NHTSA Database · Connected / Model Years 1981 — Present

Honda VIN Decoder.
Check every recall.

Enter any Honda VIN. Get the full factory build specification and every open NHTSA safety recall, free.

VIN Diagnostic Terminal

Vehicle Identification Number17 CHAR

00 / 17

Data Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recall Registry: Live
Coverage: All Honda Models
Cost: $0.00

Querying vehicle catalog…

Honda VIN Guide

Reading A Honda VIN

Honda's VIN follows the same 17-character ISO standard as every other manufacturer, but the first few characters split out by division and country in a way that's worth knowing before you buy.

World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1–3)

The first character marks the country of assembly, followed by Honda's own code. JHM marks a Japan-built Honda car, 1HG a US-built car from Marysville, Ohio, and 5FN or 5J6 a US-built SUV or truck from Lincoln, Alabama. Canada-built Hondas use 2HG, and Mexico-built use 3HG.

Code	Meaning
JHM / JHL	Japan-built Honda (car / MPV)
1HG	US-built Honda car (Marysville, Ohio)
5FN / 5J6 / 5FP	US-built Honda SUV/truck (Lincoln, Alabama)
2HG	Canada-built Honda (Alliston, Ontario)
3HG	Mexico-built Honda (El Salto, Jalisco)

Engine code (position 8)

Position 8 is the character most worth checking on a Honda VIN — it separates VTEC and i-VTEC engine variants across trims. The live decode above always resolves this correctly against the actual model year.

Model year and plant (positions 10–11)

Honda's major US plants include Marysville, Ohio; East Liberty, Ohio; and Lincoln, Alabama, alongside Alliston, Ontario and El Salto, Mexico. Position 11 resolves the exact plant for any VIN decoded above.

Coverage

Honda Models You Can Decode

Any Honda sold in the US since 1981 is covered, retail or fleet. Common models people check:

CivicAccordCR-VPilotOdysseyHR-VRidgelinePassport

Safety

What The Recall Check Catches

Honda's recall history spans a wide range of components over the decades. Rather than listing past campaigns here (which would go stale), the tool above queries NHTSA's live recall registry the moment you decode a VIN, so what you see is always current for that exact year, make and model.

Support

Honda VIN Questions

What does 1HG mean on a Honda VIN?

1HG identifies a US-built Honda passenger car assembled at the Marysville, Ohio plant. JHM marks a Japan-built Honda, and 5FN/5J6 mark US-built Honda SUVs and trucks from Lincoln, Alabama.

Is this the same as Honda's own VIN decoder?

No. This tool is independent and not affiliated with Honda Motor Co. It reads the same publicly standardized VIN format and pulls factory specifications from NHTSA's public vPIC database, which covers every manufacturer sold in the US.

Does this show Honda recalls?

Yes. After decoding, the tool automatically checks NHTSA's recall database for the vehicle's year, make and model and lists every open safety campaign, including the defect, risk and remedy.

Where do I find the VIN on a Honda?

On the dash at the base of the windshield (visible from outside, driver's side), on the driver-door jamb sticker, and on the title and registration.

Honda VIN Decoder.Check every recall.