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2020 Acura ILX maintenance schedule

The 2020 ILX is part of the DE1/DE2/DE3 generation (2014-2022), sold as a sedan. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2020 ILX needs, and when

5 of these 10 items come from Acura's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Acura's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Maintenance Minder Main Code A/B; replace yearly if not prompted

1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 2; interval for severe/dusty conditions

15,000 miManufacturer
Cabin air filter

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 2; interval for severe/urban conditions

15,000 miManufacturer
Tire rotation

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 1

7,500 mi / 6 monthsIndependent
Brake fluid

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 7; independent 3-year interval

3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 5 estimated average

60,000 miIndependent
Transmission fluid

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 3; severe conditions drop interval to 25k-30k

60,000 miIndependent
Spark plugs

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 4

60,000 miIndependent
Timing chain

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 4 inspection parameters

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Serpentine belt

Maintenance Minder Sub-Code 2 inspection parameters

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Powertrains in this generation

  • 2.0L 4-cyl (R20A1), 150 hp, 5AT, FWD
  • 2.4L 4-cyl (K24Z7 / K24V7), 201 hp, 8DCT, FWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2020 ILX owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Transmission shifting

high severity

Hard shifting issue between gear 1 and 2 with grinding noises

Source: repairpal.com

Starter failure

medium severity

Intermittent starting issue; starter spins without engaging flywheel

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA recalls for the 2020 Acura ILX

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Acura dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA 25V859000

December 2025

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 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.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA 23V858000

December 2023

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.

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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$435

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other ILX model years

DE1/DE2/DE3 (2014-2022)

201420152016201720182019202020212022

Shopping new? The Acura ILX guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-17. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an ILX for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2020 ILX earns before you buy it.

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