2013 Acura ILX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
46,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 66 complaints (37.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 12.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 7.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
Air Bags: 25; Electrical System: 14; Power Train: 9; Engine: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Suspension: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Exterior Lighting: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 17; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 4; 2021: 6; 2022: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 3; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10508850 · 2013-04-19 (April 19, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE NOTICED A LOUD, ABNORMAL ROAR FROM INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *TR UPDATED 06/10/13 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10519617 · 2013-06-13 (June 13, 2013)
PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKES AND THEY GAVE OUT AND HIT THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548308 · 2013-10-17 (October 17, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE NEXT GAS STATION OR REST STOP . ON ANY OTHER OCCASION, I WOULD HAVE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT HIGHWAY SIGNS HAD INDICATED THAT NO STOPPING ON THE SIDE WAS ALLOWED. ALTHOUGH I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SAFELY REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WITHIN 20 MINUTES MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL AND FORCEFULLY SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO RAPIDLY ROLL OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT SEEME…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,825 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10597516 · 2014-06-10 (June 10, 2014)
SINCE ONE WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE ACURA ILX (CAR WAS NEW), I HAVE HEARD A RATTLING, BUMPING SOUND COMING FROM EITHER THE FRONT OR MIDDLE OF THE UNDERNEATH AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY TRIED 4 TIMES TO FIX IT, AND ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY ACCOMMODATING, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE AND THE SOUND REMAINED UNCHANGED. ONE OF THE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS WITH THEM FOR OVER A MONTH. THE ANSWER I RECEIVED WAS THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THEY THINK IT IS THE EN…
Owner-reported narrative. 45 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10606812 · 2014-06-29 (June 29, 2014)
OCTOBER 13, 2013 I WAS IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE CAR WON'T START OR CRANK UP.. JUNE 4, 2014, AGAIN THE ILX WON'T START OR CRANK UP. THE CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT OF A SCHOOL. BOTH TIMES THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMP START. I WAS TOLD THE FOG LIGHT WAS USING UP THE BATTERY SO THE DEALER TURNED THE FOG LIGHT OFF. THEN I WAS TOLD THE NAV WAS USING UP THE BATTERY AND FINALLY I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY CELL WAS FAULTY. THE ACURA DEALER FINALLY CHANGED THE BATTERY SINCE THE BATTERY IS STILL ON WARRANTY. I AM ON WAIT AND SEE SIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616990 · 2014-07-28 (July 28, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS WAS SHATTERED AND THE PANEL SIDING WAS IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10626062 · 2014-08-18 (August 18, 2014)
I WENT OVER A MINOR BUMP ON A FREEWAY, A ROUTE THAT I OFTEN TAKE BY MYSELF, BUT THIS TIME I HAD 2 PASSENGERS WITH ME. THERE WAS NO HOLE ON THE FREEWAY, JUST A VERY SMALL INCLINE. AFTER DRIVING OVER IT, WE LITERALLY SHOT UP ON OUR SEATS, THE TOP OF OUR HEADS HITTING THE ROOF. THERE WAS ZERO DAMPENING EFFECTS. THIS WAS A SCARY EVENT. I TYPICALLY DRIVE BY MYSELF GOING TO WORK AND COULD FEEL A VERY ROUGH RIDE OVER MINOR ROAD BUMPS. WITH PASSENGERS IN TOW, THE RIDE OVER THESE BUMPS BECOME UNBEARABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10626062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10725437 · 2015-06-15 (June 15, 2015)
FOR OVER ONE YEAR I HAVE BEEN REPORTING TO ACURA THAT MY 2013 ILX COMPUTER SYSTEM IS BEING TAMPERED WITH. ACURA'S RESPONSE HAD BEEN TO DENY OF KNOWING ANY ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER SYSTEM. TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE WASHING MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY,I WITNESSED THE DOORS LOCK/UNLOCKED AND ALARM SYSTEM SET, THIS CYCLE REPEATED FOR A LEAST AN ENTIRE MINUTE. I NOTIFIED ACURA AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP, THEY RECOMMENDED I HAVE THE KEY FOBS RESET, CHARGED $74.00 JUST TO HOOK UP CAR TO COMPUTER. THE 2 KEY FOBS WERE RESET AND TWO DAYS LATER …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10725437 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V338000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2012-07-19 (July 19, 2012)
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
Consequence: If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V323000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2014-06-13 (June 13, 2014)
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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V061000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V500000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V770000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2020-12-10 (December 10, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