How to decode a 2008 Honda Odyssey VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Honda Odyssey VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), consisting of the first three characters that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. These characters reveal key information such as the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the country where the vehicle was built. For example, Honda Odysseys produced for the 2008 model year have a WMI of “5FN”, indicating that they are multipurpose passenger vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in the United States, more precisely in Torrance, California. This identifier is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Honda Odyssey

WMI: 5FN

Model Years Covered: 2002-2024
Example VIN: 5FNRL38408B001489
Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Torrance
State or Province: California
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2008 Honda Odyssey 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 2008 Honda Odyssey:

Known VDS for a 2008 Honda Odyssey
RL384	RL389	RL388	RL387	RL382	RL386

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 2008 Honda Odyssey 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 2008 Honda Odyssey VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Honda Odyssey VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Honda Odyssey Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
B	Lincoln	Alabama	United States		5FNRL38408B001489

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Honda Odyssey

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Honda Odyssey’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2008 Honda Odyssey’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Honda Odyssey is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2008 Honda Odyssey. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plate.
The driver’s side door jamb on your Honda Odyssey is another common place to find the VIN. It’s typically on a sticker where the door latches when closed.
Examine the engine block of your Honda Odyssey. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
Look in the rear wheel well directly above the tire. In some Honda Odyssey models, the VIN is located in this area.
Check your Honda Odyssey’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (also known as the pink slip); the VIN will be printed there.
Inspect the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid, as the VIN is sometimes located there on Honda vehicles.

What info can a 2008 Honda Odyssey VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly being the year 2008, providing insights into the features and design era of the automobile.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle may boast a V-Shaped, 3.5-liter engine with 241 horsepower, showcasing the power and efficiency designed for its class.
Body Class and Doors: The vehicle is identified as a Minivan with 5 doors, which may offer insights into its capacity, designed to accommodate multiple passengers with ease.
Fuel Type: The model possibly runs on gasoline, highlighting the vehicle’s primary fuel source and efficiency considerations.
Safety and Entertainment Features: This minivan may be equipped with a Rear Entertainment System and a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), tailored for both driving safety and passenger entertainment.
Transmission Details: The vehicle may feature an automatic transmission with 5 speeds, combining ease of use with a level of control suited for various driving conditions.
Manufacturing Information: The vehicle may have been assembled in Lincoln, Alabama, United States, possibly providing clues about its production quality and specifications tailored for the Canadian market.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Honda Odyssey

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Minivan
Cooling Type	Water
Destination Market	Canada
Displacement (CC)	3471
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	5
Engine Brake (hp) From	241
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Honda
Engine Model	J35A7
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Entertainment System	Rear Entertainment System
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Odyssey
Model Year	2008
Plant City	Lincoln
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Alabama
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Transmission Speeds	5
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	EX-L With RES
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	5FNRL387*8B
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5FNRL38708B000434