Service bulletin - The 8-Speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) has a bump or hard shift when coming to a stop, usually on the downshift from 2nd to 1st. This symptom is intermittent and may be difficult to duplicate. The PCM settings are not properly breaking-in the odd and even clutches.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Acura ILX powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Acura ILX have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 ILX | 7 |
| 2016 ILX (this page) | 8 |
| 2017 ILX | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 8 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Acura ILX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service bulletin - Clients receive excessive notifications for a low power mode through AcuraLink®. There is a false CAN signal transmitted through the telematics control unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Distribution Schematics Added to Next Generation EWDs. Just so you know, we?ve added Power Distribution schematics to our Next Generation EWDs! You?ll find them under the Navigation pane on the left side of the screen along with the other schematics. Everything is fully integrated and operational using the Next Generation EWD interface that you?re already familiar with. Right now, this feature only applies to the 2016 ILX. It will be rolled out for all other models by March 21, 2016. Watch for announcements under WHAT?S HOT in the Service Information System (SIS).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 roll if the parking brake were not applied. Naples Acura (659 airport-pulling rd, naples, fl 34104, (239) 330-4212) was…
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 car. They stated "car is new drive it more" the electrical power stirring, the battery drains quickly(problem with…
Noticed loss of power, car would randomly go into limp mode while driving, I’d have to pull off to the side and restart the vehicle. Sometimes would hesitate or jerk.(this happened on the free way since I’m frequently on them) driveshaft feels likes it’s not performing 100%
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Acura ILX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Acura ILX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 42,331 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Acura/ILX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.