Decode Your VIN
Enter your vehicle's VIN code to discover all technical specifications. The VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters.
Honda CR-V VIN Decoder
Decode any Honda CR-V VIN free in under three seconds. Type the 17-character vehicle identification number into the decoder above and pull the generation, model year, engine code, trim, transmission, assembly plant, and open NHTSA recalls. No account, no credit card, no email gate.
This page is the dedicated Honda CR-V hub. Below you’ll find the generation-by-generation chassis codes the CR-V actually carries in its VIN, the five plants that have built one for the US and Canadian market, the engine codes used across all six generations, a position-by-position guide, and the spots on the vehicle where the VIN is stamped.
About the Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V (Comfortable Runabout Vehicle) debuted in Japan in 1995 and reached US showrooms for the 1997 model year, arriving almost alongside the Toyota RAV4 as one of the two vehicles that created the modern compact crossover segment. It has been Honda’s best-selling model in the US for most of the last two decades and has gone through six generations:
| Generation | Years | Chassis code | Body | Built at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (RD1-RD3) | 1995 (Japan) / 1997-2001 (US) | RD1, RD2, RD3 | Unibody 5-door, Civic-derived platform | Sayama, Japan; Swindon, UK |
| 2nd (RD4-RD9) | 2001/2002-2006 | RD4, RD5, RD6, RD7, RD8, RD9 | Unibody 5-door | Sayama, Japan; Swindon, UK; Wuhan, China (Dongfeng Honda) |
| 3rd (RE1-RE7) | 2006/2007-2011 | RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, RE5, RE7 | Unibody 5-door | Sayama, Japan; East Liberty, Ohio (from Sept. 2006); Swindon, UK; Wuhan, China |
| 4th (RM1/RM3/RM4) | 2011/2012-2016 | RM1, RM3, RM4 | Unibody 5-door | East Liberty, Ohio; Alliston, Ontario (from 2012); Sayama, Japan; Swindon, UK (through 2018); Wuhan, China |
| 5th (RW1-RW8/RT5-RT6) | 2016/2017-2022 | RW1-RW8 (gas), RT5-RT6 (hybrid) | Unibody 5-door | East Liberty, Ohio; Greensburg, Indiana (from Feb. 2017); Alliston, Ontario; Wuhan, China; Guangzhou, China |
| 6th (RS) | 2022-present | RS (RS1, RS4, RS6, and other RS variants by powertrain) | Unibody 5-door | Alliston, Ontario (global lead plant); East Liberty, Ohio; Greensburg, Indiana; Wuhan, China |
The chassis code shows up in the VIN at positions 4 to 6. A 2010 CR-V built in Ohio, for example, carries RE3 inside its VDS; a 2023 CR-V built in Indiana carries RS6. That single fact lets you tell at a glance which generation you’re looking at, even before you check the 10th-character year. We confirmed these chassis codes directly by decoding real, checksum-valid CR-V VINs from each generation through the federal NHTSA vPIC database rather than trusting a single secondary source.
Honda CR-V 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. These are the WMIs confirmed on genuine Honda CR-Vs, verified by decoding real VINs from dealer and auction listings against NHTSA’s vPIC database:
| WMI | Country | Plant | CR-V generations built here |
|---|---|---|---|
| JHL | Japan | Sayama, Saitama | RD1-RD3, RD4-RD9, RE1-RE7 (confirmed on 1998, 2005, and 2009 VINs) |
| 5J6 | USA | East Liberty, Ohio | RE1-RE7, RM1/RM3/RM4, RW1-RW8/RT5-RT6, RS (confirmed on 2010, 2014, 2020, and 2025 VINs) |
| 2HK | Canada | Alliston, Ontario | RM1/RM3/RM4, RW1-RW8 (confirmed on 2015 and 2020 VINs) |
| 7FA | USA | Greensburg, Indiana | RW1-RW8, RS (confirmed on 2017, 2018, and 2023 VINs) |
| SHS | United Kingdom | Swindon, Wiltshire | RD1-RD3 through RM1/RM3/RM4, ended 2018 (confirmed on a 2003 VIN) |
If your CR-V VIN starts with anything other than the codes above, treat it as suspect. A VIN beginning with WBA or JTD, for example, is not a Honda, regardless of what the title says. Decode the full VIN with the tool at the top of the page to confirm.
How to decode a Honda CR-V VIN, position by position
Every CR-V built since 1997 for the US market uses the 17-character ISO 3779 standard. The string breaks into three blocks, and each character carries specific meaning.
Positions 1 to 3: World Manufacturer Identifier
See the table above. The first character narrows down the country of assembly (J for Japan, 5 and 7 for the USA, 2 for Canada, S for the UK), the second identifies the manufacturer, and the third encodes vehicle type and division. Worth knowing: the country code identifies the factory, not the brand’s headquarters. A Canada-built CR-V is still a Honda, but its VIN starts with 2HK, not 5J6 or JHL.
Positions 4 to 8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
This is where the CR-V gets specific. Positions 4 to 6 carry the chassis code shown in the generation table above (RE3, RM4, RS6, and so on). Position 7 encodes body and restraint-system detail, and positions 7 to 8 together are what a full decode uses to identify the exact engine fitted to that specific CR-V.
