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2014 Acura ILX problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

VERY HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
60%
6 of 10 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

60% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2014 Acura ILX are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. Well over half of everything owners reported is the drivetrain. That is a severe model-level pattern; every model year we track at this level has a documented failure behind it.

Worse than 81% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 19 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 21%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2014 Acura ILX have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 6 of 10 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Acura ILX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (60%), and the largest group is filed under engine (3). For comparison, the 2013 scores 44%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
6
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
29
this model year
Fires reported
2
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
5
2 crashes · 2 injuries

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS20 · 69%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3 · 10%
ENGINE3 · 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2 · 7%
POWER TRAIN2 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1 · 3%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
44%
17 of 66
2014
60%
6 of 29
2015
too few complaints
2016
32%
12 of 52
2017
too few complaints
2018
too few complaints
2019
17%
6 of 36
2020
too few complaints
2021
too few complaints
2022
too few complaints
2023
no data

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Same car, a better year

Other luxury sedans with no elevated signal in 2014

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM07/02/2026
I will be taking my car to be looked at. There is a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin. Smell came out of nowhere and none of my service lights came on.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE10/29/2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA IXL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE ENGINE START BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON TONKIN ACURA (855-389-6164, LOCATED AT 9655 …
STEERING,AIR BAGS,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION12/18/2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE REAR CAMERA DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE STALLED AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JP THIBODEAUX AUTOMOTIVE (2511 US-90, NEW IBERIA, LA 70560, (866) 790-11…

Three of 6 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2014 Acura ILX (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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 a…
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, an…
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, 2007-2…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2014 Acura ILX

Questions people ask about the 2014 Acura ILX

Does the 2014 Acura ILX have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 6 of 10 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Acura ILX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (60%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2014 Acura ILX?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2014 Acura ILX. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Acura ILX years are better?

Among the Acura ILX years we track, the 2019 (17%), the 2016 (32%) and the 2013 (44%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2014 (60%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2014 Acura ILX?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2014 Acura ILX has an elevated engine complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing engine work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.