A Acura RL VIN opens with JH4 (Japan). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often C (97%); a 2012 RL carries C in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 21 recall campaigns and 351 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Acura RL VIN
Here is a real 2010 Acura RL VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JH4KB2F69AC002581 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Where Acura RL VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 6 Acura RL VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JH4 | Japan | — | 6 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the Acura RL
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Acura RL has not yet outlived: its 26 years still map one-to-one. All 26 model years of the Acura RL, 1987 to 2012, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | Y | — |
| 1999 | X | — |
| 1998 | W | — |
| 1997 | V | — |
| 1996 | T | — |
| 1995 | S | — |
| 1994 | R | — |
| 1993 | P | — |
| 1992 | N | — |
| 1991 | M | — |
| 1990 | L | — |
| 1989 | K | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Acura RL VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 6 VINs the Acura RL uses 6 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | K (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | A (50%) · B (50%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 5 (67%) · 3 (17%) · 6 (17%) | 3 distinct |
What a decoded Acura RL VIN gets you
Behind a Acura RL VIN: 351 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 21 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 351 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 19 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 26 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Acura RL
A Acura RL VIN normally opens with JH4; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Acura RL VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 21 recall campaigns and 351 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Acura RL.
What year is my RL by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2012 RL carries C, a 2011 RL carries B, a 2010 RL carries A.
Where was my RL built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 351 dated Acura RL VINs it reads C 97%, A 1%.
What does position 4 mean on a Acura RL VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 6 Acura RL VINs here, K is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
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