their assessment, I proceeded with repairs at my own expense. I paid approximately $435 for the replacement part purchased from an Acura dealership and about $300 in labor to an independent repair shop. After the work was completed, I later learned that the same issue was covered under an active Acura safety recall. The problem has since been confirmed by both the independent repair facility that performed the work and an Acura dealership that verified the recall applies to this vehicle. When I requested reimbursement under the recall, Acura offered approximately $312.91,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11712039

Fuel system, gasoline

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Acura ILX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2025Fuel system, gasolineODI 11660038

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2018 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 and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed the brakes failed to engage; the contact had to crash into the medium in between both sides of the street to avoid a crash. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the contact paid out of pocket. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 102,437.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 11741512
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S8)
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 10, 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 (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253529$2,650309
  • ILX
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,650/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 10, 2026Vehicle 12642
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

2018 ILX questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Acura ILX have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2018 Acura ILX problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (12), fuel system, gasoline (7), service brakes, hydraulic (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Acura ILX get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Acura ILX at 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2018 Acura ILX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Acura ILX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026