In 1986, Honda engineers created Japan’s first luxury brand, Acura. Within a year of its introduction, the brand had two well-received models: the Integra and Legend. Dealerships quickly sprung up around the world, and Acura had suddenly become a top global brand.
The Acura NSX was the brand’s entry into the supercar world. In 1992, Motor Trend magazine declared the NSX the best sports car ever built. The car exemplified everything a true driver wanted in a supercar: innovation and exhilarating performance.
Acura’s creation came in 1986, a few short years after the NHTSA mandated the 17-digit alphanumeric code for passenger vehicles. Until that time, automakers stamped varied characters in the engine and chassis to document production numbers. The system was completely out of control until the NHTSA stepped in and solved the confusion.
Acura VIN Decoder
Quality VIN decoding tools give users a basic understanding of a specific vehicle, such as the make, model, engine size and transmission type. The Free GoodCar VIN Decoder tool scans millions of bits of data to bring its users the latest information. Input the 17-digit alphanumeric code into the GoodCar search engine, and a basic report is returned instantly.
Quality VIN decoders, such as GoodCar, glean information from hundreds of public and private databases worldwide. Input the 17-digit code into the Free GoodCar VIN Decoder, and the tool will return a basic profile and timeline of any vehicle.
Deciphering an Acura VIN
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Acura VIN Locations
Acura places its VIN codes in areas where they are unlikely to be damaged in an accident, making it difficult for car thieves to replace the plaque. The NHTSA regulates two locations for VIN codes that must be on every car or truck.
- A VIN plate is attached to the driver's side dashboard at the windshield. The VIN must be visible through the glass.
- The second required location is on the driver’s side door post. The company stamps the VIN on a tamper-proof palate and attaches it to the post near the latch.
- Other VIN locations include the firewall, the engine block, the transmission, or the frame. VINs are also located in ownership docs, registration papers, and insurance information.
Popular Acura Models
Even though Acura has been in America for a relatively short period, the company has a longstanding and rich motoring history on the world stage.
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is listed as a mid-size luxury crossover SUV. However, some consumers consider the MDX to be a family van or a performance SUV. No matter the classification, the MDX is a powerful and sleek road warrior with plenty of luxury and horsepower to spare. The base MDX starts at $51,900 and climbs to the Type S advance with a price of $75,250. Consumers can choose the 290hp, 3.5L V6, or go with a beast, which is the 3.0L Turbo V6, at a stunning 355hp. Full connection packages are offered with a Bang and Olufsen sound system. Use the advanced smartphone app to stay connected to your MDX using the acuraLink.com technology.
Acura NSX Supercar
Acura enthusiasts cannot talk about the brand without first mentioning the NSX supercar. Out of production for the 2024 model year, Acura is discussing ways to bring the iconic automobile back into production as early as 2027. From its beginning in 1990, the mid-engined, naturally aspirated V6 could reach an impressive top speed of 168 mph. For over 30 years, the raw power and sleek styling of the NSX continue to impress sports car purists from around the globe. Specs on the latest model of the NSX are breathtaking. The 2022 NSX features a 3.5L V6 gas /electric, twin-turbo, churning out 600hp and 492 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters makes the NSX an absolute blast to drive. The 2022 NSX has a top speed of 198 mph and goes 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds.
GoodCar Acura VIN Checks
Honda engineers created the Acura brand in 1986, and within a year, Acura was well on its way to the top of the charts. The 1981 NHTSA rule stated that each passenger car has a VIN sunk or embossed as part of the vehicle. A VIN scheme was actually created in 1968 with the enactment of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS no.115) and standardized in 1981.
A VIN lookup is a way for a user to obtain highly detailed information about a specific vehicle using the 17-digit alphanumeric code. Using a quality VIN lookup application such as GoodCar’s VIN Check tool, prospective buyers, owners, fleet managers, and others can receive a wealth of specific information such as age, features,values, and where it was built.
For those who need a comprehensive timeline for a vehicle, use the GoodCar VIN Check service, which goes well beyond a standard VIN decoder. GoodCar searches through billions of bits of data to find the most up-to-date and specific vehicle information.
GoodCar Acura VIN Checks
A GoodCar report documents every significant event that has ever happened to a specific vehicle. Tilt information from each owner is documented along with every odometer reading. Mileage fraud is a lucrative crime for auto thieves, and it is easy to roll back an odometer for analog instruments. GoodCar provides mileage and ownership history to help you detect such fraud.
Title brands such as salvage, rebuilt, and clear titles are an essential part of the GoodCar VIN Check service. A salvage title tells a prospective buyer the vehicle has been in a severe accident, and the insurance has deemed the car a total loss. Know instantly whether a vehicle’s clear ownership can be transferred successfully.
Recalls and technical service bulletins are essential for owners, vehicle managers, fleet managers, and similar individuals. GoodCar provides the exact date and reason for a recall and any immediate action the owner should take.
Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
August 2024, NHTSA Item Number: 11006535, 2024 Acura MDX. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has recalled certain 2022-2024 MDXs with a client complaint of the moonroof seal being visually deformed, torn, or binding. This may cause water leaks, or the moonroof may not operate properly, which may cause severe damage to the interior. Owners should take their vehicles to the nearest dealership for inspection and repair.
August 2024, NHTSA Item Number: 11005526, 2024 Acura MDX. A coaxial cable was not manufactured to the proper specifications. Improperly manufactured terminals may lead to poor communications in the media-oriented system transport (MOST) bus network. This defect can potentially affect the audio system and alert service. Owners should take their MDX to the nearest dealership for inspection and repair.
Recalls
The largest recall of Honda and Acura automobiles was the Takata Airbag disaster, with nearly 12 million vehicles affected. Several Honda and Acura models were involved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is focusing on a subset of the defective Takata inflators that are especially worrisome. These so-called “Alpha” inflators, found in certain 2001 – 2003 Honda and Acura models, have an alarming rupture rate of as high as 50 percent, according to NHTSA and Takata.
In December 2023, over 2.5 million Honda and Acura models were recalled due to faulty fuel pumps. This issue covers a wide variety of Honda and Acura vehicles from the 2017 to 2020 model years, and even the low-volume NSX supercar is affected. The problem lies within the fuel pump itself, where the impeller "can deform and interfere with the fuel pump body, rendering the fuel pump inoperative," Honda said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "If the fuel pump module is inoperative, the engine may not start or can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Honda says it has sent notifications to the affected owners.