Acura VIN decoder for USA

Free Acura VIN Decoder to check car history and specifications for Acura USA

What is an Acura VIN?

Due to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiative, all vehicle manufacturers accepted a new VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) format in 1981 to help identify their cars. New regulations mandated that each vehicle manufacturer use a 17-character combination to encode detailed information about specific models.

Acura's VIN might seem like a random jumble of numbers and letters. However, it encodes not only car specifications but also information about ownership changes and accident history that you can unveil using a VIN decoder. This information could be especially useful for buyers aspiring to own an Acura – the luxury division of Honda Automobiles, established a few years after a new standardized VIN format was accepted.

In the early 1990s and 2000s, Acura gained a stronghold with impressive reliability records and one of the best price-to-luxury ratios in the segment. At one point, Acura even outsold established rivals, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but due to a lack of clear vision and investments, Acura now faces challenges in regaining its lost success.

Where to search for the VIN?

A vehicle’s VIN number is located in multiple places and can depend on the brand. However, there are specific common locations where the VIN is usually found in most vehicles.

Where to find VIN - location Acura USA

The easiest way to find Acura’s VIN number is to look at the vehicle's title and registration documents. However, there are a few additional places that you can also check:

  • Check the dashboard – you should be able to see the VIN through the driver’s side windscreen of your car.
  • Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door frame. On the frame, you should see another small metal plate or a sticker containing the vehicle's specs and the VIN number.
  • Open the glovebox and look for the service history book. If the car was bought from the dealership, it might have a book with maintenance information, a dealership stamp, and, of course, the VIN number.

What is Acura VIN decoder?

One of Acura's most significant advantages is its impressive reliability record. However, even if Acura's engineers have mastered the art of building the world's most reliable car, this achievement can be undermined by the previous owner's actions.

Infrequent engine oil changes and careless behavior can seriously impact the longevity of a used Acura. The second-hand market is filled with numerous examples that seem to be on their last legs, yet their sellers often paint a completely different picture. This is where using Acura's VIN decoder USA to perform a VIN lookup becomes invaluable, as it can help distinguish truth from falsehood.

Simultaneously, it allows you to see mileage records, potential theft history, ownership changes, and more.

How accurate is the information provided by the Acura VIN decoder?

Data provided in Acura’s history report is collected from law enforcement, insurance companies, state registries, and other reliable data providers. It means that every vehicle history report offers detailed and up-to-date information, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the vehicle's history.

How to decode a VIN number - Acura VIN breakdown

Each Acura VIN has four sections: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), Security Check Digit, and Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). Each part spills the details about the car, giving you a clear picture of the chosen specs.

VIN breakdown (Acura USA)

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The World Manufacturer Identifier in Acura's VIN has three characters, which have different meanings. The first character indicates the country where the vehicle was built. As Acura is the luxury division of Honda, these cars are made in four different plants worldwide.

The next digit in the Acura VIN shows the manufacturer. Given Acura's close ties with Honda, this digit specifies whether the car is exclusively made by Acura or by Honda, as with models like the Acura MDX.

Lastly, the third position in the WMI indicates the specific division within Acura responsible for manufacturing the vehicle. In the Acura VIN, this position can be 4, U, or N.

WMIMeaning
Position 1Country of origin
1US
5US
JJapan
2Canada
Position 2Manufacturer information
9Acura
HHonda

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

The second segment of the VIN number provides information about the characteristics of the Acura vehicle, including the model, engine, and body type. The following table will explain how to identify the Acura model.

4th, 5th & 6th characterMeaning
CC2Vigor 2.5-liter 
DA9Integra 3-door 1.8-liter
DB1Integra 4-door 1.8-liter
DB2Integra GS-R 3-door 1.7-liter 
KA3Legend 2-door 2.7-liter 
KA4Legend 4-door 2.7-liter
CL9TSX 4-door 2.4-liter 
DC5RSX 3-door 2.0-liter 
DE3ILX Hybrid 1.5-liter
NA1NSX 3.0-liter
TB4RDX 3.5-liter 
YB1ZDX  3.7-liter
YE1MDX 3.5-liter 

The 7th digit in the Acura VIN encodes the body style and the transmission that is paired with that specific body type.

