How to tell if a Honda is US or Japan built?
Determining whether a Honda vehicle was built in the United States or Japan can be done by examining the vehicle identification number (VIN) and other identifying marks. The VIN, along with the vehicle's origin, can provide clear indications of where the car was manufactured.
Identifying the Honda's Country of Origin
The first step in determining if a Honda is US or Japan built is to locate the VIN. The VIN is a unique 17-character code that identifies the vehicle and provides information about its origin, among other details. The VIN is typically found on the driver's side dashboard, the driver's side door jamb, or the engine block.
- The first character of the VIN indicates the country of origin. For Hondas, a "1" or "4" signifies the vehicle was built in the United States, while a "J" indicates it was built in Japan.
- Additionally, the plant code, which is the 11th character of the VIN, can provide further clues. For US-built Hondas, the plant code will be a letter, while Japan-built Hondas will have a number in this position.
Beyond the VIN, there are other indicators that can help identify the origin of a Honda:
- The vehicle's country of origin may be printed on the driver's side door jamb sticker or the certification label.
- The engine and transmission specifications can also provide clues, as US-built Hondas may have different engine and transmission options compared to Japan-built models.
- The vehicle's overall build quality and attention to detail can sometimes indicate its country of origin, as manufacturing processes and standards may differ between the US and Japan.
By closely examining the VIN, door jamb stickers, and other identifying features, you can determine with a high degree of accuracy whether a Honda was built in the United States or Japan.
