Research · Compact Cars

2020 Acura ILXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2020 Acura ILX. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (3) and steering (2). The EPA rates it 28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
10
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2021 – Sep 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper3
  2. Steering2
  3. Lane departure1
  4. Forward collision avoidance1
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Structure1
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Suspension1
  9. 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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Visibility/wiper

3 reports
“I live in a colder climate, we’re were experiencing temperatures in the 20’s with ice storms. While driving the rear window completely shattered, the rear defroster was on during the time of the incident. I contacted the manufacturer for a remedy, they informed me there is no remedy for my particular vehicle. They suggested I pay out of pocket at a certified Acura dealership to get a dignostic and to get the window fixed. I decided to have the window replaced by Safelite. There is a very big and well known problem with the 2020 Acura RDX for this same scenario happening. There was warning light or indication something was going on with the window. Acura needs to address the problem with the rear defroster as this poses a huge public safety risk when this happens while the vehicle is being driven.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11654004

Steering

2 reports
“Multipurpose camera unit failure code U3000-49. My camera does not keep its lane assist accurately and sways from side to side when it is working. 9 out of 10 times it does not work. Other acura owners of the ILX 2019-2022 have experienced the same codes and issues around 90K miles+. I have lights on my dashboard like Adaptive cruise control, Automatic braking system, Foward collision warning, Lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. These are all failure points connected to the camera. These safety features need to be recalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2026Steering, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11762512

Lane departure

1 report
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 (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 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 (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243428$2,750316
  • ILX
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,750/yr
    28
    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 14822
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

2020 ILX questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Acura ILX have?

2 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 2020 Acura ILX problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (3), steering (2), lane departure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Acura ILX get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Acura ILX at 28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2020 Acura ILX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Acura ILX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026