New owner here. I bought a new ILX (2.0 AT Premium) about a month ago. On the drive from the dealer back to work, I noticed a rough ride and experienced symptoms of motion sickness (nausea, headaches). I called the sales manager the next day, and he suggested it might be due to temporary flat spots on the tires developed while sitting on the lot too long. Over time the ride improved somewhat, but the symptoms remain.

Before purchasing my car, I went for six test drives (five as driver, once as front seat passenger) at two dealerships and never experienced any problems. My ILX is currently with the service department for the second time, and they still can't find any problems.

Athough it wouldn't explain the harsh ride, I suspect (but can't prove) that the windshield may be related to the symptoms. Anyone here experience something similar or have any suggestions?

 

Not sure if the ILX uses a similar system, but when I Was working at Chevrolet, we had a lady bring her Equinox back because it made her sick when she drove.
It was something with the stereo, it emits a sound to cancel out the noise of the fuel pump IIRC. It only affected certain people. I drove it with no problems, but we had a tech that didn't even make it out of the parking lot.
GM flew a couple engineers out from Detroit & they couldn't fix it, so GM bought it back from her.

Again, not sure if the ILX uses a system like that for noise cancellation.

 

The ILX does indeed use a system that emits a negative sound to cancle out ambient noises. That's the only explanation I could figure outside of possible medical reasons.

I am sorry you're experiencing this :\

 

Noise canceling systems like that are annoying imo. I wish Acura would offer a way to disable it.

 

why not rent a car and drive it for a few days...
if you get headaches and motion sickness, maybe you're pregnant. On the bright side, you won't need new tires.

I seriously hope you get this resolved!

 

Not sure if the radio is the problem if the test drives didn't make him sick. (From his post I'm assuming you took the ILX for the test drive every time?)

Flat spots are real. My car gets them from sitting after less than a week! It goes away the day I drive it but you also said the bumps have gone away.

I'm not sure what the issue is. Have you driven another car besides the ILX? Maybe test drive a newer TL or TSX?

 

If the test drives were in different cars, it could be the radio.
The Equinox I mentioned above was just 1 car. She got into another Equinox with no problems.

 

First time I've heard of this, but I'm impressed with the collective knowledge and recommendations that the forum members have already shared. Hope you can get it resolved. Keep us posted.

 

This is the first I've heard of flat spots. Sucks..

 

Do you eat a vegetarian/vegan diet by any chance?

 

The ILX comes with Michelins, right? They generally don't flat spot, so I think the sales manager was hoping for a psychological cure.

If the suggestions in the other comments don't pan out, then I'd check your cabin filter and engine air filter. Maybe some fumes are getting back into the cabin making you nauseous. Weather permitting, try driving with windows open and see if that helps. I know, it's a new car so the filters should be clean.

The other possibility is new car smell. Some people like it, some people get sick from it.

 

Try popping the fuse for the radio to disable the noise cancellation system. See if that makes a difference.

A co-worker of mine can't ride in a car unless he is driving. Otherwise he gets motion sick. Doesn't matter what kind of car. It really sucks.

 

I think someone had a motion sickness problem with an RDX as well; maybe its the tech in the suspension systems.

 

Maybe you're hypersensitive to the chemicals from the new car. The seats, etc. are all treated and give off that "new car smell" for awhile. If you drive with the windows open does the nausea go away?

 

This is definitely a possibility.
My parents' previous neighbors were this way. They went to buy a Lexus & the husband just went & sat in it for nearly an hour just to make sure it wouldn't bother him. Don't remember which car they had to turn down because something in the interior made him nauseated.