Decode Your VIN
Enter your vehicle's VIN code to discover all technical specifications. The VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters.
Acura ILX VIN Decoder
Decode any Acura ILX VIN free in under three seconds. Type the 17-character vehicle identification number into the decoder above and pull the model year, engine, trim, transmission, plant of origin, and open NHTSA recalls. No account, no credit card, no email gate.
This page is the dedicated Acura ILX hub. Below you’ll find the real engine and trim codes the ILX carries in its own VIN, the two plants that have ever built it, a position-by-position guide, and where to physically find the VIN on the car.
About the Acura ILX
The Acura ILX launched for the 2013 model year as a compact luxury sedan built on the 9th-generation Honda Civic platform, positioned below the midsize TL (later TLX) as the brand’s entry point. It ran for exactly one generation across ten model years, with a significant mid-cycle refresh for 2016 that changed the engine lineup, the transmission, and, as the VIN data below shows, the assembly plant. Acura discontinued the ILX after the 2022 model year with no direct successor; the revived Integra nameplate took over as the brand’s entry-level model for 2023.
The ILX’s own VIN doesn’t spell out a generation letter the way some nameplates do, but the WMI (positions 1 to 3) and the powertrain code inside the VDS (positions 4 to 8) split cleanly into a pre-refresh and post-refresh era:
| Era | Model years | Engine(s) | Transmission | Built at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-refresh | 2013-2015 | 2.0L R20A5 I4 (150 hp); 2.4L K24Z7 I4 (201-205 hp); 1.5L LEA2 I4 hybrid (111 hp, paired with an electric motor) | CVT (2.0L, hybrid); 6-speed manual (2.4L) | Greensburg, Indiana |
| Refreshed | 2016-2022 | 2.4L K24V7 I4 (201 hp) | 8-speed dual-clutch (DCT) | Marysville, Ohio |
That plant change is the single most useful fact this decoder can confirm, and it isn’t something we’re guessing at: every 2013-2015 ILX VIN we ran through NHTSA’s vPIC database decoded to Greensburg, Indiana, and every 2016-2022 VIN decoded to Marysville, Ohio. Acura moved ILX production between generations, which is easy to miss because most write-ups treat the ILX as a single unbroken build run.
Acura ILX WMI codes (positions 1 to 3)
The first three characters of a VIN form the World Manufacturer Identifier, assigned by SAE on behalf of ISO. We decoded real ILX VINs spanning all ten model years, and the WMI splits cleanly along the same pre-refresh/refresh line as the plant and engine:
| WMI | Country | Manufacturer | Model years confirmed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V | USA | American Honda Motor Co. (Acura), Greensburg, Indiana | 2013-2015 |
| 19U | USA | American Honda Motor Co. (Acura), Marysville, Ohio | 2016-2022 |
If a VIN presented as an ILX starts with anything other than 19V (pre-2016) or 19U (2016 and later), decode it with the tool at the top of this page before trusting the listing. A mismatch between the model year and the expected WMI era is one of the fastest ways to catch a data-entry error or a mismatched title.
How to read an Acura ILX VIN: position by position
Every ILX VIN uses the 17-character ISO 3779 standard, split into a World Manufacturer Identifier, a Vehicle Descriptor Section, a check digit, and a Vehicle Identifier Section.
Positions 1 to 3: World Manufacturer Identifier
See the WMI table above. Because the ILX was built at only one plant per era, this block by itself already tells you whether you’re looking at a pre-refresh or refreshed car, before you even read the model year character.
