How to decode a 1998 Honda CR-V VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Honda CR-V VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code designated to every vehicle manufacturer across the globe, serving as the first three characters in a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code not only identifies the manufacturer but also offers insights into the vehicle’s type and country of origin. For instance, a 1998 Honda CR-V would have a WMI that indicates it was manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., specifically in Japan. This information is crucial for various purposes, including registration, insurance, and in identifying vehicle specifications for parts and services. The WMI is a standardized tool used worldwide to ensure uniformity in identifying automotive products.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Honda CR-V

WMI: JHL

Model Years Covered: 1997-2012, 2019
Example VIN: JHLRD185XWC802468
Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Tokyo
State or Province: Musashi
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Honda CR-V 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 1998 Honda CR-V:

Known VDS for a 1998 Honda CR-V
RD185	RD174	RD176	RD284	RD184	RD186

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 1998 Honda CR-V 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 1998 Honda CR-V VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Honda CR-V VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Honda CR-V Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Sayama	Saitama	Japan		JHLRD185XWC802468
L	East Liberty	Ohio	United States		JHLRD2848WL003303

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Honda CR-V

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Honda CR-V’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Honda CR-V’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Honda CR-V’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Honda CR-V is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Honda CR-V. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door pillar (the door jamb area). The VIN can usually be found on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when it is closed.
Examine the engine block of your Honda CR-V, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Review your vehicle registration documents or the title, where the VIN of your Honda CR-V will be printed.
Look at the insurance card or policy for the Honda CR-V; insurance documents often list the VIN alongside other vehicle information.

What info can a 1998 Honda CR-V VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1998, providing insights into the vehicle’s age and market value.
Body Class and Doors: It can specify the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 5 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.
Engine Specifications: Details such as the engine model B20B4, an in-line configuration, displacement ranging from 1.966 liters or 120 cubic inches, and possessing four cylinders can underscore the vehicle’s mechanical capabilities.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, providing essential information for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Drive Type and Transmission: It features a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system coupled with an Automatic transmission that has 4 speeds, outlining the vehicle’s drivetrain characteristics.
Manufacturing Details: The plant’s location in Sayama, Saitama, Japan, is detailed, providing clarity on the vehicle’s point of origin and potentially the manufacturing standards applied.
Vehicle Type and Weight Class: Classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating from Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), indicating both its regulatory category and capacity for load.

Don’t have your 1998 Honda CR-V’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Honda CR-V

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	1966.447680
Displacement (CI)	120
Displacement (L)	1.966447680
Doors	5
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Engine Brake (hp) From	126.00
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	B20B4
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	CR-V
Model Year	1998
Plant City	East Liberty
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Transmission Speeds	4
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	LX
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JHLRD284*WL
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JHLRD2848WL003303