ACURA ILX · model year

2021 ACURA ILX

13 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021ACURAILX carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2021 ILX is unknown or other with 3 filings, followed by air bags (2) and electrical system (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2021 ILX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

13
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
2021 ACURA ILX - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 ACURA ILX. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 - Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
AIR BAGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
SEAT BELTS1
SUSPENSION1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION1
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING1

Recent Complaints

20251219CrashAIR BAGS

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 delivered to Caliber Collision in Corpus Christi, Texas. All accident-related repairs have been completed. However, the vehicle cannot be released because a required airbag and/or airbag module is unavailable. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. has advised that the safety component is unavailable to be sold and that no estimated time of availability exists. Due to the safety nature of the missing component, the repair facility has confirmed the vehicle cannot be legally or safely released. The delay is no longer accident-related and is solely due to manufacturer unavailability of a safety-critical, non-cosmetic part. I have requested interim solutions including buyback, rental assistance, or a dealership loaner, and no temporary or perm

20240730UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20240730LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

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.

20240730LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

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.

20240229VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

The contact owns a 2021 Acura ILX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the white lines on the road appeared curved through the windshield. The contact then noticed that the windshield was distorted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the windshield was delaminating and needed to be replaced. The windshield was replaced under warranty; however, the replacement windshield was also defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 9,600.

Mileage: 9,600

20240122EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Upon and after raining the headlights leak and water enters the inside of the headlights. It my cause a short. Unsafe driving conditions at night.

20231020UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? * Not sure for 2021 model. However, there is a recall history for model 2016-2019 Acura ILX. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? * The vehicle was inspected and waiting for remedy. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?

20231020SUSPENSION

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. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? * Not sure for 2021 model. However, there is a recall history for model 2016-2019 Acura ILX. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? * The vehicle was inspected and waiting for remedy. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?

20231002SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2021 Acura ILX. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, he became aware that the driver's seat belt was stuck and would not uncoil. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

20221223CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical Failure. Safety was an issue with vehicle needing constant jumps. Problem was checked at dealer. My concern was continuously overlooked. Warning lamps didn't warn.

20221223CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Electrical Failure. Safety was an issue with vehicle needing constant jumps. Problem was checked at dealer. My concern was continuously overlooked. Warning lamps didn't warn.

20220113CrashAIR 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.

Mileage: 2,000

20210902UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle suddenly decelerated without warning. Transmission would not shift to a higher gear causing the vehicle rev. Warning lights on the dashboard started going off at the same time. Lanes departure and adaptive cruise control warning went off. Had to have vehicle towed to dealership. Lucilky this happened on a rural backroad and not on the freeway or busy road as someone could have rear-ended the vehicle. Dealership was given video of incident and couldn't replicate the issue and we were told that the car did not store any of the error codes for the warning lights that came on the dash. The evening before the brake lights would not turn off when when the vehicle was turned off. Dealership said it was an adjustment that needed to be made to the switch on the brake pedal. Car is unsafe to drive as if this were to happen again on a busy highway or road without notice the persons behind would not be expecting the vehicle to suddenly drastically drop speed and not be able to accelerate.

Compare 2021ACURAILX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 ACURA ILX have?
The 2021 ACURA ILX has 13 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 ACURA ILX?
The 2021 ACURA ILX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 ACURA ILX?
The most-complained component for the 2021 ACURA ILX is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2021 ACURA ILX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 ACURA ILX has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2021 ACURA ILX; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.