Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Like all of my other charts/diagrams/data sheets, this one is a compilation of many different sources. So you won't see anything this detailed in another place.

Mods, please move this where you think it belongs and would be most beneficial. It wouldn't hurt to have a link in the FAQ.


Chassis Number (1973-1980)
====================


1st and 2nd Characters: Car Line & Engine - Chassis Code
https://honda-tech.com/forums/moderated-threads-55/ultimate-honda-chassis-code-list-1928390/

3rd Character: Body Type & Transmission
A = 2 Door, 4 Speed Manual
B = 2 Door, 2 Speed Automatic
C = 3 Door, 4 Speed Manual
D = 3 Door, 2 Speed Automatic
E = 3 Door, 5 Speed Manual
F = 2 Door, 5 Speed Manual
G = 3 Door LX, 2 Speed Automatic
H = 3 Door LX, 5 Speed Manual
J = 4 Door, 5 Speed Manual
K = 4 Door, 2 Speed Automatic

4th Character: Generation Year of Model
1 = First
2 = Second
3 = Third
4 = Fourth
5 = Fifth
6 = Sixth
7 = Seventh

5th through 10th Characters: Serial Number
000001+



Vehicle Identification Number (VIN, 1981+)
====================


The first three characters uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle using the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) code. There are 2 methods for determining the WMI.

WMI Method 1:

1st Character: Country of Origin
A = South Africa, Ivory Coast
B = Angola, Kenya, Tanzania
C = Benin, Madagascar, Tunisia
D = Egypt, Morocco, Zambia
E = Ethiopia, Mozambique
F = Ghana, Nigeria
J = Japan
K = Sri Lanka, Israel, South Korea
L = China
M = India, Indonesia, Thailand
N = Pakistan, Turkey
P = Phillipines, Singapore, Malaysia
R = United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Vietnam
S = Great Britain, Germany, Poland
T = Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal
U = Denmark, Ireland, Romania, Slovakia
V = Austria, France, Spain, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Estonia
W = Germany
X = Bulgaria, Greece, Netherlands, Russia, Luxembourg
Y = Belgium, Finland, Malta, Sweden, Norway, Belarus, Ukraine
Z = Italy, Slovenia, Lithuania
1 = USA
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico, Costa Rica, Cayman Islands
4 = USA
5 = USA
6 = Australia
7 = New Zealand
8 = Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
9 = Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Trinidad & Tobago

2nd Character: Make/Manufacturer
A = Audi, Jaguar
B = BMW, Dodge
C = Chrysler
D = Mercedes
G = General Motors
H = Honda
L = Lincoln
M = Mercury
N = Nissan
P = Plymouth
T = Toyota
V = Volvo, VW
1 = Chevrolet
2 = Pontiac
3 = Oldsmobile
4 = Buick
5 = Pontiac
6 = Cadillac
7 = General Motors (Canada)
8 = Saturn

Some manufacturers use the third character as a code for a vehicle category (e.g., bus or truck), a division within a manufacturer, or both.

3rd Character: Vehicle Type
F = Honda Motorcycle, Built in USA
G = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in USA/Canada/Mexico/China
H = Acura Passenger Vehicle, Built in Canada
H = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in UK
J = Honda Light Duty Truck, Built in Canada
K = Honda Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in Canada
L = Honda Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in Japan
M = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in Japan
N = Honda Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in USA
N = Acura Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in Canada
P = Honda Light Duty Truck, Built in USA
R = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in Indonesia
S = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in UK
1 = Honda Motorcycle, Built in Mexico
2 = Honda Motorcycle, Built in Japan
3 = Honda ATV, Built in Japan
4 = Acura Passenger Vehicle, Built in Japan


WMI Method 2: The first character still represents the country of origin. The second character no longer represents the Make/Manufacturer, and the third character no longer represents the vehicle type. Instead, the second and third characters are combined with the first character to make a generic code.

