How to decode a 2016 Honda Pilot VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Honda Pilot VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, providing essential information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location and type. For instance, the WMI for the 2016 Honda Pilot is “5FN,” indicating that American Honda Motor Co., Inc., based in Torrance, California, USA, is the manufacturer. This code signifies that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), designed and manufactured between the years 2004 to 2024. These codes are the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as a crucial tool in identifying and tracking vehicles globally. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI can reveal significant details about its origins and specifications, ensuring accurate identification and documentation.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Honda Pilot

WMI: 5FN

Model Years Covered: 2004-2024
Example VIN: 5FNYF6H90GB001099
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 2016 Honda Pilot 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 2016 Honda Pilot:

Known VDS for a 2016 Honda Pilot
YF6H9	YF6H5	YF5H8	YF5H1	YF6H6	YF6H4	YF6H2	YF5H9	YF6H8	YF5H7
YF6H1	YF5H5	YF5H4	YF5H3	YF6H0	YF6H3	YF5H6	YF6H7

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 2016 Honda Pilot 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 2016 Honda Pilot VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 Honda Pilot VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Honda Pilot Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
B	Lincoln	Alabama	United States		5FNYF6H90GB001099
C	Sayama	Saitama	Japan		5FNYF6H54GC132673

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Honda Pilot

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Honda Pilot’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Honda Pilot’s VIN below:

How to find a 2016 Honda Pilot’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 Honda Pilot is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2016 Honda Pilot. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side, where you might find the VIN stamped on a label or sticker.
Check the front of the engine block; the VIN might be stamped on the engine itself in your Honda Pilot.
Look inside the rear compartment of your Honda Pilot, sometimes the VIN is on the post where the door latches or on the door itself.
Search for the Vehicle Certification Label; the VIN may be found on a sticker inside the glove box.
Inspect the vehicle’s insurance or title/registration documents; they will always list the VIN for your 2016 Honda Pilot.

What info can a 2016 Honda Pilot VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 2016, offering insights into the age and potential technology level of the vehicle.
Body Class and Vehicle Type: It discloses the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), shedding light on the vehicle’s intended use and capabilities.
Engine Specifications: Specifics such as a 3.474-liter engine with a V-Shaped configuration and 280 horsepower can demonstrate the power and performance characteristics of the vehicle.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type is specified as Gasoline, which can be crucial for understanding fuel economy and potential environmental impact.
Safety Features: The presence of curtain airbags in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rows alongside front and side airbag locations in the 1st row may underscore the vehicle’s focus on safety across all passenger rows.
Drive Type and Transmission: It is specified as 4WD with an Automatic transmission and 6 speeds, detailing the vehicle’s drivetrain and potential handling capabilities.
Manufacturing Information: With details on the manufacturing plant located in Lincoln, Alabama, United States, it seems that one can infer the vehicle’s production standards and origin.

Don’t have your 2016 Honda Pilot’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Honda Pilot

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)	3474.057568
Displacement (CI)	212
Displacement (L)	3.474057568
Doors	5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Brake (hp) From	280
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	J35Y6
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	Pilot
Model Year	2016
Number of Seats	8
Other Restraint System Info	seat belts: front, mid and rear right/left/center positions
Plant City	Sayama
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Saitama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	EXL
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	5FNYF6H5*GC
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5FNYF6H54GC132673