NHTSA closes probe into 2019–2020 Acura ILX: Loss of braking force
On October 23, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25015) into 2019–2020 Acura ILX, concerning the service brakes, hydraulic. A Preliminary Evaluation is the first formal stage of an NHTSA defect investigation: ODI gathers information from the manufacturer and from owner reports to decide whether to close the case or take it further. ODI closed the preliminary evaluation on May 21, 2026.
- Action
- PE25015 (Preliminary Evaluation)
- Status
- Closed May 21, 2026
- Component
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Master Cylinder
- Listed
- 2 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Acura |
|---|---|
| Model | ILX |
| Model years | 2019–2020 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
On October 23, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25015 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2019-2020 MY Acura ILX vehicles. These complainants alleged master cylinder failures resulting in soft pedal feel or the brake pedal intermittently going to the floor. These failures could result in extended braking distance increasing the risk of a crash. Honda found that residual plasticizer in the brake reservoir hose could contaminate the brake fluid. This contaminated brake fluid was then absorbed by the secondary cup seal, causing it to swell. Engine heat during operation could further expand the swollen seal, allowing brake fluid to pass. Brake fluid bypassing the master cylinder cup seals can reduce brake-pedal firmness and increase stopping distance. On April 08, 2026, Honda filed Recall 25V-859, recalling all 2016-2020 MY Acura ILX vehicles produced from October 9, 2014, to January 29, 2020. Under the recall, the dealer will replace the brake master cylinder with redesigned inner cup seals made of a different material, providing improved sealing capability. In view of Honda filing Recall 25V-859 addressing the subject of this investigation, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for PE25015, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
What owners have reported
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the model years in this investigation, reporting 3 crashes, 1 injuries. These are all complaints on file for those vehicles, about any problem, not only this one; complaints are unverified owner reports.
| Vehicle | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 ILX | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 ILX | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and problems for these vehicles
Related recalls
NHTSA links these recall campaigns to PE25015.
Timeline
- ODI opens preliminary evaluation PE25015
- NHTSA recall 25V859000 (recall date)
- ODI closes PE25015
What this means for owners
- ODI closes an investigation when a recall addresses the issue or when it does not find enough evidence to continue. NHTSA’s closing report gives the reason; the recalls above are the ones NHTSA links to it.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search PE25015 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.