Honda doesn’t use one clean, single-letter engine flag at position 8 the way some manufacturers do; the engine is resolved from a combination of VDS characters alongside the WMI and model year. Rather than guess at a character-by-character key we can’t verify, here are the real engine codes Honda has used across each CR-V generation, confirmed through NHTSA vPIC decodes of real VINs plus manufacturer documentation. Enter the full 17-digit VIN in the decoder above to get the exact code for your specific vehicle.
| Generation | Chassis | Engine code(s) | Displacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (RD1-RD3) | RD1/RD2/RD3 | B20B4, B20Z2 | 2.0L SOHC I4 | Only engine offered; B20Z2 replaced B20B4 partway through the run |
| 2nd (RD4-RD9) | RD4-RD9 | K24A1 (US), K20A4, N22A2 (diesel, non-US) | 2.4L / 2.0L / 2.2L diesel | US market used the 2.4L K24A1 exclusively |
| 3rd (RE1-RE7) | RE1-RE7 | K24Z1 (2007-09), K24Z6 (2010-11), R20A, i-CTDI diesel (non-US) | 2.4L / 2.0L / 2.2L diesel | K24Z6 added a VTEC-only intake for the mid-cycle refresh |
| 4th (RM1/RM3/RM4) | RM1/RM3/RM4 | K24Z7 (2012-14), K24W9 (2015-16), R20A7, N22B4 diesel (non-US) | 2.4L / 2.0L / 2.2L diesel | K24W9 introduced Earth Dreams direct injection for US models |
| 5th (RW1-RW8/RT5-RT6) | RW…/RT5-RT6 | L15BE (1.5L turbo, primary US), K24W (2.4L, early LX only), LFA1 (2.0L hybrid) | 1.5L turbo / 2.4L / 2.0L hybrid | RT chassis marks the hybrid; RW is gas-only |
| 6th (RS) | RS1/RS4/RS6/etc. | L15BE (1.5L turbo, gas trims), LFC1/LFC3 (2.0L hybrid, Sport trims) | 1.5L turbo / 2.0L hybrid | Hybrid-only Sport and Sport Touring trims carry the LFC-family code; the hydrogen e:FCEV variant uses its own chassis code, ZC8 |
Position 9: Check digit
The check digit is the one character in the VIN that catches typos. It’s calculated from the other 16 characters using a fixed weighting table and modulo-11 math. Mistype a single character anywhere in the VIN and the math no longer matches; any compliant decoder, every state DMV, and the NHTSA recall database will reject the entry. This is the reason “look up by VIN” is more reliable than “look up by license plate” for confirming a specific car.
Position 10: Model year
The 10th character maps to model year on a 30-year cycle. This mapping is an ISO standard shared across every manufacturer, so it works the same way on a CR-V as it does on any other vehicle:
| Char | Year | Char | Year | Char | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1993 | 9 | 2009 | K | 2019 |
| R | 1994 | A | 2010 | L | 2020 |
| S | 1995 | B | 2011 | M | 2021 |
| T | 1996 | C | 2012 | N | 2022 |
| V | 1997 | D | 2013 | P | 2023 |
| W | 1998 | E | 2014 | R | 2024 |
| X | 1999 | F | 2015 | S | 2025 |
| Y | 2000 | G | 2016 | T | 2026 |
| 1 | 2001 | H | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 2002 | J | 2018 |
The letters I, O, and Q are skipped because they look like 1 and 0. The cycle repeats: P was 1993 and is again 2023. Use position 11 (the assembly plant) plus the chassis code at positions 4 to 6 to disambiguate when the year character is ambiguous; no RS chassis existed in 1993, so a P on an RS-coded VIN can only mean 2023.
Position 11: Assembly plant
A single character identifies the specific factory. These plant codes are confirmed by decoding real CR-V VINs from each location:
| Char | Plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C | Sayama, Saitama, Japan | Original CR-V plant, 1st generation to present for JDM and export markets |
| L | East Liberty, Ohio, USA | US CR-V production since September 2006 (3rd generation onward) |
| H | Alliston, Ontario, Canada | CR-V production since 2012 (4th generation onward); global lead plant for the 6th generation |
| E | Greensburg, Indiana, USA | CR-V production since February 2017 (5th generation onward) |
| U | Swindon, Wiltshire, UK | European-market CR-V, 1st through 4th generation; ended 2018 |
Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
The final six characters are the production sequence stamped on your specific CR-V as it left the line. Combined with the previous 11 characters, this makes every CR-V VIN globally unique. Two vehicles with the same generation, year, plant, and engine still differ here.
