Head-to-head reliability
Acura TLX vs Acura ILX
How the Acura TLX and Acura ILX compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Acura TLX vs Acura ILX: The TLX averages 54.6 complaints per year with engine and power train issues, while the ILX averages 26.9 with air bag and brake problems. The ILX has 36 recalls versus 33 for the TLX. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura TLX or Acura ILX more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX is a midsize luxury sedan that has averaged about 55 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with engine and power train issues dominating the list. Owners frequently describe sudden loss of acceleration, engine knocking, and transmission fluid leaks, which can leave you stranded or facing costly repairs. Electrical glitches like a blank instrument cluster and adaptive damper errors also show up, adding to ownership frustration. While it has fewer recalls than the ILX, the TLX's problems tend to be more mechanical and potentially serious.
Acura ILX
The Acura ILX is a compact luxury sedan with a lower complaint rate of roughly 27 per year, but its issues cluster around air bags and brakes. Owners report air bag deployments without impact and long waits for recall parts, as well as master cylinder brake recalls with parts unavailable. Electrical problems like alarm malfunctions and dashboard flickering also appear. Overall, the ILX has more recalls than the TLX, and many complaints stem from safety systems that may be hard to fix promptly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura TLX | Acura ILX |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 546 | 269 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 36 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 | 23 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.6 | 26.9 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 | 14 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Acura TLX
- 01ENGINE140
- 02POWER TRAIN103
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM94
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER75
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM61
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration in humid or rainy conditions, often accompanied by a flashing check engine light and misfire. Others describe loud knocking noises followed by power loss, which can be dangerous on the highway.
Complaints include transmission or transfer case fluid leaks, sometimes visible as fluid running down the drivetrain. Some owners also experience multiple dashboard warnings and loss of drive modes shortly after purchase.
A common issue is the digital instrument cluster going completely black while driving, leaving the driver without speed or other key information. Adaptive damper system errors, possibly from wiring design, are also reported.
Fuel system complaints are less detailed in the sample, but the TLX has a recall for fuel tank assembly. This suggests potential fuel storage or delivery problems that could lead to leaks or stalling.
“While driving in humid, rainy conditions for over five hours, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of acceleration. Moisture appears to have built up, resulting in a misfire and a flashing MIL/Check Engine light. This occurred while I was overtaking anot…”
“- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up. Within moments, the engine lost power and became inoper…”
Acura ILX
- 01AIR BAGS78
- 02SERVICE BRAKES46
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM27
Owners report air bag deployments without impact, sometimes causing crashes and injuries. Others face long delays in getting recall repairs because parts are unavailable, leaving them in unrepaired vehicles.
A master cylinder brake recall has left owners waiting for parts, with dealers unable to perform the fix. This means some ILX models may have brake systems that are under recall but not yet repaired.
Complaints include alarms going off randomly at night, dashboard lights flickering, and the car failing to start. One owner suspected unauthorized remote access, though this is not confirmed.
The ILX has multiple fuel pump recalls, which can cause the engine to stall or fail to start. Owners may experience sudden loss of power if the fuel pump fails.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2021 Acura ILX (VIN: [XXX] ) that has been unreleasable for an extended period due to manufacturer inability to supply a required safety component. The vehicle was involved in an accident on July 6, 2025 and delivere…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Acura ILX. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the airbag deployed without impact which resulted in the contact crashing into a pole. The contact sustained a hurt knee and headaches that required medical treatment.…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Acura TLX — 33 recalls
The defect: Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehic…
The risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehic…
The risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
Acura ILX — 36 recalls
The 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,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 expansi…
The 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.
The risk: Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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 (VI…
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 H3…
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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…
Buyer analysis
Acura TLX or Acura ILX: which should you buy?
The Acura ILX has fewer complaints per year (about 27 vs. 55 for the TLX), but it has more recalls (36 vs. 33) and a higher share of air bag and brake issues. In practice, the TLX may have more frequent mechanical problems, while the ILX's problems are often tied to safety recalls that can be hard to resolve quickly.
Key differences
- The TLX has more than double the annual complaints of the ILX, with engine and power train problems being the most common.
- The ILX leads in air bag complaints, including deployments without impact, while the TLX has no air bag complaints in the top five.
- The ILX has more recalls overall, especially for fuel pumps and brake master cylinders, which may require repeated dealer visits.
- The TLX's electrical issues often involve the instrument cluster going blank, while the ILX's electrical complaints include alarms and starting problems.
- Check for transmission or transfer case fluid leaks, especially around the mating area between the transmission and transfer case.
- Test drive in humid or rainy conditions if possible, and watch for hesitation, misfires, or a flashing check engine light.
- Ask for proof that the air bag recall and brake master cylinder recall have been completed; if not, confirm parts availability before purchase.
- Inspect for signs of electrical gremlins: random alarm triggers, flickering dashboard lights, or difficulty starting.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they have been fixed.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and, if possible, rainy conditions to check for engine misfires or power loss.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and transfer case for leaks on the TLX, and the brake master cylinder and air bag system on the ILX.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any transmission service.
- Check for electrical issues by testing all dashboard lights, infotainment, and driver assistance features during the test drive.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Acura TLX | Acura ILX |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 26 | 3 |
| 2021 | 70 | 11 |
| 2020 | 63 | 10 |
| 2019 | 92 | 36 |
| 2018 | 94 | 23 |
| 2017 | 71 | 20 |
| 2016 | 110 | 52 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Acura TLX or Acura ILX in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura TLX vs Acura ILX
- Acura TLX total complaints
- 546
- Acura ILX total complaints
- 269
- Acura TLX total recalls
- 33
- Acura ILX total recalls
- 36
- Acura TLX avg complaints/year
- 54.6
- Acura ILX avg complaints/year
- 26.9
- More reliable overall
- Acura ILX
- Acura TLX top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Acura ILX top complaint area
- AIR BAGS