How to decode a 2012 Acura MDX VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Acura MDX VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 2012 Acura MDX, the WMI 2HN indicates it was manufactured by Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc., in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. The vehicle falls under the category of Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatile design intended for various uses. This detail, part of the VIN, provides insight into the vehicle’s origin, the manufacturer’s identity, and the type of vehicle, ensuring a level of standardization in vehicle identification worldwide. The WMI is critical for various stakeholders, including manufacturers, regulators, and consumers, to verify, track, and register vehicles accurately.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Acura MDX

WMI: 2HN

Model Years Covered: 2001-2013
Example VIN: 2HNYD2H60CH000117
Manufacturer Name: Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Alliston
State or Province: Ontario
Country: Canada

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Acura MDX 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 2012 Acura MDX:

Known VDS for a 2012 Acura MDX
YD2H6	YD2H4	YD2H8	YD2H2	YD2H3

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 2012 Acura MDX 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 2012 Acura MDX VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Acura MDX VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Acura MDX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H	Alliston	Ontario	Canada		2HNYD2H60CH000117

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Acura MDX

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Acura MDX’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2012 Acura MDX’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Acura MDX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Acura MDX. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plate affixed to the dashboard.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Acura MDX 2012. The VIN might be located on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Look at the frame of the car underneath the hood. The VIN may be stamped onto the frame of your Acura MDX, usually around the engine bay area.
Examine the vehicle registration documents or the Acura MDX’s insurance card/policy. The VIN is always printed on all official documents pertaining to the vehicle.
Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk area or cargo compartment of your Acura MDX. Sometimes, the VIN can be found in this location, especially in an SUV.
Explore the area around the radiator. There might be a VIN plate located near the front of the engine compartment, which is visible when you open the hood of the Acura MDX.

What info can a 2012 Acura MDX VIN reveal?

Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may specify the vehicle type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 5 doors, providing insights into its intended use and passenger capacity.
Fuel Type: The VIN data suggests that this vehicle primarily operates on Gasoline, offering insights into its fuel preferences and potentially its efficiency considerations.
Safety Features: The presence of curtain airbags in multiple rows, front airbags for the 1st row, side airbags in the 1st row, and a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may signify comprehensive safety features, emphasizing the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
Transmission and Performance: The VIN data indicates an Automatic transmission style with 6 speeds, possibly suggesting a balance between driving ease and control over vehicle performance.
Manufacturing Details: Production insights such as the manufacturing plant location in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, may provide notable background information for enthusiasts interested in the vehicle’s production.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Acura MDX

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows
Displacement (CC)	3670.702336
Displacement (CI)	224
Displacement (L)	3.670702336
Doors	5
Engine Brake (hp) From	300
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	J37A1
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	MDX
Model Year	2012
Other Restraint System Info	seat belts: front, mid outer/center positions, rear outer/center positions
Plant City	Alliston
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Canada
Plant State	Ontario
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Tech Ent.
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Transmission Speeds	6
Transmission Style	Automatic
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	2HNYD2H4*CH
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	2HNYD2H40CH500454