MODEL
Acura ILX Safety
NHTSA safety across every Acura ILX model year we cover.
Across the 4 model years of the Acura ILX we cover (2019 to 2022), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2022 at 91 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 85. 7 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Acura ILX is a compact entry-luxury sedan that slots into Honda's premium brand as an accessible gateway to the Acura lineup. Aimed at younger professionals and first-time luxury buyers, the ILX competes in a segment where refinement and brand cachet matter as much as capability. Our coverage spans the 2019 through 2022 model years, a period in which the car's safety profile remained largely consistent.
Side-impact protection is a clear highlight for the Acura ILX, achieving a 5-out-of-5-star NHTSA rating in the 2022 model year. This performance contributes to an Exceptional band rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100 for that year. While robust in side protection, the ILX's frontal and rollover protection each registered 4 out of 5 stars. These are competent results, though they indicate that frontal crash energy management is a legitimate consideration for daily driving risk, as they are not perfect scores. Across the 2019 to 2022 model years, the ILX accumulated 7 recalls, a moderate count for a four-year period. Prospective buyers should review these on NHTSA's database. Owner complaints totaled 58 across the covered years, including 6 reported crash allegations and 2 reported injuries. While these allegations are unverified, the pattern warrants attention during pre-purchase due diligence. On balance, the ILX presents a genuinely strong safety profile for its segment, particularly in its most recent covered year. Buyers prioritizing strong side-impact protection and an above-average overall safety index will find the ILX a defensible choice, provided any open recalls are verified as resolved.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Acura ILX as a competent and refined entry-luxury sedan that delivers a polished driving experience for its segment. Most find it well-suited to buyers stepping into the Acura brand for the first time, though some note that the competitive compact luxury segment has grown increasingly crowded, leaving the ILX feeling conservative relative to newer rivals.
- The 2022 ILX achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100, landing in the Exceptional band, making it the strongest performer in our covered 2019 to 2022 window.
- Side-impact crash protection is the ILX's standout result, earning a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA in the best tested year, while frontal and rollover ratings each come in at 4 out of 5 stars.
- Seven recalls were issued across the 2019 to 2022 model years. Shoppers should run any specific VIN through the NHTSA recall database and confirm all recall repairs have been completed before buying.
- Fifty-eight owner complaints were filed across covered years, including 6 alleged crash incidents and 2 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, but reviewing the complaint detail on NHTSA.gov is a smart step for any used-ILX shopper.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Acura ILX with 5 recalls.