1st through 3rd Characters:
LUC = Honda Automobile (China)
MRH = Honda Automobile (Thailand)
RKT = Honda Automobile (Taiwan)
VTM = Honda Motorcycle (Spain)
YC1 = Honda Motorcycle (Belguim)
ZDC = Honda Motorcycle (Italy)
19U = Acura CL & TL (1999+)
478 = Honda ATV (USA)
4S6 = Honda Passport (All)
5FN = Honda Odyssey (2002+) & Pilot (2005+)
5FP = Honda Ridgeline (2009+)
5J6 = Honda Element (All) and Honda CR-V
5J8 = Acura RDX (All)
93H = Honda Automobile (Brazil)
9C2 = Honda Motorcycle (Brazil)


The 4th through 9th characters in the VIN are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS). This is used, according to local regulations, to identify the vehicle type and may include information on the platform used, the model, and the body style. Each manufacturer has a unique system for using this field. Most manufacturers since the 1980s have used the 8th digit to identify the engine type whenever there is more than one engine choice for the vehicle.


4th and 5th Characters: Car Line & Engine - Chassis Code (1981-1986)
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1928390

6th Character: Transmission Type (1981-1986)
2 = Semi-Hondamatic
3 = 3 Speed Automatic
4 = 4 Speed Manual
5 = 5 Speed Manual
6 = 6 Speed Manual (5 Speed Manual w/ Super Low Gear)
7 = 4 Speed Automatic

4th through 6th Characters: Car Line & Engine - Chassis Code (1987+)
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1928390

7th Character: Body Type (1981-1986)
2 = 2-door Coupe
3 = 3-door Hatchback
4 = 4-door Sedan
5 = 5-door Wagon

7th Character: Body Type & Transmission (1987-2009)
1 = 2 Door Convertible, Manual
1 = 2 Door Coupe, Manual
2 = 2 Door Coupe, Automatic or CVT
3 = 3 Door Hatchback, Manual
4 = 3 Door Hatchback, Automatic or CVT
5 = 4 Door Sedan, Manual
6 = 4 Door Sedan, Automatic or CVT
6 = 4 Door Truck, Automatic or CVT
7 = 5 Door Wagon, Manual
7 = 5 Door SUV, Manual
8 = 5 Door Wagon, Automatic or CVT
8 = 5 Door Minivan, Automatic or CVT
8 = 5 Door SUV, Automatic or CVT

7th Character: Body Type & Transmission (2010+)
A = 2 Door Convertible, Manual
A = 2 Door Coupe, Manual
B = 2 Door Coupe, Automatic or CVT
C = 3 Door Hatchback, Manual
D = 3 Door Hatchback, Automatic or CVT
E = 4 Door Sedan, Manual
F = 4 Door Sedan, Automatic or CVT
F = 4 Door Truck, Automatic or CVT
G = 5 Door Wagon, Manual
G = 5 Door SUV, Manual
H = 5 Door Wagon, Automatic or CVT
H = 5 Door Minivan, Automatic or CVT
H = 5 Door SUV, Automatic or CVT

8th Character: Grade - Trim Level

9th Character: Check Digit


The 10th through 17th characters are used as the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). This is used by the manufacturer to identify the individual vehicle in question. This may include information on options installed or engine and transmission choices, but often is a simple sequential number.


