The 2019 ILX uses Honda's K24W7 2.4L engine paired with an 8-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission). While fundamentally reliable, this generation suffers from DCT shudder/jerking issues and early engine failures tied to oil dilution from direct injection — the same problems plaguing contemporary Honda CR-Vs and Accords with this powertrain.
DCT Transmission Shudder and Judder
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during low-speed acceleration or shifts, especially when warm, Hesitation when pulling away from a stop, Clunking or rough engagement in stop-and-go traffic
Fix: Initial fix is DCT software update (0.5 hr), but clutch pack replacement is often needed for persistent cases. Honda/Acura extended warranty coverage to 10yr/100k mi on some VINs. Full clutch pack R&R is 6-8 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500
Engine Oil Dilution and Premature Wear (K24W7)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil level rising above MAX on dipstick, smells like gasoline, Check engine light for misfires or fuel trim codes, Engine knock or rattling, especially on cold starts, Catastrophic failure: spun bearings, scored cylinder walls
Fix: Direct-injection fuel wash thins oil and causes bearing/ring damage. Acura extended powertrain warranty on some VINs. If caught early, oil changes every 3k mi can mitigate. Once bearing damage occurs, needs short block or complete engine rebuild: 18-24 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $6,000-9,000
Fuel Pump Failure (Recall-Related)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start or stalling while driving, Intermittent loss of power, especially under load, Fuel pump whining or buzzing noise from rear seat area
Fix: NHTSA recall for defective Denso fuel pumps (impellers swell and cause pump failure). Recall replaces pump at no cost. If out-of-pocket: 2.5-3 hours to drop tank and replace pump.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink/red fluid pooling under front of vehicle, Transmission overheating warning light or message, Burnt transmission fluid smell
Fix: Cooler lines corrode or crimp fittings leak at radiator connections. Requires cooler line replacement and DCT fluid flush. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive engine movement visible when accelerating, Vibration at idle
Fix: Rubber mounts deteriorate, especially the upper transmission mount. Replace mount: 1.5-2 hours labor. Often done alongside DCT service.
Fix: NHTSA recall for master cylinder bore corrosion. Covered under recall — dealer replaces master cylinder and bleeds system. 2 hours labor if out-of-pocket.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Owner tips
Change DCT fluid every 30k mi with Honda DW-1 or Idemitsu DCT fluid — critical for clutch pack longevity
Monitor oil level monthly; if rising or smells like gas, increase oil change frequency to 3k mi and document for warranty claims
Check for open recalls by VIN — fuel pump and master cylinder recalls are safety-critical
Avoid extended idling in cold weather (worsens oil dilution); let engine warm up while driving gently
Buy only if DCT software update and fuel pump recall completed, oil consumption documented as normal, and you can budget for potential transmission or engine work by 80k mi.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 25V859000
2025-12-11
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.
Consequence: Reduced brake function can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed February 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated May 1, 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.
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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 19V424000
2019-06-06
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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