Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 ILX.
The 2021 Acura ILX runs a 4.6-quart 0W-20 oil fill paired with an AM-S8 automatic transmission and carries EPA ratings of 24/34/28 mpg. Owner-reported issues center on exterior lighting and lane departure, yet the model accumulated only 11 total complaints and zero recalls. Within the 2013–2022 complaint history, where annual totals reached a high of 65 in 2013 and a low of 3 in 2022, the 2021 ILX sits near the lower end, marking it as one of the more settled years in the model run.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S8) |
| Overall length | 181.9 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3120 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.4 / 59.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 24 / 34 / 28 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 89 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the ILX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2.4L Technology Plus & A-SPEC Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.60 sec | 15.20 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2016 | 2.4L Technology Plus & A-SPEC Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.80 sec | 15.20 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2016 | 2.4L Technology Plus & A-SPEC Package 2.4L I-4 | 7.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | 2.0L Technology Package 2.0L I-4 | 8.30 sec | 16.60 sec | 150 hp | FWD |
| 2014 | 2.4L Premium Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.20 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2013 | 2.4L Premium Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.40 sec | 15.00 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2013 | 2.4L Premium Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2013 | 2.4L Premium Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.90 sec | 15.40 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.6 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | Acura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 1.7 Gallons |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.6 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Honda P/N 08206-9002 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 54.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Flex or Driveplate Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 40 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Acura |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.06-1.17 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | SANDEN SE-A1 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 410 cca |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 56.36 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 63.9 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 56.6-63.9 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10.1 minimum psi @ curb idle speed psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure RPM | 43.5 minimum psi @ 3,000 rpm's rpm |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 37; Rear: 17 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 80; Rear: 55 |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: .906; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120° | 30 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not use an impact wrench. Step 1: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° · If using a new Crankshaft or Pulley Bolt: Step 1: 133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove Bolt and Reinstall
| 3 | 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90° | 37 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: This step is for new cylinder head bolts only: 90° | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 41° | 26 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 Acura ILX represents a notable improvement in reliability trends within its generation, particularly when viewed through the federal complaint and recall data. Complaints dropped sharply from 35 in 2019 to just 11 in 2021, while recalls fell to zero—marking the first year without any recalls since the model’s 2013 debut. This places 2021 at the tail end of a downward trajectory in reported issues, following the 2020 model year, which also saw low complaints (9) and minimal recalls (2). The top complaint areas for 2021—exterior lighting, air bags, and lane departure—are minor in volume (2-3 reports each) and lack a clear systemic pattern, suggesting isolated rather than widespread concerns. With no crash-related fire complaints and only three crash-related reports, the 2021 ILX stands out as one of the most trouble-free years in this generation. **This makes it a strong used purchase candidate, offering a balance of low reported issues and no outstanding recalls.**
All 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 36 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B24040A | 2024-05-01 | Engine | Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019… |
| B23-012 | 2023-08-24 | Exterior Lighting | Service Bulletin - Vehicle owner notices condensation or moisture trapped inside one or… |
| B23-012 | 2023-06-09 | Exterior Lighting | Service Bulletin - The headlight making contact with a body panel can create a separation… |
| BTI&12062022 | 2022-12-06 | Exterior Lighting | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2022… |
| BTI&11282022909 | 2022-11-28 | Exterior Lighting | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2022… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.6 qt of Acura 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 24 city / 34 highway / 28 combined mpg.