Makes›Acura›ILX›2013

2013 Acura ILX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Acura ILX
Pictured: 2019 Acura ILX A-Spec, front 11.4.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan/Hybrid
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
38 combined · 38 city / 38 hwy
Length
178.7 in
Curb weight
2,990 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2013 compact car (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Acura ILX is a compact car offered with 3 engines (1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 179 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,990 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 38 MPG combined (38 city / 38 highway), 47% better than the 2013 compact car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan/Hybrid178.7 in70.9 in55.5 in105.1 in59.1 / 59.8 in2,990 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ILX Hybrid Hybrid1.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive38 / 38 / 38+47%$2,150228
ILX2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27+4%$3,050322
ILX2.4L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25-3%$3,300361
9/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
9/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.9 MPG2013 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Acura ILX.

Similar 2013 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Acura ILX (this car)38 MPGNot rated6
2013 BMW 3 Series28 MPGNot rated0
2013 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated4
2013 Audi A426 MPGNot rated4
2013 Audi A526 MPGNot rated3
2013 Volvo S6024 MPGNot rated4
2013 BMW X127 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (6)

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Dec 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V770000 · 248,358 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
Risk
A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jun 27, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V500000 · 1,558 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 3, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V061000 · 2,232,187 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
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.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Jun 13, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V323000 · 14,078 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Co., Inc (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles manufactured January 16, 2012 to March 1, 2013, ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured January 12, 2012 to February 7, 2013, and certain model year 2014 ILX vehicles manufactured May 2, 2013, to May 31, 2014, and ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 18, 2013 to February 19, 2014. Excessive heat temperatures around the headlight bulb and reflector unit may diminish the output of the headlight and cause smoke, melting, and fire. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
The diminished light output may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additonally, the excessive heat coming from around the bulb and reflector could cause the headlights to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlights, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-862-2872. Honda's number for this recall is JE9.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jul 19, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V338000 · 172,837 vehicles

Problem
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
Risk
If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Acura ILX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

59Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
54,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags25
Electrical System13
Power Train9
Unknown Or Other6
Service Brakes5
Engine5
Suspension4
Exterior Lighting4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/09: 119/10: 120/07: 120/08: 120/10: 120/12: 121/02: 121/03: 321/05: 121/12: 122/09: 123/03: 123/07: 123/10: 123/12: 124/06: 224/08: 124/10: 225/01: 225/06: 126/02: 126/06: 226/07: 126/08: 119/0920/0821/0221/1223/0724/0625/0126/06max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Acura ILX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 25 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 9 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 54,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Acura ILX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other ILX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2022 ILX28181.9 in★★★★★03
2021 ILX28181.9 in★★★★★011
2020 ILX28181.9 in★★★★★210
2019 ILX28181.9 in★★★★★536
2018 ILX29181.9 in★★★★★423
2017 ILX29181.9 in★★★★★420
2016 ILX29181.9 in★★★★★652
2015 ILX28179.1 in★★★★★419
2014 ILX38178.7 in★★★★★530

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →