A Honda Clarity VIN opens with JHM (Japan). A 2021 Clarity carries M in position 10.
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How to read a Honda Clarity VIN
Here is a real 2020 Honda Clarity VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JHMZC5F17LC002650 — 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 Honda Clarity VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 9 Honda Clarity 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JHM | Japan | Passenger Car | 9 |
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 Honda Clarity
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Honda Clarity has not yet outlived: its 16 years still map one-to-one. All 16 model years of the Honda Clarity, 2004 to 2021, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Honda Clarity VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 9 VINs the Honda Clarity uses 4 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | Z (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | C (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 1 (56%) · 3 (44%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Honda Clarity VIN gets you
What a decoded VIN opens up:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 42 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 16 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Honda Clarity
A Honda Clarity VIN normally opens with JHM; 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 Honda Clarity VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows the recalls NHTSA holds on the Honda Clarity.
What year is my Clarity by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2021 Clarity carries M, a 2020 Clarity carries L, a 2019 Clarity carries K.
What does position 4 mean on a Honda Clarity VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 9 Honda Clarity VINs here, Z is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
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