VehicleVerdict

2018 Acura ILX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2018 Acura ILX — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

26

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other ILX years?

ILX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted89 complaints2013: 89 complaints2014: 36 complaints2015: 21 complaints2016: 80 complaints2017: 24 complaints2018: 26 complaints2019: 44 complaints2020: 10 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 5 complaints
ILX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ILX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Acura ILX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1973%
Brakes28%
Electrical System28%
Engine28%
Seat Belts14%

Does the 2018 Acura ILX have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V859000BrakesDecember 11, 2025 · 70,658 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Acura ILX vehicles. Contaminated brake fluid may cause a seal inside the brake master cylinder to deform, which can cause an internal brake fluid leak and reduce brake function.

Consequence

Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is RN5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 17, 2025. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

19V424000TransmissionJune 6, 2019 · 49,898 units

Defect

Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. Excessive grease may prevent the set-ring on the half shaft from fully engaging, allowing the driveshaft to separate from the half shaft.

Consequence

A separated driveshaft can cause the vehicle to have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move even while in Park, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, as necessary, replace the driveshaft and half shaft, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is G54.

19V052000Fuel SystemJanuary 24, 2019 · 4,455 units

Defect

Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. The vehicles may have a deformed fuel tank, raising the height of the fuel pump and allowing the fuel level float to stick, possibly causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate fuel level.

Consequence

If the fuel gauge displays that the vehicle has more gas than it actually does, the vehicle may run out of gas and stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is H3U, Z3T.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING, THE CAR IS READING AS FULL THE WHOLE TIME. AS MY WIFE AND I SHARE THE CAR, WE ALWAYS ASSUME THE OTHER WAS RE-FILLING IT, UNTIL IT DIED ON HER. WORST IS THAT, THEY WILL NOT KEEP IT FOR REPAIR AS THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. THEY SEND YOU WITH THIS SAFETY RISK AWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 13, 2018

“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 ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 2, 2026

“THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING, THE CAR IS READING AS FULL THE WHOLE TIME. AS MY WIFE AND I SHARE THE CAR, WE ALWAYS ASSUME THE OTHER WAS RE-FILLING IT, UNTIL IT DIED ON HER. WORST IS THAT, THEY WILL NOT KEEP IT FOR REPAIR AS THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. THEY SEND YOU WITH THIS SAFETY RISK AWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 13, 2018

“The contact owns a 2018 Acura ILX. 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 and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 2, 2026 · crash

“The contact owns a 2018 Acura ILX. The contact's daughter was driving approximately 10 MPH and accelerating after stopping at a traffic sign when the vehicle was crashed by another vehicle. The contact's vehicle had the front bumper removed. There were no injuries and both vehicles were drivable.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 24, 2022 · crash

2018 Acura ILX — common questions

Is the 2018 Acura ILX reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 ILX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (19 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 2018 Acura ILX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Acura ILX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura ILX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the ILX years to avoid are 2013, 2016, 2019, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among ILX years belongs to 2022.

How safe is the 2018 Acura ILX?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Acura ILX earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.