Free 1997 Honda Accord VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Honda Accord VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Honda Accord VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character sequence of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which distinctly identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. In the case of the 1997 Honda Accord, the WMI can be either “1HG” for models built by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in the United States, specifically in Torrance, California, or “JHM” for those produced by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan. The WMI not only pinpoints the manufacturing origin but also provides specific details tied to the vehicle manufacturer, including the company name and the geographic details of the manufacturing site. This information is crucial for identifying the vehicle’s make, ensuring compatibility of parts, and providing insights into the manufacturing standards and regulations adhered to during production.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Honda Accord

WMI: 1HG

• Model Years Covered: 1983-2024
• Example VIN: 1HGCE6671VA021531
• Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Torrance
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

WMI: JHM

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1995, 1997, 1999-2009, 2013-2014, 2017
• Example VIN: JHMCD5630VC019054
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Honda Accord 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 a 1997 Honda Accord:

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 a 1997 Honda Accord 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 1997 Honda Accord VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Honda Accord VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Honda Accord Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Honda Accord

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Honda Accord’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Honda Accord VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as possibly being 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Plant Location: A VIN may provide insights into the manufacturing location, potentially pointing to places such as Marysville, Ohio, United States for certain models, allowing for a glimpse into the vehicle’s production origins.
• Vehicle Specifications: Decoding a VIN can reveal specific information about the make being ‘Accord’, including engine details such as a 2.163 Liter, In-Line configuration under model ‘C27A4’, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s technical specifications.
• Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, one might learn about a vehicle’s body class, for instance, possibly identifying it as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, indicating its potential size and capacity.
• Engine Details: The VIN can detail the engine’s characteristics, including displacement in CC (2163.092448), CI (132), or L (2.163), and the number of cylinders (4), which might shed light on the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type a vehicle operates on, such as Gasoline, can be ascertained directly from its VIN, potentially impacting fuel efficiency and environmental footprint.
• Safety Features: The VIN might hint at certain safety features based on the vehicle’s model and series, like ‘LX w/ABS/LX V-6 w/ABS’, indicating the potential presence of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for safer driving experiences.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Honda Accord