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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-ACURA-ILXNHTSA data synced 6 days ago
Acura
2016 Acura ILX problems
The 2016 Acura ILX has 2 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 52 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2016 Acura ILX has 52 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 13 complaints, typically surfacing around 18,750 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
2
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 ILX?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Acura ILX? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 13 owner reports
· tends to show around 18,750 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
brakes — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,800 mi · ~$450 to fix
powertrain — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 42,331 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 12,117 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 18,750 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 ILX· electrical
On 12-28-16 as I was leaving for work. My engine would not start. Pedal to push down and start button was not working. All icons on my car popped up and says malfunction on all level. It also made weird sounds in front and inside the car. I called cerritos Acura for assistance…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Acura ilx. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change, a leak from the passenger side intermediate bearing seal was found. The leak could create a loss of power transfer to the wheels and cause the vehicle to stop suddenly. A parked vehicle would…
The car displayed multiple errors on its multi-information display. The errors include brake system problem, ABS problem, road departure mitigation system problem, and adaptive cruise control problem. Those error messages went away on my way to elk grove Acura but I was able to…
From second month of buying car, battery drained, Acura towing came and towed car to a nearby dealership and replace battery under warranty. Took car down to dealership that I purchased from about nose in front driver wheel hole and problems with the electrical components of the…
Had a problem with your 2016 Acura ILX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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 (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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Acura ILX has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2016 Acura ILX?
The 2016 Acura ILX is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Acura ILX?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 13 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 18,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Acura ILX a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 52 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 18,750 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Acura ILX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 13 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 18,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 18,750 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura ILX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Acura ILX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 52 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 6 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Acura/ILX.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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