Laguna Hills, CA – March 8, 2019 – Acura (American Honda Motor Company) is recalling 4,455 model year 2014-2019 Acura ILX vehicles. The vehicles may have a deformed fuel tank, resulting in the raised height of the fuel pump causing the fuel level float to stick. This could lead to inaccurate fuel levels displayed on the fuel gauge.
The defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report, an improper manufacturing process produced deformities in the bottom of certain fuel tanks, which could raise the fuel pump height, decreasing the clearance between the fuel float and the inner wall of the tank.
Fuel movement in the tank can then cause the float to stick along the inner wall, leading to incorrect gauge readings. In a worst-case scenario, the vehicle could run out of fuel and stall, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
Timeline of events
Honda received the first report of an inaccurate fuel gauge in February 2018. At that time, troubleshooting did not result in tank replacement.
Following additional reports of inaccurate fuel gauge readings, investigation continued from October 2018 through January 2019. Recreation tests by the supplier confirmed the problem, and revealed that an inappropriate cooling jig adjustment setting was used during a specific production period, resulting in the deformed tanks.
Further review also showed an inadequate cooling water flow rate during another phase of production, separate from the one in which the original fuel tank problems occurred. Records from this time confirmed that the tanks shrank and deformed due to the improper flow rate of cooling water.
On January 17, 2019, Honda determined that a motor vehicle safety defect existed, and decided to issue a safety recall. As of that date, Honda had received 621 warranty claims and 264 field reports. However, no reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue have been received.
The solution
In a statement issued Feb. 8, Acura announced that it is voluntarily recalling 4,455 model-year 2014-2019 ILX vehicles in the U.S. for inspection and, if needed, complimentary replacement of the fuel tanks, free of charge.
Acura is encouraging owners of affected vehicles to bring them to an authorized dealer for repair as soon as they receive notification from Acura. Notification will occur by mail, beginning in early March 2019.
MotorSafety.org can help you determine whether your vehicle is subject to a government-mandated recall or whether there is some factory notice that you should be informed of.
Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
