Free Acura TL VIN Decoder

How to decode an Acura TL VIN

Characters 1-3 of an Acura TL VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of origin. The Acura TL, a model of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, exemplifies this with two distinct WMIs due to its production in different countries and years. For models produced between 1996 and 1998, the WMI JH4 indicates they were manufactured in Tokyo, Japan, by Honda. From 1999 to 2014, the Acura TL vehicles bearing the WMI 19U highlight a shift to American Honda Motor Co., Inc., manufacturing in Torrance, California, USA. These distinct designations underscore the global footprint of the Acura TL’s production and distribution.

List of WMI Codes for an Acura TL

WMI: JH4

• Model Years Covered: 1996-1998
• Example VIN: JH4UA3651TC009469
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

WMI: 19U

• Model Years Covered: 1999-2014
• Example VIN: 19UUA5650XA031902
• Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Torrance
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of an Acura TL VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for an Acura TL:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in an Acura TL VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the Acura TL VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Acura TL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Acura TL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of an Acura TL

The final 6 characters in an Acura TL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can an Acura TL VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class and the number of doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Information like engine model, configuration, displacement, and horsepower are details that can be decoded, offering a deep dive into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The presence of advanced safety features, including specific airbag locations and other restraint systems, can typically be identified, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s safety standards.
• Fuel Type: A VIN may reveal the primary fuel type a vehicle uses, allowing potential buyers or owners to assess fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Details about the drive type and specifics about the transmission can be uncovered, which are crucial for understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics.
• Manufacturing Information: The location of the vehicle’s assembly can be specified, offering insight into the manufacturing origin which can influence perceptions of quality.

Sample VIN Decode Report for an Acura TL