By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse
Most brake caliper complaints on a 2013-2017 Acura ILX come down to one thing: a caliper that can no longer slide or release freely, usually because its slide pins have corroded or run dry. The signs are a pull to one side, one pad worn far thinner than its partner, a hot wheel or a burning smell after a drive. Before you buy a caliper, also rule out a soft-pedal problem that is really a master cylinder recall on 2016 and later cars.
How the ILX brake system is laid out
According to Acura's owner information, every ILX uses disc brakes at all four wheels, with vacuum power assist, ABS and a brake assist function that adds stopping force during a hard emergency stop. The parking brake is a hand lever, not an electronic switch, and on four-wheel-disc cars of this type the lever works a mechanism built into the rear calipers. That matters when you replace a rear caliper: there is no scan tool service mode to worry about, but the parking brake cable and the rear caliper's apply mechanism have to be connected and adjusted correctly.
The ILX calipers are the floating, slide-pin type. The caliper body rides on two guide pins so that a piston on the inboard side can push the inner pad while the body slides over and pulls the outer pad in. When those pins move freely, both pads clamp evenly and both release when you lift off the pedal. When they bind, everything below goes wrong.
Fluid is part of caliper health too. Acura specifies Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 for the ILX, warns that DOT 5 fluid is not compatible with the system and can cause extensive damage, and allows DOT 3 or DOT 4 from a sealed container only as a temporary substitute. Old, wet fluid is what corrodes caliper bores and pistons from the inside.
Symptoms of a failing or sticking caliper
- Uneven pad wear. One pad on a wheel worn much thinner than the other, or one side of the car wearing faster than the other. Brake and Front End's tech tip lists this as the classic sign of a slider caliper that cannot move freely.
- Pulling under braking. The car drifts toward the side with the caliper that grips harder, or away from a caliper that is not applying fully.
- Dragging and heat. One wheel noticeably hotter than the others after a drive, a burning smell, or the car feeling like it is coasting against a brake.
- Noise. ADVICS lists brake pad noise and excessive pad wear as the main symptoms of a sticking slide pin. Remember the ILX pads also have a metal wear indicator that makes a metallic friction noise when the pads are low, per Acura, so noise alone does not prove a bad caliper.
- Visible leak. Wet fluid on the inside of the wheel or on the caliper body means a failed piston seal, and that caliper must be replaced.
- Rear parking brake problems. A rear caliper whose apply mechanism is seizing can leave the parking brake weak or let it hold slightly after release.
Rule this out first: the 2016-2020 master cylinder recall
If your complaint is a brake pedal that feels soft or sinks, or longer stopping distances, the calipers may not be the problem at all. Honda recalled 2016-2020 Acura ILX sedans under NHTSA recall 25V859 because residual plasticizer from the brake reservoir hose can make a seal inside the master cylinder swell. The Brake Report's summary of the filing says the swollen seal lets fluid bypass during slow brake applications, reducing pedal firmness and increasing stopping distance. The remedy is a redesigned master cylinder installed by Acura dealers at no charge.
So on a 2016 or 2017 ILX, run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before spending money. A caliper does not cause a pedal that slowly sinks with no external leak; a master cylinder can. If the recall is already done and the pedal is firm, go back to the caliper checks above.
What causes ILX caliper problems
The industry tech sources agree on the list:
| Cause | What it does | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or corroded slide pins | Caliper body cannot slide, so one pad does most of the work | Clean or replace pins, lubricate with the correct grease |
| Damaged pin boots and sleeves | Water and grit reach the pins and corrode them | Replace boots and sleeves, usually with a hardware kit |
| Swollen or hardened guide seals | Pin binds in its bore | Replace seals, and use rubber-safe grease |
| Worn slides or bent bracket | Caliper sits misaligned and wears pads unevenly | Replace bracket or caliper assembly |
| Corroded piston or leaking seal | Piston sticks out and drags, or fluid leaks | Replace the caliper |
ADVICS notes the pins corrode once their lubrication is gone and that the boot and sleeve get damaged by heat and friction. Their recommended fix is anti-rust grease on the pin itself and rubber grease on the boot and sleeve. Brake and Front End recommends replacing all mounting hardware when you install a replacement caliper and using a high-temperature caliper lubricant on sleeves, bushings, sliding surfaces and pins.
