About Acura
Acura is Honda's luxury division, and CheckMyVIN decodes every US-market Acura: model line (TLX, ILX, RLX, Integra, RDX, MDX, ZDX, NSX), engine family, drive type (SH-AWD common), assembly plant (mostly Ohio — Marysville and East Liberty), model year, and any open NHTSA recall — all pulled live from the official NHTSA VPIC database.
Founded 1986 and headquartered in Torrance, California (American Honda), Acura vehicles register their VIN data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you enter an Acura VIN above, CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA VPIC database directly — pulling the same federally certified specs that the manufacturer reported when the vehicle was sold.
Acura uses several WMI codes (19U, 5J8, JH4) depending on plant and model line — see the full Acura VIN Decoder for the complete table and a per-position walkthrough.
Where to find your Acura VIN
- Driver-side dashboard, near windshieldStand outside the vehicle on the driver's side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. The 17-character VIN is engraved on a metal plate visible through the glass.
- Driver's door jamb stickerOpen the driver's door and look at the door jamb (the frame the door closes against). A federal certification label lists the VIN, tire pressures, and gross vehicle weight rating.
- Vehicle title, registration & insurance cardThe VIN appears on the title, current registration, and insurance documents. If buying used, cross-check the VIN on the car against every document — any mismatch is a major red flag.
What CheckMyVIN shows for Acura
Every Acura report includes the decoded specifications (engine, drive type, transmission, plant, body class), every open recall NHTSA has on file for the year/model/make combination, an AI-written plain-English summary, and the maintenance specs CheckMyVIN can confidently match by engine code. Tire sizes vary by trim and are always marked "Varies by trim — check door-jamb label" rather than guessed.
Common Acura issues to check before buying
Brand-specific known issues — useful as a pre-purchase inspection checklist. CheckMyVIN does not flag these per VIN; verify against service history.
J35 3.5L V6 connecting-rod bearing (recall) & fuel pump
2015-2020 TLX and 2016-2020 MDX with the 3.5L V6
The 3.5L V6 is subject to a connecting-rod-bearing recall (23V751000) where a manufacturing error can cause bearing wear and engine seizure, plus an earlier low-pressure fuel-pump recall (19V060000). On an affected TLX/MDX, confirm both campaigns were completed, listen for any deep knock or rough running, and check that oil changes are documented.
9-speed (ZF 9HP) automatic shift quality
2015-2020 TLX V6 and MDX with the 9-speed automatic
The ZF-based 9-speed automatic drew complaints for hesitation, harsh or delayed shifts, and occasional rough engagement, addressed over time with software updates. On a test drive feel for clunky low-speed shifts and confirm the latest transmission software was applied; the earlier TLX 8-speed DCT (2.4L) is a different unit with its own low-speed-creep quirks.
Torque-converter judder / VTM-4 & SH-AWD service
MDX / RDX / TLX with SH-AWD (various years)
Some Acura V6 automatics develop a torque-converter judder felt as a shudder under light throttle, often improved with a transmission-fluid service using the correct Acura ATF. On SH-AWD models, confirm the rear-differential / AWD fluid was serviced on schedule — neglected AWD service is a known long-term cost.
Infotainment (dual-screen / True Touchpad) usability & glitches
2019+ RDX / MDX with the True Touchpad Interface
The touchpad-based infotainment in newer RDX/MDX is divisive and can be glitchy (lag, Bluetooth/CarPlay drops); older dual-screen systems (2014-2018) can have slow response and occasional reboots. Exercise every function on a test drive and check for the latest software update from the dealer.
Acura buyer's notes
Acuras are generally reliable and well-built, but a few items matter on a used one. On 3.5L V6 TLX/MDX, confirm the connecting-rod-bearing (23V751000) and fuel-pump (19V060000) recalls are closed — these are the headline safety items. Feel for 9-speed automatic shift quality and torque-converter judder on a test drive, and confirm SH-AWD / transmission fluid services were done on schedule. Exercise the infotainment (especially the True Touchpad on 2019+ RDX/MDX). Acura's radio/navigation security code is not in the VIN — get it from your acura.com Owners account or a dealer, not from any "radio code by VIN" tool. An Acura dealer can pull the full service history from the VIN. Decode the VIN first to confirm the exact engine, drive type, and trim before negotiating.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura models does CheckMyVIN decode?
Every US-market Acura in NHTSA VPIC: the TLX, ILX, RLX, and current Integra sedans, the RDX and MDX SUVs, the ZDX EV, the NSX supercar, and older models (TL, TSX, RL, RSX, the classic Integra, Legend). Enter any 17-character Acura VIN and the report returns model, trim, engine, plant, year, and recalls.
Is Acura the same as Honda?
Acura is Honda's premium brand for North America (launched in 1986 as the first Japanese luxury marque sold in the US). Acura and Honda share engineering and many engines, but each is a separate Make in NHTSA VPIC — an Acura VIN returns Make = ACURA. Most Acuras are built in the US (Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio).
Where is the Acura VIN located?
Driver-side dash at the base of the windshield (visible from outside), the driver door-jamb certification sticker, and on the title / registration. The AcuraLink app also shows the VIN under vehicle details.
Can I get my Acura radio or navigation code from the VIN?
No — the anti-theft radio / navigation security code is NOT encoded in the VIN, and no VIN decoder can return it. Acura looks it up from the unit serial number or your ownership record. Get it free from your Owners account on the Acura owners site, or from an Acura dealer with proof of ownership and the VIN. CheckMyVIN will not fake a code lookup the data cannot support.
Does this work for older Acuras (TL, TSX, RL, classic Integra)?
Any 17-character Acura VIN (1986 onward) decodes through NHTSA VPIC — TL, TSX, RL, RSX, the original Integra and Legend included. Pre-1981 vehicles used shorter VINs, but Acura did not exist before 1986, so every Acura uses the modern 17-character format.
How do I check Acura recalls?
CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA recall API live on every report. Notable Acura campaigns include the 3.5L V6 fuel-pump recall and the connecting-rod-bearing engine recall. See the Acura recall page for worked examples, then run your VIN.
What does SH-AWD mean on an Acura?
Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is Acura's torque-vectoring AWD system, standard or optional on MDX, RDX, TLX, and the RLX/NSX hybrids. VPIC reports the drive type when Acura submits it; the SH-AWD marketing name itself is not a separate VPIC field, but the report shows AWD vs FWD.