AI Damage2020 Acura ILX: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Acura ILX filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and steering. The maker issued 74 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 74
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 30% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 10% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 10% of all complaints
- Visibility: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Structure: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
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 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The driver's side seat belt snapped on impact. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bag was deployed. There were no reported injuries. There was no fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who referred her to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
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 am experiencing an issue with my brakes. When I am at a red light and I brake, I find my brakes start to descend. So it's brake, then the brake moves a bit down towards the floor. Then it moves down a bit more.
[XXX] [XXX] Email: [XXX] Subject: CarMax auto and CarMax auto finance RE: CarMax auto finance [XXX] Phone: [phone] Website: carmax auto finance Transaction Date: 10/23/2023 Amount Paid: 29976 Payment Method: Credit Card I bought a car with Carmax Finance and from the beginning of the car was lemon so I request change.
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.
Smart Unit failure caused constant triggering of the alarm at all hours, headlights would not turn off, dashboard controls shorting out.
It is a rattling type noise coming from what sounds like the front, right side of the car. I usually hear it over little bumps but as the day goes on the noise gets louder and the bumps do not have to be that big. I'm not a car technical person, but any type of noise coming from my car is concerning.
The factory original windshield wipers caused micro scratches in the glass. Dirt cannot be thoroughly cleaned from the scratches and collects more dirt during driving. When facing the sun, dirt particles in the scratches reflect in the scratches obstructing clear vision.
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 1,486 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 29% least complained about).
On average one model year of the ILX has 22 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American…
Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors are now included in…
- Service Bulletin - Vehicle owner notices condensation or moisture trapped inside one or both headlight…
Service Bulletin - Vehicle owner notices condensation or moisture trapped inside one or both headlight assemblies that does not evaporate from the lamp due to the headlight making contact with a body panel creating a…
- Service Bulletin - The headlight making contact with a body panel can create a separation in the adhesive…
Service Bulletin - The headlight making contact with a body panel can create a separation in the adhesive between the headlight lens and the housing, allowing moisture to enter the headlight.
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2022 ILXs with a client complaint of moisture/condensation in the headlights. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2020 ILX with a client complaint of a brake pedal that intermittently goes soft or goes to the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the…
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is collecting HEALTHY front driveshafts as well as driveshafts that are being replaced for issues other than noise (e.g. torn CV boot, leaking, vibration, etc.) from certain 2020 ILXs which fits the criteria…
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2020 ILXs with a client complaint of moisture/condensation in the headlights. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from…
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is collecting HEALTHY front driveshafts as well as driveshafts that are being replaced for issues other than noise (e.g. torn CV boot, leaking, vibration, etc.) from certain 2020 ILXs which fits the criteria…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for 2019-2022 ILXs, 2022 MDXs, 2021-2022 RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light on due to a faulty sensor with a client complaint of the Tire Pressure…
- 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…
- ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the…
ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored. If you can duplicate the DTC, the troubleshooting will take you through the step-by-step…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for 2019-2022 ILXs, 2022 MDXs, 2021 RDXs and 2021-2022 TLXs with a client complaint of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light on due to a faulty sensor. To better understand the cause of…
NHTSA lists 74 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 2020 Acura ILX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, steering, suspension. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (10%), headlights and tail lights (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Acura ILX?
NHTSA lists 74 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 2020 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 2020 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.