10th Character: Model Year
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
5 = 2005
6 = 2006
7 = 2007
8 = 2008
9 = 2009
A = 2010
(I, O, Q, U, Z, and 0 are not used)

11th Character: Assembly Plant
A = Marysville, Ohio, USA
B = Lincoln, Alabama, USA
B = Aalst, Belgium
C = Alliston, Ontario, Canada
C = Saitama or Sayama, Japan
D = Guadalajara, Mexico
E = Greensburg, Indiana, USA
E = Montesa, Spain
F = Atessa, Italy
F = Ping Tung Factory, Taiwan
H = Alliston, Ontario, Canada
J = Karawang Factory, Indonesia
K = Kumamoto, Japan
L = East Liberty, Ohio, USA
M = Hamamatsu, Japan
P = Ayutthaya Factory, Thailand
R = Manaus, Brazil
S = Suzuka, Japan
T = Tochigi, Japan
U = Swindon, England
X = El Salto, Mexico
Z = Sao Paulo, Brazil
1 = Manaus, Brazil
2 = Guangzhou Factory, China
3 = Huangpu Guangzhou Factory, China
4 = Timmonsville, South Carolina, USA

The 12th through 17th characters represent the Production Sequence Number. It starts at 000001 and goes up with each vehicle produced.

12th Character: Market Specification Number
While still part of the Production Sequence Number, this digit can vary based on market. For example, the Production Sequence Number for CDM Preludes from 1997-2001 starts with an 8.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1980+)
 

I'm thinking tech/misc since it is universal. An FAQ link is a good idea.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1980+)
 

Updated.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

WOW. The information supplied is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Great post. :thumbup:

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Updated.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Updated. It now includes 1973-1980 Chassis Number and changes for 2010+.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

This is a GREAT resource, thanks! I am a Warranty admin at my dealership and am trying to get my cashiers to understand the VIN breakdown. I think they will be more interested in filing if they know what it all means.

Does anyone happen to know of the plant code G? I've heard that it may be in Mexico, but I'd like to know for sure. And I'd also like to clarify that plant code U is actually Swindon, England. I thought it was in Japan somewhere. I could be wrong, however. I was happy to find that you have the new Greensburg plant listed here, as E. I've been trying to figure that one for awhile.

Thanks!

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Im guessing this doesn't apply to acuras.. ?

Or at least doesn't line up with my 2nd gen. TL (UA5)

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Never heard of G. None of my info is incorrect.

Give me your info and we'll have a look.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

why I can't visit the link website?

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Yeah i cant visit the link website either. Im buying a 1998 crv and the vin looks very odd to me. ThLrd1745wc085955

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

The only "link website" I see is a link for chassis codes on Honda-Tech. It could have even been my thread, which was removed long ago.

There is a VIN decoder here (and on many other sites):


https://honda-tech.com/vindecoder.ph...rd1745wc085955

Where are you getting that VIN from? An online ad, paperwork from the dealer, did you read it from the actual car?

I ask because it's not a USDM VIN at the very least.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

The owner sent it to me as he read it off of the windshield vin. He sent it twice and said hes 100% thats it. Im very confused about it too.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

https://i44.tinypic.com/2cymat2.jpg
Nevermind, the owner sent me this and he made a mistake that the first letter is a j not a t. Makes more since now lmao.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Hi guys - I'm wondering if anyone can help me working out my VIN number. I've tried through the explanation previously posted but there are some inconsistencies with it.

My VIN is JHMBA81400C300375 - The 10th digit is a 0, which can't be a year.

Cheers fellas.

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Hi,

You can try to check it here

regards,

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Freaking awesome, thanks for this!

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

I thought I came across a similar thread somewhere else a long time ago. And it actually showed how to tell the line and shift. Every since I got my 6-6-6 I haven't been able to find out if I actually made this car or not. It's driving me CrAzY! Lol..

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

wow very nice info!!! :o

I also found this site which can do some extra VIN decoding up to ~2011:
48parts.com VIN decoder

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

missed one assembly plant in Nelson, New Zealand, in the 1990s
Code: N

From my 1993 Accord EX 2.2 Manual Sedan

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...ad417f6744.jpg

there is also a few other mentions of the plant, here is one such link: Building a car community | Stuff.co.nz

Re: Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
 

Hey man I just bought a teggy a couple days ago and I need some help about my engine, they guy I naught it from said its a d16 3 stage vtec I just want to know what it exactly is and what car it's from