Makes›Acura›ILX›2016

2016 Acura ILX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 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
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 25 city / 35 hwy
Length
181.9 in
Curb weight
3,120 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Acura ILX is a compact car offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 182 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,120 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 35 highway), 9% better than the 2016 compact car average of 26.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,850 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2016

  • New body dimensions: 2.8 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 ILX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan181.9 in70.9 in55.5 in105.1 in59.4 / 59.8 in3,120 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
ILX2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (AM8)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29+9%$2,850309
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.6 MPG2016 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.7%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2016 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2016 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2016 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2016 Acura ILX 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2016 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Acura ILX (this car)29 MPG★★★★★6
2016 BMW 3 Series35 MPG★★★★★0
2016 Lexus IS26 MPGNot rated0
2016 Audi A427 MPGNot rated3
2016 Audi A339 MPG★★★★★6
2016 Audi A526 MPGNot rated3
2016 Volvo S6030 MPG★★★★★4

Recalls (6)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Dec 11, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V859000 · 70,658 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Acura ILX vehicles. Contaminated brake fluid may cause a seal inside the brake master cylinder to deform, which can cause an internal brake fluid leak and reduce brake function.
Risk
Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is RN5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 17, 2025. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jun 6, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V424000 · 49,898 vehicles

Problem
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. Excessive grease may prevent the set-ring on the half shaft from fully engaging, allowing the driveshaft to separate from the half shaft.
Risk
A separated driveshaft can cause the vehicle to have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move even while in Park, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, as necessary, replace the driveshaft and half shaft, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is G54.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Jan 24, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V052000 · 4,455 vehicles

Problem
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. The vehicles may have a deformed fuel tank, raising the height of the fuel pump and allowing the fuel level float to stick, possibly causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate fuel level.
Risk
If the fuel gauge displays that the vehicle has more gas than it actually does, the vehicle may run out of gas and stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is H3U, Z3T.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Acura ILX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

52Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
25,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags17
Service Brakes12
Unknown Or Other10
Power Train8
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Electrical System4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/10: 117/12: 119/03: 119/05: 119/10: 519/11: 119/12: 120/09: 121/05: 121/12: 122/07: 122/10: 123/04: 123/05: 124/07: 124/09: 125/08: 125/10: 126/01: 126/02: 326/03: 326/04: 326/05: 126/07: 117/1019/0519/1221/1223/0424/0926/0126/04max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 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 — 17 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Service Brakes — 12 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Power Train — 8 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 25,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 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
2015 ILX28179.1 in★★★★★419
2014 ILX38178.7 in★★★★★530
2013 ILX38178.7 inNot rated659

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