How to decode a 2003 Acura RL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Acura RL VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences designated to every vehicle manufacturer globally. The first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) form the WMI, pinpointing the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacturing. For the 2003 Acura RL, its WMI “JH4” indicates that it is a passenger car manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Japan. Specifically, it signifies that the vehicle was assembled in Tokyo, within the Musashi province. This coding system allows for the precise identification of vehicles, including their origin and manufacturing details.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Acura RL

WMI: JH4

Model Years Covered: 1996-2012
Example VIN: JH4KA96623C001853
Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Tokyo
State or Province: Musashi
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Acura RL 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 2003 Acura RL:

Known VDS for a 2003 Acura RL
KA966	KA965

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 2003 Acura RL 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 2003 Acura RL VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Acura RL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Acura RL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Sayama	Saitama	Japan		JH4KA96623C001853

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Acura RL

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Acura RL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2003 Acura RL’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Acura RL is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Acura RL. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate.
Look in the driver’s side door jamb of your 2003 Acura RL. There should be a label or sticker indicating the VIN where the door latches when closed.
Examine the engine bay. The VIN may also be found on a plate or sticker near the front of the engine block in your Acura RL.
Inspect the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN is placed above the tire in the wheel well of the Acura RL.
Check your vehicle’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN for your Acura RL will be listed there.
Review the Acura RL’s title or registration documents, which should include the VIN.

What info can a 2003 Acura RL VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: It can detail the engine’s configurations, pinpointing the vehicle’s power capacity and design.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which is crucial for understanding operating costs and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Information on safety features like air bag locations can be decoded, highlighting the vehicle’s safety provisions.
Transmission Details: It can specify the transmission style and speeds, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance and driving experience.
Manufacturing Details: Details such as the manufacturing plant location, including city, country, and state, are encoded, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN identifies the vehicle’s body class and type, categorizing the vehicle’s design and intended use.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Acura RL

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	3474.057568
Displacement (CI)	212
Displacement (L)	3.474057568
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	225.00
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	C35A1
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	RL
Model Year	2003
Plant City	Sayama
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Saitama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Transmission Speeds	4
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	3.5
Trim2	With NAVI
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JH4KA966*3C
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JH4KA96623C001853