How can I tell where my Honda CR-V was made?

Check the VIN and the interior door sticker to determine where your Honda CR‑V was built. The 17‑character vehicle identification number encodes the country of origin, the assembly plant, and the model year, while the door jamb label often confirms the manufacturing location and date.

Find and read the VIN

The VIN is your primary map to origin and production. It’s a unique 17‑character code that Honda uses to identify manufacturing details for each vehicle.

Before diving into decoding, locate the VIN and note the key positions that reveal origin, year, and plant.

• Locate the VIN on the lower left corner of the windshield (visible from outside) and on the driver’s door jamb sticker.


• Record the entire 17‑character code without spaces or breaks.


• Pay attention to the first character (country/region), the 10th character (model year), and the 11th character (assembly plant).


• Use a trusted VIN decoder or Honda customer support to interpret the code accurately.

Using the VIN in combination with the door jamb label will give you a precise answer about where your CR‑V was built, including the country and the specific factory.

What the VIN tells you about origin and plant

Decoding the VIN can be technical, but the essentials are straightforward with the right approach. Here’s what to look for when you interpret the digits.

Before examining the digits, keep in mind the key facts about how the VIN conveys manufacturing details.

• The first character denotes the country or region where the vehicle was manufactured (for Honda, this includes codes for the US, Canada, Japan, China, and others, depending on market and production).


• The tenth character indicates the model year, using the standard year code that cycles every 30 years.


• The eleventh character identifies the assembly plant or factory where the CR‑V was built; this code maps to a specific plant.

Cross‑checking the VIN with the door jamb label and official Honda documentation will confirm the exact manufacturing location and year.

Using the door jamb label and other sources

Beyond the VIN, the driver’s door jamb or B‑pillar label often provides immediate clues about where and when the car was assembled.

Before listing the practical steps, here’s how to leverage the label for quick verification.

• Open the driver’s door and read the sticker on the door jamb for the manufacture date (month/year) and the plant or factory information, if shown.


• Look for a line that says where the vehicle was manufactured or assembled; some markets also include a “Made in” or country/plant code on this label.


• If the label lists only the VIN and date, use the VIN to identify the plant code and cross‑check with a VIN decoder for precise origin details.

Together, the VIN and the door jamb label provide a robust verification of your CR‑V’s origin and manufacturing path.

Practical tips and caveats

While the VIN is the authoritative source, production sometimes shifts between markets and plants due to model year changes, recalls, or regional manufacturing decisions. Always cross‑check multiple sources and, if needed, contact Honda directly for a definitive answer.

Summary

To determine exactly where your Honda CR‑V was made, start with the 17‑character VIN: the first character denotes country/region, the 10th digit denotes the model year, and the 11th digit identifies the assembly plant. Decode the VIN with a reputable tool, and verify with the door jamb label for additional confirmation. If any doubt remains, reach out to Honda’s customer service for a definitive answer.

How do I find out where my Honda was manufactured?

This is a two-step process: Step 1: Go to https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/ and enter the full VIN into NHTSA's VIN decoder, then click Decode VIN. Step 2: Refer to the field at the bottom of the page result, which expressly lists the build plant and country for the searched vehicle.

Where is the Honda CR-V made?

Honda CR-Vs are manufactured in several countries, including the United States (East Liberty, Ohio and Greensburg, Indiana), Canada (Ontario), and Japan, with production also taking place in other locations globally to serve specific markets, such as China, Thailand, and the Philippines. The specific manufacturing plant depends on the vehicle's final destination. 

• North America: The CR-V is assembled in the United States (East Liberty, Ohio; Greensburg, Indiana) and Canada (Ontario). 
• Asia: Production also occurs in Japan (Sayama), China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. 
• Europe: While Honda has plants in Europe, such as the one in the UK, the CR-V is primarily produced in North America and Asia. 
• Other regions: CR-Vs are built in various other countries, including India and Indonesia. 

Are any CR-V made in Japan?

While the Honda CR-V was introduced in Japan, most CR-Vs are now manufactured in global plants, including those in the United States (Ohio and Indiana) and Canada. Some specialized or imported models may be made in Japan, but the majority of CR-Vs sold in regions like North America are built in other countries.
 
This video discusses a Honda CR-V that was imported from Japan: 57sThe Drivers HubYouTube · Jun 10, 2025
CR-V production locations

• Japan: The first-generation CR-V was introduced in Japan in 1995 and it remains a production site for some models, says a Honda Global article. 
• United States: Many CR-Vs sold in North America are built in plants in East Liberty, Ohio, and Greensburg, Indiana. 
• Canada: Alliston, Ontario, is another production site for the CR-V. 
• Other locations: Honda also produces the CR-V in various other countries, including the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. 

You can watch this video to learn about where CR-Vs are made, including their parts sourcing: 57sThe Car Guy OnlineYouTube · Mar 24, 2025
How to tell where your CR-V was made

• Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 11th character of the VIN indicates the plant where the vehicle was assembled. 
• If the VIN starts with 'J', the vehicle was made in Japan.
• If the VIN starts with '1' or '4', it was made in the United States. 
• If the VIN starts with '2', it was made in Canada. 
• If the VIN starts with '3', it was made in Mexico. 

How to tell if a Honda is US or Japan built?

It requires minimal deciphering, but the vehicle identification number, or VIN, indicates the car's production location. The first character in the VIN is part of a standardized 3-digit world manufacturer identifier or WMI. Generally, the first number or letter of the VIN signifies the vehicle's country of manufacture.