AI Damage2021 Acura ILX: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Acura ILX filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and lane departure. The maker issued 35 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 35
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 27% of all complaints
- 2 Lane departure 27% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 18% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Lane departure: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
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 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 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 vehicle was involved in an accident on July 6, 2025 and delivered to Caliber Collision in Corpus Christi, Texas. All accident-related repairs have been completed. However, the vehicle cannot be released because a required airbag and/or airbag module is unavailable. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Electrical Failure. Safety was an issue with vehicle needing constant jumps. Problem was checked at dealer. My concern was continuously overlooked. Warning lamps didn't warn.
The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
I am reporting a severe and hazardous safety defect in my 2021 Acura ILX involving water intrusion into the headlight assembly, resulting in electrical failure of critical lighting and signaling components.
am reporting a serious safety defect in my 2021 Acura ILX involving the front headlight assembly. Water is entering the headlight housing due to what appears to be a manufacturer sealing defect, with visible condensation inside.
At times, it gives a warning and vibrates as if I'm merging into another lane. When I press the gas, the engine revs, but the car doesn't accelerate. Issues have been ongoing but dealership where I got the car from wants to charge me inspection fees per symptom.
The contact then noticed that the windshield was distorted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the windshield was delaminating and needed to be replaced. The windshield was replaced under warranty; however, the replacement windshield was also defective.
Upon and after raining the headlights leak and water enters the inside of the headlights. It my cause a short. Unsafe driving conditions at night.
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 1,457 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 31% least complained about).
On average one model year of the ILX has 22 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 11, below average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
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 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…
- 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…
- Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC U0155 (Lost Communication with Gauge Control Module)
- 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…
NHTSA lists 35 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 2021 Acura ILX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, lane departure, air bags. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (36%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (27%), headlights and tail lights (27%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Acura ILX?
NHTSA lists 35 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 2021 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 2021 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.