Skip to content
Acura ILXModel year report

2021 Acura ILX Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
5,800miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Acura ILX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2021 Acura ILX. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by lane departure (3) and other or unknown (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,800 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 36 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “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. Due to an apparent manufacturing defect in the headlight sealing, moisture is entering the housing and is visibly present as condensation, directly causing system malfunction. This defect leads to intermittent and unpredictable failure of the turn signal (blinker), including failure to activate and spontaneous activation without driver input. …”

NHTSA complaint #11725735, filed 2026-03

Lane departure: “My vehicle continues to accelerate when I press the gas pedal, and it sometimes makes clicking noises from underneath during acceleration. Occasionally, it veers to one side even when I keep the steering wheel straight. 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11605515, filed 2024-07

Other or unknown: “It is Acura ILX 2021. The current mileage is 17,480. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? *Driveshaft/suspension is broken after inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? *Intense shaking coming from underneath the vehicle. Worn out u-joints, couplers or carrier bearings can cause the driveshaft to vibrate and make noise when passing over bumps and potholes. If not fixed, it can lead to further damage to other drivetrain components. …”

NHTSA complaint #11551027, filed 2023-10

Air bags: “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. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was awaiting repairs. 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11447356, filed 2022-01, 2,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,000 and 9,600 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 5,800 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2021202220232024320252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Acura ILX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ILX · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 10.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Acura ILX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ILX FWD2.4L 4-cyl8-speed automatic243428$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Acura ILX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 36 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 36 bulletins →

Other model years of the Acura ILX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2021115,8000528—Not enough data
2020101,2402528—Not enough data
20193639,000552818 · FewerRising
2018233754529—Rising
20172018,3004529—Rising
20165225,000652975 · MoreStable
20151917,0004528—Rising
20142944,500552750 · TypicalStable
20136646,000652750 · TypicalStable

All Acura ILX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Acura ILX have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2021 Acura ILX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Acura ILX is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by lane departure with 3.

Has the 2021 Acura ILX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Acura ILX do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Acura ILX 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Acura ILX get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Acura ILX (ILX, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 24 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Acura ILX reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,800 miles and the middle half falls between 2,000 and 9,600 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.