AI Damage2018 Acura ILX: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Acura ILX filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and fuel system. The maker issued 50 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 23
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 50
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 52% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 30% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 12 complaints (52% of all).
- Fuel system: 7 complaints (30% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (9% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (9% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
She got back into the driver's seat and attempted to strap the seat belt on, and found that the seat belt had become locked and would not deploy normally. The contact had taken the vehicle to a collision repair shop who advised that the seat belt was not available and the vehicle could not be released due to the…
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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Car stopped working, engine replaced than broke down again told it was better but than it was exhaust. Every light was on in the car
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 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 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.
There were no warning lights illuminated. 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 local dealer was contacted.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,198 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 43% least complained about).
On average one model year of the ILX has 22 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 23, about average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 ILXs & 2022 MDXs with a client complaint of front suspension/damper noise. Noise can be described as knock, clunk, rattle, thump or creak. To better understand the cause of this…
- Service Bulletin - This warranty extension applies only to 2016-18 ILX vehicles painted B-612P (2016 models
Bright Kinetic Blue Pearl) or (2017-18 models: Catalina Blue Pearl).
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 ILXs, 2022 MDXs & 2017-2018 RDXs with a client complaint of front suspension/damper noise. Noise can be described as knock, clunk, rattle, thump or creak. To better understand…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 ILXs with a client complaint of a clunk or rattle noise coming from the front suspension. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 ILXs with a client complaint of rattle, clunk or other noise coming from the front suspension. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2020 ILXs with a client complaint of a steering wheel noise when driving or turning the steering wheel. The noise can be described as rattling, squeaking, crackling, or ticking. To…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2018 ILXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the C-pillar, in the area adjacent to the rear window & the roof. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would…
- Owner Notification Letter - On some 2016-18 ILX models, the exterior paint around the front windshield…
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2016-18 ILX models, the exterior paint around the front windshield and/or rear glass may peel off. To ensure your confidence in your vehicle, American Honda is extending the warranty…
- Service Bulletin - While driving, the steering wheel rattles when you turn it
- Dealer Message - Today, September 29, 2020, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-2018…
Dealer Message - Today, September 29, 2020, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-2018 ILX vehicles with Catalina Blue Pearl or Bright Kinetic Blue Pearl paint to address client concerns with…
- Service Bulletin - This warranty extension applies only to 2016-18 ILX vehicles painted B-612P (2016 models
Bright Kinetic Blue Pearl) or (2017-18 models: Catalina Blue Pearl). The exterior paint around the front windshield and/or rear glass may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is investigating certain 2016-2018 ILXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the C-pillar, in the area adjacent to the rear window & the roof. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would…
NHTSA lists 50 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura ILX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 23. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (30%), stalls while driving (17%), warning lights, check engine (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Acura ILX?
NHTSA lists 50 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Acura ILX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.