2019 Acura Ilx

I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the handling of a safety recall repair performed on my 2019 Acura ILX at Maus Acura of North Tampa. I initially brought my vehicle in to address a safety recall related to the brake master cylinder. As explained in the recall notice, the issue involved contamination of the brake fluid that could affect braking performance. The dealership proceeded with replacing the brake master cylinder, as expected. However, the situation became significantly concerning following the completion of the recall service: After the recall repair was completed, my vehicle would not start and had no power. The dealership later informed me that a voltage spike during battery installation damaged the PCM, requiring replacement. The PCM was subsequently replaced, and the vehicle was returned to me. In addition to this, I experienced further issues after retrieving my vehicle: My second key was no longer functioning, which required an additional visit to the dealership for reprogramming. More importantly, I am now experiencing a new issue that did not exist prior to the recall service: when I am stopped (for example, at a traffic light) and holding the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrates noticeably. This ongoing vibration is particularly concerning because: It began only after the recall repair and related work were performed. It affects the normal operation and comfort of the vehicle. It raises questions about whether the repair process may have introduced additional mechanical or engine-related issues. At this point, I am very concerned about the overall quality of the service performed and the series of problems that occurred immediately after what should have been a straightforward recall repair.

My 2019 Acura ILX (VIN: [XXX] , 69,349 miles) is experiencing severe, dangerous brake system failure directly matching Acura Safety Recall RN5 / NHTSA Campaign 25V859 (Brake Master Cylinder). The vehicle does not stop properly. Due to the hydraulic malfunction of the defective factory master cylinder, the brake pads are overheating and melting quickly. The vehicle is unsafe to operate on public roads.I contacted multiple authorized local dealerships, including Grubbs Acura in Grapevine, TX and Park Place Acura, and both confirmed they cannot perform the safety repair because the manufacturer has not provided the necessary recall parts. I escalated this urgent safety issue to American Honda’s corporate support line (1-888-234-2138). A corporate supervisor called me back but failed to provide a resolution, an emergency parts allocation, or alternative safe transportation.The manufacturer is currently unable to supply critical safety remedy parts for an active, catastrophic brake failure, and they have refused to provide a temporary loaner or rental vehicle to mitigate the hazard. I am filing this urgent complaint because I am stranded with an undriveable vehicle due to a critical safety defect that the manufacturer cannot remedy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reporting intermittent brake failure, where brake sank to the floor on the first press without any effect of slowing the vehicle. Fortunately, in each instance, on the second press the brakes functioned normally and slowed the vehicle, so no accident or injury occurred. The first incident was in May 2022 after driving over a speed bump -- at the time I assumed user error and did not report the incident. The brakes failed a second time in March 2025 when descending a hill at 35 mph, and a third time in April 2025 after U-turning on a hill at low speeds. At that time, I opted to tow the car to the dealer for a repair. The dealer found no brake issues on inspection/testing, but after finding another case report recommended replacing the master cylinder. Of note, this is similar to NHTSA recall 23V-458 for other Acura/Honda models from 2019/2020 where there were issues with the master cylinder, but the Acura ILX was not included. There was also a NHTSA Acura Service Bulletin 22-014 from 2022 advising of a search for Acura 2019 ILX vehicles with an intermittent brake issue. I have also attached my correspondence with Acura.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - On multiple occasions (at least 6) I was unable to slow down my car using the break, when breaking the pedal would go down but the car would not slow down. I had to re-engage the breaks to slow the car down. This has happened multiple time in different driving environments including when coming off a stop sign stop, leaving a parallel parking spot, exiting a highway exit at 45 miles an hr. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Being unable to stop the car could lead to me hitting other cars, being unable to stop, hitting a pedestrian, or worse. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - No I took it to Sterling Mcall Acura in Houston Texas and was told it was fine but the issue persisted. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? it was looked at by sterling mcall acura with no issue found. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings shown

My passenger and I were stopped in a gas line, and had just moved my car from park to drive. I tapped on my gas pedal to inch the car forward as the car in front of me was now about 3 car lengths ahead of me. As I lifted my foot off the pedal and the car began to roll, it picked up speed and started to accelerate, despite my foot being off the gas pedal. Upon attempting to brake multiple times, the brakes would not engage.  The car was launched forward approximately one (1) car length. The car started to tick and the auto brakes kicked in. Only then did my brakes reengage. During this time, none of the warning lights came on aside from my empty fuel light; however it came on since I only had 30 miles of range left. Had the car not detected another car in front of me, I fear worse could have happened. I took my car to the Acura Service Center. Upon inspection of the car, Acura’s service center did not find any issues with the computer system or the car. They also could not replicate the issue, and they sent me home with the car. This is not the first time that this has happened.  Approximately a year prior this incident, I was rolling to a stop when the brakes would not engage. After a few attempts, the brakes did reengage. Auto brakes did not kick in.  During this incident, I did not take the car to the shop, assuming that this was human error. However, after the car launched about 10 feet forward on its own, I fear that this will happen again.  Since the car does not detect people, I worry that this will occur again and could potentially cause a more fatal outcome.  Not only do I fear for my safety, but I fear for the safety of pedestrians and other drivers around me, as the unpredictability in this problem leaves me feeling uncomfortable to drive the car. 

WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT HAPPENS WHILE GOING FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. SLOW SPEEDS OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT STOP. I HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO PARAGON ACURA IN QUEENS NY AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THEY PROVIDED A STATEMENT TO ME IN AUGUST SAYING THAT THE POWER BRAKING SYSTEM IS AFFECTED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING BEING ON AS THAT DISRUPTS THE ENGINE VACCUM. SO I ASKED SO THEN THERE'S A RECALL CORRECT AND WAS GIVEN A SHOULDER SHRUG. TO THIS DAY, THE PEDAL GOES OUT AND IS PLACING ME AND OTHERS IN DANGER