2021 ACURA ILX

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
πŸ›‘οΈExcellent Safety Record

This 2021 model shows excellent reliability, primarily driven by a clean safety record with zero recalls and minimal consumer complaints.

Key Factor:zero recalls

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

A clean recall record is a positive signal for both safety and ownership costs. Vehicles with no known defects typically qualify for lower insurance premiums and face fewer unexpected repair expenses.

When negotiating insurance rates, a documented history of zero manufacturer recalls can support your case for preferred pricing.

Focus Area:clean safety record
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Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.2)
    πŸ“
    Summary:

Safety & Reliability Score

100/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-0
Complaint Impact-0.45
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 ACURA ILX

Model Year2021
MakeACURA
ModelILX
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Sep21
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

6 complaints (67% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 9 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟑Medium
3(33%)
🟒Low
6(67%)
βœ…Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 5,800 miles.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 2 of 9 complaints (22% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (100%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

No Recalls Found

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Zero Defect Certification

2021 ACURA ILX

Safety Milestone: The 2021 ACURA ILX maintains a perfect record. As of January 2026, there are 0 official recalls.

Compared to other 2021 models which average multiple safety campaigns, this vehicle's clean sheet is a testament to its engineering integrity.

πŸ›‘οΈ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide

Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:

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Brake System HealthInspect pads and fluid levels every 12,000 miles to ensure stopping power.
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Electrical & BatteryTest battery load annually; modern electronics are sensitive to voltage drops.
πŸ‘οΈ
Visibility ComponentsReplace wiper blades every 6-12 months and polish clouded headlights.
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Tire & Wheel CheckRotate tires every 5,000 miles and check TPMS sensors for accuracy.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
βœ“

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

9 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 ILX.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning67%
Noise22%
Vibrate22%
Acceleration Issues22%
Accident11%
Leak11%
Stuck11%
Crash/Accident11%
Safety SystemsπŸ”Ά Medium
AIR 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 permanent solution has been provided. This complaint is submitted to document manufacturer inability to supply a required safety component resulting in extended loss of vehicle use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,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.

VisibilityπŸ”΅ Low
VISIBILITY

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Steering/SuspensionπŸ”΅ Low
SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN 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? * No there is no sign of warning. Due to extreme noise, the vehicle was inspected.

Safety SystemsπŸ”΅ Low
SEAT 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.

ElectricalπŸ”Ά Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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.

Safety SystemsπŸ”Ά Medium
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.

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2021 ACURA ILX?

No, the 2021 ACURA ILX currently has no recorded recalls from NHTSA.

Is the 2021 ACURA ILX safe to drive?

The 2021 ACURA ILX has no active recalls, which is a positive safety indicator. Always maintain regular service intervals for optimal safety.

Where can I check if my 2021 ACURA ILX has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local ACURA dealer.

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

πŸ“ˆImproving Trend

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 100%.

🧭What This Means for You

This clean safety profile is particularly valuable for risk-averse buyers and families prioritizing reliability.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • No active recalls are recorded, but maintain regular service intervals and report any unusual symptoms to NHTSA.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.