Repair or replace: making the call
If the only problem is a sticky pin and the boots are intact, cleaning and relubricating the pins with new pads and a fresh brake hardware kit often solves it. Replace the caliper itself when:
- the piston will not retract smoothly or is visibly pitted,
- the piston seal or dust boot is leaking or torn,
- the bracket is bent or the pin bores are corroded beyond cleaning,
- a rear caliper's parking brake mechanism is seized.
Calipers are normally replaced in pairs on the same axle so both sides apply with the same force. Browse our replacement brake calipers by vehicle to match your ILX's front or rear position.
What to replace at the same time
A dragging caliper almost always damages the pads, and often overheats the rotor. Plan on:
- Pads on both wheels of that axle. For 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid owners, the Hawk HPS 5.0 front brake pads for the ILX Hybrid are a street performance option, and 2013-2015 Hybrid cars can also use the EBC Yellowstuff front pad set. Other trims can shop our brake pads by vehicle.
- Rotors, if they are blued, scored or vibrate. For a 2013 ILX Base, the Hawk Talon drilled and slotted front rotor set fits, and 2017 ILX 2.4L owners can choose the EBC GD Sport slotted front rotors or the EBC USR slotted front rotors.
- Slide pin hardware and clips, so the new caliper does not inherit old, corroded pieces.
- Brake fluid. Opening the system is the right time to bleed and refill with the DOT 3 fluid Acura specifies.
How hard is the job
A front caliper swap on an ILX is a moderate driveway job: support the car safely on stands, remove the wheel, disconnect the brake hose, remove the caliper and bracket bolts, install the new caliper with new hardware, then bleed that corner. Torque every bolt and the hose fitting to the values in the factory service manual rather than guessing. Rear calipers add the parking brake cable, so confirm the lever applies and releases fully before the car goes back on the road. After any caliper work, pump the pedal until it is firm before moving the car, then bed in new pads with a series of moderate stops. If you are not comfortable bleeding brakes, this is a job to hand to a shop.
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Shop Brake Calipers →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2013-2017 Acura ILX have an electronic parking brake?
No. Acura's owner information describes a hand lever parking brake. The rear calipers carry the mechanical apply mechanism, so no scan tool is needed to retract the rear pistons, but the cable and lever must work correctly after the job.
Is the ILX brake recall about the calipers?
No. Recall 25V859 covers 2016-2020 ILX models and replaces the brake master cylinder because a swollen internal seal can reduce pedal firmness. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site; the dealer repair is free.
Can I just replace one caliper?
You can, but replacing both calipers on the same axle is the common practice because it keeps clamping force equal side to side and avoids a pull. Always replace pads on both sides of the axle.
What grease should go on ILX slide pins?
A high-temperature caliper lubricant for the pins, and a rubber-safe grease for the boots and sleeves. ADVICS recommends anti-rust grease on the pin and rubber grease on the boot and sleeve.
What brake fluid does the Acura ILX use?
Acura specifies Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3. DOT 3 or DOT 4 from a sealed container is acceptable only as a temporary substitute. Never use DOT 5.
Sources
- Acura ILX Owner's Manual - Brake System - four-wheel disc brakes, vacuum assist, brake assist, ABS, lever parking brake, pad wear indicator
- Acura ILX Owner's Manual - Brake/Clutch Fluid - Honda Heavy Duty DOT 3 specification, DOT 5 warning, temporary substitutes
- The Brake Report - Honda Recalls Acura ILX Over Master Cylinder Defect - recall 25V859 cause, symptoms and remedy
- ADVICS - Troubleshooting Caliper Slide Pin Sticking - slide pin symptoms, causes and lubrication
- Brake and Front End - Bent or Binding Mounting Pins - uneven pad wear causes and replacing hardware with calipers
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