Investigations
Loss of braking force
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE25015 — open, opened 2025-10-23 and involving the ACURA ACURA.
NHTSA investigation PE25015 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2025-10-23 and currently open. The subject of record is ACURA ACURA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for ACURA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2025-10-23 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE25015 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 4 VOQs and a few Early Warning Reporting field reports alleging a loss of brake performance in MY2019 Acura ILX vehicles. The MY2020 Acura ILX is also included withi..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related ACURA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 4 VOQs and a few Early Warning Reporting field reports alleging a loss of brake performance in MY2019 Acura ILX vehicles. The MY2020 Acura ILX is also included within the scope of the investigation due to the shared brake system design with MY2019. Consumers allege that when attempting apply the brake, the brake pedal pushed to the floor with a loss of braking force. There was no detectability prior to the occurrence. Failure or malfunction of the braking system can result in extended stopping distance, which may lead to an increased risk of a crash resulting in injury and/or property damage. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. To review the ODI reports cited in the opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other ACURA Investigations
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.