Positions 4 to 8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
This is where the engine and body data live. Across every VIN we decoded, position 6 of the VDS (the 6th character overall) tracked the powertrain directly:
| VDS pattern (positions 4-7) | Engine | Model years | Confirmed via |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE1F | 2.0L R20A5 I4, CVT | 2013-2015 | Real VINs decoded to trim “20” / “20 Premium” / “20 Tech” |
| DE2E | 2.4L K24Z7 I4, 6-speed manual | 2013-2015 | Real VIN decoded to trim “24 Premium” |
| DE3F | 1.5L LEA2 I4 hybrid, CVT | 2013-2015 | Real VINs decoded to trim “Hybrid” / “Hybrid Tech” |
| DE2F | 2.4L K24V7 I4, 8-speed DCT | 2016-2022 | Real VINs across all six post-refresh model years |
Position 8 shifts with equipment level but doesn’t map to a single, consistently published trim on its own; NHTSA’s own decoder frequently returns a slash-separated pair like “Premium Package/Technology Plus Package” for the same position-8 character, because the VIN alone can’t always distinguish those two trims. We’re not going to invent a clean position-8 table where one doesn’t exist. The decoder above reconstructs the closest trim match from the full VDS plus build data, not from position 8 in isolation.
Position 9: Check digit
The check digit catches typos. It’s calculated from the other 16 characters using a fixed weighting table and modulo-11 math. Every VIN used to research this page passed NHTSA’s check-digit validation; mistype a single character anywhere in an ILX VIN and the math stops matching, which is why any compliant decoder, state DMV, or the NHTSA recall lookup will reject it.
Position 10: Model year
The 10th character maps to model year on the standard 30-year cycle every VIN-compliant vehicle uses. Because the ILX ran from 2013 to 2022, here’s the complete range that applies to the model, with no years skipped:
| Char | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
| D | 2013 |
| E | 2014 |
| F | 2015 |
| G | 2016 |
| H | 2017 |
| J | 2018 |
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
The letters I, O, and Q are always skipped because they resemble 1 and 0. We confirmed D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, and N directly against real ILX VINs decoding to 2013 through 2022 respectively, so every single model year the ILX was sold is verified here, not extrapolated from a generic table. (C, 2012, is included because the 30-year cycle technically starts there, but no ILX was ever built in the 2012 calendar model year; the nameplate’s first VINs are all D for 2013.)
Position 11: Assembly plant
A single character identifies the specific factory, and it lines up exactly with the WMI split above:
| Char | Plant | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| E | Greensburg, Indiana | 2013-2015 |
| A | Marysville, Ohio | 2016-2022 |
Every VIN we decoded confirms this split with no exceptions across ten model years.
Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
The final six characters are the production sequence stamped on your specific ILX as it left the line. Combined with the previous 11 characters, this makes every ILX VIN globally unique; two cars with the same model year, engine, and trim still differ here. One quirk worth knowing: hybrid ILX VINs from 2013-2014 that we decoded carried serial numbers starting around 300000 (for example, 300003 and 300205), noticeably higher than the sub-20000 range typical of gas-engine cars from the same build years. That’s consistent with hybrids running on a separate serial block at the Greensburg plant, though NHTSA’s data doesn’t document a formal cutoff, so treat it as an observation, not a rule.
ILX trim levels and how they appear in the VIN
An ILX VIN doesn’t spell out the trim name directly; the decoder reconstructs it from the VDS plus the equipment package on file. Trim lineups by era:
- 2013-2015 (2.0L): Base, Premium, Technology
- 2013-2015 (2.4L manual): Premium only
- 2013-2015 (Hybrid): Base, Technology
- 2016-2017 (refreshed 2.4L): Base, Premium, Technology Plus
- 2018-2022 (2.4L): Base, Premium, Technology, and A-Spec (added for 2019), combinable as Premium/A-Spec and Technology/A-Spec packages
When you decode an ILX VIN with the tool above, the result also returns the transmission and factory options so you can match it against a window sticker or build sheet.
Where to find the VIN on an Acura ILX
- Lower-left corner of the windshield, visible from outside the car
- Driver’s side door jamb sticker
- Stamped on the engine bay firewall or shock tower
- Vehicle title, registration, insurance card
The windshield and door jamb are the fastest to check on a used-car lot. The firewall stamp is the one to check if you suspect a cloned or re-titled car; it’s physically tied to the vehicle and far harder to alter than an adhesive label.
