How do I know if my Lexus is made in Japan or Canada?
The quickest way to tell is to check the VIN and the door-label information on your vehicle. Those sources will indicate where the car was assembled, whether it's Japan or Canada in most cases.
Where to look for origin information on your Lexus
Use these steps to locate and read the country of origin directly from the car’s labels and documentation.
- Inspect the driver’s door jamb or the door edge for the Vehicle Certification Label. This label often states the country or factory where the vehicle was assembled (for example, “Manufactured in Japan” or “Assembled in Canada”).
- Check the window sticker or Monroney label if the car is brand-new or if you have the original documentation. It may list the manufacturing origin or assembly location.
- Look for a separate label in the glove box or trunk that sometimes repeats the country of origin or the assembly plant information.
Reading these labels will usually provide a direct answer about whether your Lexus was assembled in Japan, Canada, or another country. If the label is missing or unclear, proceed to decode the VIN for a precise determination.
Decode the VIN to confirm the manufacturing location
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) encodes the country of origin and the assembly plant. Use this method to verify origin when labels aren’t clear or available.
- Locate the VIN on the dashboard near the windshield and on the driver’s door jamb. You can also find it on the vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- Identify the country from the first character of the VIN. In many cases, J indicates Japan, while 1, 4, or 5 indicate the United States, and 2 indicates Canada.
- Check the 11th character of the VIN, which is the plant code. This tells you the specific factory where the vehicle was assembled. The plant code mappings are published by manufacturers and are available through official VIN decoding resources.
- To decode accurately, use a trusted VIN decoder such as the NHTSA VIN decoder or Toyota/Lexus-specific decoding tools. Enter your VIN to see the country and plant details associated with your vehicle.
Using the VIN provides a reliable cross-check of origin. If the VIN shows a Japan plant code or a Canada plant code, it confirms where your Lexus was assembled. If you’re unsure after decoding, contact your Lexus dealer or Lexus customer service with the VIN for verification.
What to do if the origin remains unclear
If you still can’t determine the origin after checking the labels and decoding the VIN, consult the dealership or the official Lexus customer service channel. Provide your VIN, model, and year; they can confirm the precise assembly location and the plant associated with your vehicle.
Why this matters
Knowing the country of origin can matter for documentation, warranty considerations, and resale information. It can also reflect differences in production lines, sourcing, and regional specifications that some buyers care about.
Summary
To determine whether your Lexus was made in Japan or Canada, start with the door jamb/Vehicle Certification Label and the original window sticker for the assembly location. If those labels are unclear, decode the VIN: the first character suggests the country of origin, and the 11th character identifies the specific plant. Use a reputable VIN decoder or contact Lexus support for a definitive answer. In most cases, the origin will be clearly indicated on labels or accurately revealed by a VIN decode.
How do I find out if my car was built in Japan?
11th character: A number or letter here indicates the manufacturing plant where the vehicle was assembled. Each automaker has its own set of plant codes. Our Toyota example's VIN carries the letter J in the 11th position, and the NHTSA VIN decoder says that means it was built at the Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Japan.
Which Lexus models sold in Canada are made in Japan?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. – Cambridge, Ontario, Canada —assembles the Lexus RX, as well as the Lexus RX Hybrid. Toyota Motor Kyushu – Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan — assembles the Lexus UX. Toyota Tahara Plant – Tahara, Japan — assembles the Lexus LS, IS, GX, LX, and RC.
How do I tell where my Lexus was built?
You can tell where your Lexus was built by looking at the first character of the 17-digit VIN. A "J" indicates it was made in Japan, while a "2" means it was made in Canada, and "1," "4," or "5" indicate it was assembled in the United States. You can find the VIN on the dashboard, door jamb, or by using the Lexus Owners Site for a definitive answer.
Decoding the VIN
This video explains how to determine where your Lexus is made using the VIN: 58sE39M5SPEEDYouTube · Dec 3, 2023
- Locate the VIN: Find the 17-character VIN on your car. It's on a small plate visible through the driver's side of the windshield on the dashboard, or on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb.
- Check the first character: Look at the very first letter or number of the VIN.
- J: Japan
- 2: Canada
- 1, 4, or 5: United States
Other methods
- Use the Lexus Owners Site: You can log in with your VIN to view specific build information, including the plant of manufacture.
- Use a VIN decoder: Online VIN decoders, like the one offered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), can decode the entire VIN, providing details on the model, year, and assembly plant.
How to tell if a Lexus is built in Japan?
You can tell if a Lexus was built in Japan by checking the first character of the VIN. A "J" at the beginning of the VIN indicates the vehicle was manufactured in Japan. Alternatively, you can look at the sticker in the driver's side door jamb, which may explicitly state the manufacturing location.
Using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Find the VIN: The VIN is a 17-character serial number found on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on the driver's side door jamb.
- Check the first character: The first character of the VIN indicates the country of origin.
- Look for "J": If the VIN starts with the letter "J," the vehicle was assembled in Japan.
- Other letters: Other letters or numbers at the start of the VIN indicate manufacturing in other countries. For example, a "2" or "5" can mean the vehicle was assembled in North America (Canada or the U.S.).
Using the door jamb sticker
- Locate the sticker: Open the driver's side door and look for a sticker on the door jamb.
- Read the label: This sticker often contains a phrase like "Manufactured by Honda in Japan" or "Built in Japan by Honda," leaving no doubt about its assembly point.
