The Acura ILX Years To Avoid
The Acura ILX is a compact luxury sedan introduced by Acura, the luxury vehicle division of Honda. It was first launched in 2012 and is designed to appeal to younger buyers with its offering of performance, luxury, and a budget-friendly price tag. As such, the ILX is often seen as an entry-level offering in the Acura lineup.
The ILX is uniquely positioned in Acura’s lineup as the brand’s entry-level sedan. It’s placed below the Acura TLX and RLX sedans in terms of size, price, and features. It competed with the likes of Audi A3, Lexus IS, Infiniti Q50, and Volvo S60. However, Acura ILX was confirmed to be discontinued after the 2022 model year and will be replaced by the new Integra in Acura’s lineup.
With that said, the Acura ILX is a compelling option for those looking to step into the luxury car market without breaking the bank – especially if you’re buying used. However, not all years are reliable due to consumer complaints and known reliability issues.
For today, we rounded up the Acura ILX years to avoid, so you can buy a used unit that will provide you with an outstanding ownership experience down the line.
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Which Acura ILX Years To Avoid?
As the luxury branch of Honda, Acura is well-known for vehicles that offer excellent long-term reliability. And the ILX is no exception. RepairPal says the Acura ILX is the 2nd most reliable luxury compact car out of 17 models, with a 4.5 out of 5.0 Reliability Rating. However, some years are best avoided due to reliability concerns, and they are:
- 2013 Acura ILX
- 2014 Acura ILX
- 2016 Acura ILX
2013 Acura ILX
At CoPilot, we recommend that our readers avoid the first production model years due to various factors. New models or significant redesigns often come with unforeseen issues or “teething problems” yet to be identified during the initial testing phases. These issues usually get resolved in subsequent model years after feedback from real-world usage. This is good advice when it comes to the 2013 ILX.
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2013 ILX received the highest number of complaints out of all model years at 69 reports and six recalls. Below we break down the major trouble spots of this ILX model.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE ACURA ILX
We go through all generations of the ILX and determine the most reliable Acura ILX year and which ones you should skip. Let’s take a look.
Suspension Issues
Based on several reports, the 2013 ILX struggled with suspension problems. Here are some symptoms encountered by owners:
- Axle concerns: Multiple complaints point towards issues with the vehicle’s axle, particularly on the passenger’s side. This symptom is a potential design or manufacturing flaw specific to this model year.
- Suspension noise: Reports of abnormal noises from the front suspension suggest potential wear or malfunction of suspension components.
- Rough ride: Owners have reported a noticeably bumpy ride, especially over minor bumps. This could be indicative of suspension tuning or component issues. Some owners said that the vehicle was too noisy on bumps.
When evaluating a 2013 ILX for purchase, you should be aware of these suspension-related concerns.
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Airbag System Flaws
If you’re concerned about vehicle safety, know that the 2013 Acura ILX received the most number of complaints for its airbag system. Here are a couple of details about the issue:
- Deployment issues: There have been multiple complaints where the airbags in the 2013 Acura ILX did not deploy during accidents, even in situations where they were expected to, leading to injuries.
- Consistent malfunctions: Some owners reported recurring malfunctions with the airbag system, such as the deflator malfunctioning repeatedly, preventing vehicles from passing inspections.
- Recall concerns: There were concerns and dissatisfaction among owners regarding Acura’s handling of the Takata airbag recall. Delays in receiving parts, lack of communication, and extended repair wait times were common complaints.
- Variety of issues: Apart from non-deployment, there were other airbag-related problems like inconsistent passenger airbag indicators and concerns about specific VINs not being included in recalls.
These issues make the 2013 model one of the worst Acura ILX years to avoid.
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2014 Acura ILX
Reliability was improved for the 2014 Acura ILX, but it still received numerous complaints that used car buyers should know. CarComplaints has documented 39 complaints and five recalls for the 2014 ILX. Unfortunately, it inherited some issues of the debut model year.
Airbag Issues
The 2014 ILX airbag system received the most complaints. Below are some examples:
- Airbag indicator illumination: Some owners reported that the airbag indicator illuminated unexpectedly. In one instance, the steering wheel also seized while driving, and the rear camera detached from the vehicle.
- Takata airbag concerns: Multiple complaints were related to the Takata airbag recall. Owners expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the recall, mentioning delays in receiving parts and lack of communication from the manufacturer.
- Other related issues: Apart from the airbag concerns, some owners also reported other problems, such as issues with the vehicle’s power, noises from the driver’s side window at high speeds, and defective lights.
Having said that, make sure to check for airbag problems when buying a used 2014 ILX.
Engine Problems
Several owners have also experienced engine issues with the 2014 ILX, including:
- Starting issues: One owner reported that the vehicle did not start when the engine start button was pushed. Multiple attempts were needed to start the car.
- Multiple failures: Another owner experienced numerous issues, including an illuminated airbag indicator, a seized steering wheel, and a detached rear camera. The engine also stalled at times.
- Engine fire: A significant incident involved the vehicle’s engine catching fire while parked with the engine running. Sparks were noticed from underneath the hood before the engine became engulfed in flames.
Remember that these reports are very few and far between; there’s no indication they’re widespread concerns.
2016 Acura ILX
Lastly, the 2016 ILX is also worth skipping due to a variety of issues. For instance, this model year received numerous reports of faulty service brakes. Some owners reported that the car accelerated on its own when they applied the brakes, while some said that the brakes squealed loudly when applied. Moreover, this ILX also struggled with airbag issues, including the dreaded Takata recall.
As such, a used 2016 Acura ILX should be approached with caution.
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