7th characterTrim
B2 Door Coupe, Automatic
E4-Door Sedan, Manual
F4-Door Sedan, Automatic
G5-Door Hatchback, Manual
H5-Door Hatchback or Wagon, Automatic
12 Door Coupe, Manual
22 Door Coupe, Automatic
33-Door Hatchback, Manual

The 8th character in the Acura VIN represents the equipment level of the vehicle. Depending on the manufacturing year, the same number or letter may carry different meanings. Look at the example below:

8th characterEquipment levels
0NSX with dual airbags, side airbags, driver-side knee airbagRSX Type S with dual airbags & side airbagsMDX A-Spec with dual airbags, side airbags, driver-side knee airbag
1Integra Type R with dual airbags
2TL with Dual Airbags, Side Airbags & Side Curtain AirbagsTL with automatic transmission
3RLX BaseRL with XM Radio or Navigation
4ILX Special EditionTLX V6 with Technology Package
53.5 RL with XM RadioTL Type S with Dual Airbags
6RL with Technology PackageTSX with Dual Airbags, Side Airbags & Side Curtain Airbags
73.2 TL with NavigationMDX with Sport Package
8Integra GS-R with Dual AirbagsRSX with Dual Airbags & Side Airbags
9RLX Sport Hybrid with Advance & Entertainment PackageMDX Touring Package with Navigation & Rear Entertainment System

Security Check Digit

The 9th character of the VIN represents the Security Check Digit, functioning like a unique fingerprint for the identification number. This single-digit number also serves as a safety feature designed to detect and prevent potential errors in the VIN.

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

The VIN's final segment (10th-17th characters) holds such details as the model year, assembly plant, and a unique serial number.

CodeYearCodeYearCodeYearCodeYearCodeYearCodeYear
A1980L1990Y2000A2010L2020Y2030
B1981M199112001B2011M202112031
C1982N199222002C2012N202222032
D1983P199332003D2013P202332033
E1984R199442004E2014R202442034
F1985S199552005F2015S202552035
G1986T199662006G2016T202662036
H1987V199772007H2017V202772037
J1988W199882008J2018W202882038
K1989X199992009K2019X202992039

The 11th character in the overall VIN sequence reveals the vehicle's assembly plant. Depending on the model and its manufacturing year, the car could have been produced in Japan, the US, or Canada factories.

CodeAssembly plant
AMarysville, Ohio, US
CSayama, Japan
LEast Liberty, Ohio Factory, US
HOntario, Canada
SSuzuka, Japan
TTochigi, Japan

The last 6 characters in a VIN are always digits that form a sequential production number.

Is an Acura VIN decoder available for a free VIN check in the USA?

You can use the Acura VIN decoder in USA for free Acura VIN number check to confirm such details as the vehicle’s model or body type. However, for a detailed understanding of the car’s history, it’s recommended to get a full vehicle history report.

By opting for the complete report, you’ll gain valuable insights into the vehicle's mileage log, accident history, and other valuable data, sourced from reliable sources, including government registries and insurance companies.

Start your free VIN lookup to get a basic overview of your vehicle’s details. For a more comprehensive report, consider purchasing the full vehicle history

List of Acura models in the USA

  • CL
  • CSX
  • EL
  • ILX
  • INTEGRA
  • LEGEND
  • MDX
  • NSX
  • RDX
  • RL
  • RSX
  • SLX
  • TL
  • TSX
  • VIGOR
  • ZDX

FAQ

Can I use an Acura VIN decoder to find out the car's manufacturing date and location?

Yes. The 10th and 11th characters of the VIN encode information about the car’s manufacturing date and location.

Can the VIN decoder tell me about the car's previous accidents or damage history?

The free version of the VIN decoder cannot provide this information. To gain insight into the previous accident and damage history, you will have to purchase a vehicle history report.

Can I use the VIN decoder to determine the model, engine type, and other specification details of the Acura vehicle?

Yes. Using an Acura VIN decoder lets you identify the specific model, engine type, and other specifications.

Can a VIN decoder tell me if the Acura vehicle has ever been stolen or salvaged?

Yes, the Acura VIN decoder can inform you whether the car has ever been stolen or salvaged.