Check Acura ILX recalls and safety information
NHTSA’s recall database lists several real campaigns against the ILX across its production run. A Takata driver-side airbag inflator recall (19V-182, alongside a related 19V-500) covered 2013-2016 ILX models over the same defective inflator issue that affected millions of vehicles industry-wide. A fuel tank assembly recall (19V-052) covered 2014-2019 ILX models whose fuel tank could develop stress cracks and leak. A driveshaft recall (19V-424) covered 2016-2019 ILX models with excessive grease that could migrate onto the CV joint boot and cause a leak. A brake master cylinder recall (25V-859) covered 2016-2020 ILX models where contaminated brake fluid could corrode internal seals and reduce braking performance over time. Most recently, a broad fuel pump recall (23V-858) expanded fuel pump replacement to 2013-2023 Honda and Acura vehicles, covering every ILX model year sold.
To check your specific ILX:
- Decode the VIN with the tool above to confirm the exact model year and engine
- Cross-reference the 17-character VIN with NHTSA’s recall database
- Contact your nearest Acura dealer for any open campaign repair
Recall repairs are free regardless of vehicle age, mileage, or ownership history.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode an Acura ILX VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN from the windshield, door jamb, or title into the decoder at the top of this page. Results return in seconds and include model year, engine, transmission, trim, plant of origin, and any open NHTSA recalls. No sign-up.
Where was the Acura ILX built?
At two different plants depending on model year. Every 2013-2015 ILX VIN we decoded traces to Greensburg, Indiana. Every 2016-2022 VIN traces to Marysville, Ohio, the same complex that has long built the Acura TLX. The plant switch lines up exactly with the ILX’s 2016 mid-cycle refresh and the WMI change from 19V to 19U.
Did the Acura ILX come as a hybrid?
Yes, but only briefly. A 1.5L hybrid variant (VDS code DE3, engine code LEA2, 111 hp) was offered for the 2013 and 2014 model years alongside the standard 2.0L gas engine, then dropped. It doesn’t appear in any ILX VIN from 2015 onward.
What replaced the Acura ILX?
Nothing directly; Acura discontinued the ILX after the 2022 model year without naming a successor model. In practice, the revived Acura Integra, which launched for 2023, took over the ILX’s position as the brand’s entry-level model, though Acura has been careful to frame the Integra as its own nameplate rather than an ILX replacement.
How do I tell which ILX engine I have from the VIN?
Look at positions 4 to 7. DE1F means the 2.0L CVT (2013-2015 base). DE2E means the 2.4L 6-speed manual (2013-2015 Premium only). DE3F means the 1.5L hybrid (2013-2014 only). DE2F means the 2.4L 8-speed DCT used across every refreshed model from 2016 through 2022. Positions 1-3 (the WMI) confirm which era you’re in: 19V for 2013-2015, 19U for 2016-2022.
Is the Acura ILX VIN decoder really free?
Yes. VinDecoderPlus decodes every ILX VIN free of charge with no sign-up. The basic decode covers everything the factory stamped into the VIN. A full vehicle history report (accident records, odometer history, prior ownership, salvage status) is available as a paid upgrade if you need it.
Can an Acura ILX VIN be faked?
The 17 characters can be retyped on a counterfeit plate, but the check digit at position 9 catches most single-character changes through math, and the firewall stamp is physically tied to the original car. If the windshield and door-jamb VINs match but the firewall stamp doesn’t, treat the car as potentially cloned. The guide how to check if a car is stolen by VIN walks through the verification steps.
Decode any Acura ILX VIN free
Type your 17-character ILX VIN into the decoder at the top of this page for an instant breakdown. To go deeper into VIN structure or check other Acura models:
- Acura VIN decoder hub for the brand-wide guide
- How to read a VIN number for the general standard
- What every character in a VIN means for a position-by-position reference
- Classic car VIN decoder for pre-1981 vehicles
- VIN decoder vs. vehicle history report for what a decode covers vs. what it doesn’t
- How to check if a car is stolen by VIN for verifying a used ILX before you buy
