Acura VIN Decoder

List of Acura Models

• CL
• ILX
• Integra
• INTEGRA TYPE S
• INTEGRA Type-S
• Legend
• MDX
• NSX
• NSX Type S
• RDX
• RL
• RLX
• RSX
• TL
• TLX
• TLX TYPE S
• TLX TYPE-S
• TSX
• Vigor
• ZDX

Acura VIN Number Lookup

The Vehicle Identification Number is unique to each vehicle, and it encodes information about the model including its equipment, trim level and location of final assembly. When you look up the VIN on our site, you can compare the results to the vehicle to identify changes made since the car rolled out of the factory. For example, the Integra Type R is one of the most frequently replicated cars on the market, due to its rarity and value. It’s relatively easy to install the correct engine in a standard Integra, but it won’t have all of the welding and chassis reinforcements of a genuine car. Not only are you getting a lesser vehicle, you’re getting something worth tens of thousands of dollars less than an original Type R. A VIN search tells you if the vehicle you’re looking at is authentic.

Where to Search for the VIN?

Since the VIN is used to identify the vehicle throughout its life, Acura puts it in several locations that aren’t likely to be damaged or removed for repairs. Here are the most common places you’ll find this code.

• Like most vehicles, Acuras have a VIN plate attached to the dashboard. You can see this plate by standing outside. Look at the bottom of the windshield near the driver’s door.
• To make it easier to track parts sold off by chop shops, Acura puts tamper proof stickers with the VIN printed on them on several major body components. Most models have this sticker in two places:
  • On the driver’s side door, next to the door latch
  • On the inner right side of the trunk lid

You may also find these stickers on the hood and other the other doors. Keep in mind that these stickers may not match the VIN on other components. This indicates these parts were replaced with salvaged items to repair the vehicle.

If you look under the hood, you can usually find the VIN in these locations:

• Near the top of the firewall
• On the engine block
• On the transmission

Remember that the VIN is always 17 characters long. Often, this code is printed next to the engine and transmission codes, which are shorter.

Comprehensive VIN Decoder Guide

The VIN is made of three main sections: the manufacturer identifier, the vehicle identifier and the serial number. Here’s what you can learn when you decode each character in the VIN.

In the first position, you have the country where the car was built:

The second position is the manufacturer. You may see one of two characters in this position:

The third position is the division within Acura that manufactured the vehicle. This can be “4”, “U“ or “N”. These divisions aren’t always geographically bound, so this doesn’t tell you much about where the car was built.

The fourth and fifth positions are used for the model, while the sixth is used for the engine and drivetrain. For example, if you have a TLX, it could have one of three codes:

On some models, Acura uses the sixth digit to indicate new versions of that model. For example, the “YD1” and “YD2” are used on the first generation MDX, while “YD3” and “YD4” are used on the second generation MDX.

The seventh position is the body style and transmission. Acura uses these codes for their vehicles:

Position 8 is the standard safety equipment. A “B” or “H” is used on cars that only have front airbags, while a car with an “E” or “F” in this position also has side air bags.

Position 9 authenticates the VIN. This check digit is generated by a mathematical formula using other characters in the VIN number.

Position 10 is the model year. It uses all letters excluding “O”, “I” and “Z”, as well as numbers 0-9. For 2022, this character is “N”.

Position 11 is the manufacturing plant. Here are the most common plant codes you’ll find on North American Acuras:

The rest of the VIN is the serial number. Serial numbers are frequently reused, but no two vehicles will have identical VINs.