The 2014 Acura ILX has 5 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (20 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints29filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
2014 Acura ILX in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
NHTSA recall 20V770000 · Dec 10, 2020 · 248,358 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 19V182000 · Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
NHTSA recall 19V052000 · Jan 24, 2019 · 4,455 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the fuel gauge displays that the vehicle has more gas than it actually does, the vehicle may run out of gas and stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is H3U, Z3T.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V061000 · Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 14V323000 · Jun 13, 2014 · 14,078 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: The diminished light output may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additonally, the excessive heat coming from around the bulb and reflector could cause the headlights to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlights, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-862-2872. Honda's number for this recall is JE9.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2014 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.7%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
ILX
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
ILX
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
20
1
0
0
12,000 mi
Engine
3
0
1
0
46,000 mi
Electrical system
3
0
1
0
—
Power train
2
1
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
2
0
1
0
—
Seat belts
1
1
0
1
—
Wheels
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
Back over prevention Sensing system › Camera
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
0
0
1
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 1, 2026Fuel/propulsion system I will be taking my car to be looked at. There is a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin. Smell came out of nowhere and none of my service lights came on.
Mar 24, 2025 · 83,000 miles · 1 injuryFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2014 Acura ILX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor permeating the interior of the vehicle. The contact then began to experience nausea and headaches, prompting the contact to seek medical attention. The contact was later diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. The emissions and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Jul 28, 2016 · 17,500 milesElectrical system The contact owns a 2014 Acura ILX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer and was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced; however, the failure reoccurred six months later. The contact stated that he was replacing the vehicle battery every six months. However, after the replacement of the battery, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the latest failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated upon investigating the failure on the internet, he became aware that the Bluetooth module of the…
Feb 28, 2019 · 46,000 milesElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA IXL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE ENGINE START BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON TONKIN ACURA (855-389-6164, LOCATED AT 9655 SW CANYON RD, PORTLAND, OR 97225) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED, BUT WAS NOT RENDERED DUE TO COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Mar 17, 2019 · 79,900 milesService brakes MY DRIVER'S SIDE BREAKS ARE GRINDING AND GIVING OUT ON ME. I ONLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ON WEEKENDS, SO I DON'T SEE WHY THE DRIVER'S SIDE BREAKS ARE ALREADY GIVING OUT ON ME. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY THREE YEARS AND IT HAS 79,784 MILES.
Dec 17, 2018 · 80,700 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE REAR CAMERA DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE STALLED AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JP THIBODEAUX AUTOMOTIVE (2511 US-90, NEW IBERIA, LA 70560, (866) 790-1193). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,700.
Jan 3, 2018 · fireElectrical system CAR CAUGHT A FIRE WHILE PARK WITH MOTOR RUNNING STARTED FROM HEADLIGHT FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE WAS PUT OUT..
Jan 3, 2018 · 43,000 miles · fireEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 ACURA ILX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE FRONT PASSENGER ALERTED THE CONTACT OF A SMOKE ODOR. THE PASSENGER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED SPARKS FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE HOOD BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED SUPERIOR HONDA AT 504-717-2157 (LOCATED AT 1845 WEST BANK EXPRESS WAY, HARVEY, LA 70058) AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