CR-V trim levels and how they appear in the VIN
A Honda CR-V VIN does not spell out the trim name directly. Trim is reconstructed from the VDS combined with the equipment group (build sheet). The most common North American CR-V trims by generation:
- RD1-RD3 (1997-2001): LX, EX
- RD4-RD9 (2002-2006): LX, EX, SE (Special Edition)
- RE1-RE7 (2007-2011): LX, EX, EX-L, SE
- RM1/RM3/RM4 (2012-2016): LX, EX, EX-L, Touring (added 2015)
- RW/RT (2017-2022): LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Special Edition; Hybrid: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring
- RS (2023-present): LX, EX, EX-L, Sport-L, Sport Touring (gas); Sport, Sport-L, Sport Touring (hybrid); e:FCEV (hydrogen)
When you decode a CR-V VIN with the tool above, the result calls the equipment group, packages, and drivetrain (FWD or AWD/4WD) so you can match a sticker price or a build sheet.
Where to find the VIN on a Honda CR-V
Four locations on every modern CR-V, plus the paperwork:
- Lower-left corner of the windshield, visible from outside the vehicle
- Driver’s side B-pillar label (door jamb sticker)
- Stamped on the engine block, near the transmission mount
- Stamped on the chassis frame rail under the front passenger floor mat
- Vehicle title, registration, insurance card, HondaLink app
The windshield and door jamb are the easiest to read on a used-car lot. The engine block and chassis stamps are the ones to check if you suspect a cloned plate; they’re physically tied to the vehicle and much harder to swap.
For a 1997 to 2001 first-generation CR-V (RD1-RD3), the VIN is on the door jamb and stamped on the frame rail; the windshield label was standard on all US-market vehicles from 1997 onward under federal labeling rules.
Honda CR-V recalls and safety
The CR-V has been part of numerous NHTSA recall campaigns across its 30-year US run. Several stand out:
- 2002-2006 CR-V (RD/RE), campaign 12V486: the driver-side power window master switch could fail or melt from moisture intrusion, with a risk of the switch overheating and smoking even while the vehicle was parked. Honda took the unusual step of advising owners to park outside until the repair was done.
- Takata airbag inflators, multiple campaigns (2003-2019): CR-Vs from model years 2002 through roughly 2011, and again from 2015 through 2022, were swept into the largest automotive safety recall in US history, covering both original and replacement Takata inflators that could rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin.
- 2017 CR-V (RW), campaign 17V442: a fuel supply pipe on certain 2017 models may have been manufactured improperly and could disconnect while driving, risking a stall or a fuel leak near an ignition source.
- 2013-2023 CR-V and 2020 CR-V Hybrid, campaign 23V858: an expansion of an earlier fuel pump recall covering a broad range of Honda models; the in-tank fuel pump could fail and cause the engine to stall while driving.
- 2023-2025 CR-V and CR-V Hybrid, campaign 24V744: the steering gearbox assembly may have been built with excessive internal friction, making the vehicle harder to steer.
- 2017-2022 CR-V and 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, campaign 26V332: the front passenger seat weight sensor can crack and short-circuit, potentially causing the airbag to deploy unintentionally in a crash.
To check your specific CR-V:
- Decode the VIN with the tool above to confirm the exact model and year
- Cross-reference the 17-character VIN with Honda’s US recall lookup or NHTSA’s recall database
- Contact your nearest Honda authorized service center for any open campaign repair
Recall repairs are free regardless of vehicle age, mileage, or ownership history.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Honda CR-V 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 under three seconds and include generation (RD, RE, RM, RW/RT, or RS), model year, body, engine code, transmission, drivetrain, assembly plant, and any open NHTSA recalls. No sign-up.
Where is the VIN on a Honda CR-V?
The two easiest spots are the lower-left corner of the windshield (read from outside the vehicle) and the driver-side B-pillar label inside the door frame. Both are required by federal labeling regulation. The engine block and the chassis frame rail under the passenger floor mat carry physical stamps that match the same number.
What does a Honda CR-V VIN starting with 7FA mean?
7FA is the WMI for Honda Manufacturing of Indiana in Greensburg, one of two US plants (alongside East Liberty, Ohio) that build the CR-V. A CR-V with a VIN starting 7FA was built in Indiana. Greensburg has produced CR-Vs since the 5th generation launched there in February 2017.
How do I tell the generation of my CR-V from the VIN?
Look at positions 4 to 6 (the chassis code). RS is the 6th generation (2023 onward). RW or RT is the 5th gen (2017 to 2022), with RT marking the hybrid. RM is the 4th gen (2012 to 2016). RE is the 3rd gen (2007 to 2011). RD covers both the 1st gen (RD1-RD3, 1997-2001) and 2nd gen (RD4-RD9, 2002-2006); the specific number after RD tells them apart. The 10th character then confirms the model year.
Is the Honda CR-V VIN decoder really free?
Yes. VinDecoderPlus decodes every Honda CR-V 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 a Honda CR-V 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 engine-block and chassis stamps are physically tied to the original vehicle. If the windshield and door-jamb VINs match but the block or frame stamp doesn’t, the vehicle has been cloned. The guide how to check if a car is stolen by VIN walks through the verification steps.
Decode any Honda CR-V VIN free
Type your 17-character CR-V VIN into the decoder at the top of this page for an instant breakdown. To go deeper into VIN structure or check other Honda models:
- Honda 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 and non-standard formats
- VIN decoder vs. vehicle history report for what a decode covers vs. what it doesn’t
