If you want to verify the exact factory-installed features of an Acura—whether you’re an owner, a prospective buyer, a seller, or simply an enthusiast—the build sheet is the key document to consult. It details the vehicle’s original configuration at the time of production, listing its options, trim packages, paint and interior codes, gear ratios, and other factory specifications.
Some manufacturers make the build sheet freely available, but access varies by brand and model year. To streamline the search, we’ve developed an Acura Build Sheet by VIN lookup tool. By entering the vehicle’s VIN, users can retrieve its factory build information whenever it’s accessible. If Acura doesn’t provide a complimentary build sheet, our system will automatically check whether a free OEM window sticker is available instead. While not as detailed as a build sheet, a car’s window sticker also provides a wide range of compelling information about how a vehicle was originally configured. And if neither document can be obtained directly, we work with a verified, reputable partner that can reconstruct the build sheet or window sticker using official factory build data to ensure accuracy.
The FAQ below explains every aspect of Acura’s build sheets—how to locate them, what information they contain, and why they’re essential for understanding a vehicle’s true factory configuration.
A build sheet (sometimes called a build manifest or broadcast sheet) is the factory configuration record for a specific vehicle: trim, powertrain, exterior/interior color codes, option/package codes, and various production details tied to the VIN. It was created for a vehicle’s production process—not for marketing or pricing purposes. A build sheet typically includes internal codes that never appear on consumer labels. It’s important to distinguish the build sheet from the window sticker (Monroney label), which is required by U.S. law on new vehicles and lists MSRP, standard/optional equipment with prices, fuel economy, and safety ratings; it is not the same as the factory build manifest, though some vehicle information is recorded on both documents.
Usually, no. American Honda does not routinely release the internal factory build sheet to retail customers. Dealers can retrieve VIN‑specific equipment/vehicle build data from American Honda’s systems, and may print a configuration/equipment summary upon request; that’s one to obtain a vehicle’s build sheet, though it’s usually restricted to owners who have proof of ownership.
Ask an Acura dealer for a VIN‑specific equipment printout. Call the service or parts department and request the VIN’s equipment/options summary from American Honda’s internal systems (commonly accessed by dealers). Many owners report success getting a printout that lists original colors, trim, and factory options; bring proof of ownership.
Contact Acura Client Relations (useful if you hit a dead end with a dealer). Provide your VIN and ask what configuration information they can share or how to obtain documentation for your specific car. Phone numbers and other contact information are published on the Acura Owners site.
Get a reproduction of the window sticker (Monroney label). Third‑party services such as Build Sheet by VIN can often produce the original sticker by VIN (for a fee). This is not a build sheet, but it’s extremely useful for verifying original equipment and packages with pricing.
Decode the VIN on authoritative sites. Use NHTSA’s vPIC VIN Decoder to confirm plant, body type, engine family, etc., and consult Honda/Acura VIN/WMI tables for where the vehicle was built (e.g., JH4, 19U, 5J8, 2HN).
Check Acura Owners/MyGarage for digital records that complement the above. You won’t get a build sheet there, but you can access recalls and see service history, which helps confirm what the car is and how consistently it’s been serviced.
For the first year after purchase of a new Acura: Acura’s own guidance says a duplicate/replacement Monroney label can be requested from the original selling dealer within the first year of ownership. That’s specific and time‑bound.
1986–2000s Acuras (U.S.) – Japanese makes typically did not stash a detailed “broadcast sheet” under seats the way some Detroit brands did. Documentation for buyers resides in the window sticker and the dealer invoice; production data recorded and saved by the manufacturer. If you’re hunting for factory option codes, focus on decoding the car’s VIN, paint/trim tags, and getting a dealer equipment printout (this is why so many Honda/Acura owners lean on dealer systems today).
Special case: Acura SLX (1996–1999) – Because the SLX was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper, you’ll find an engine‑bay Service Parts Identification (SPID) plate listing paint info and production options—a true “option code” plate, unlike most Acuras. This is inherited from the car’s Isuzu origins, and not an Acura‑wide practice.
Honda Passport – the original Honda Passport was another rebadged Isuzu, with a Service Parts ID plate listing options for Isuzu‑sourced platforms, reinforcing its Isuzu/SPID heritage.
Modern era – Dealers pull VIN‑specific “vehicle build data” from American Honda’s online systems; that, plus a Monroney reproduction, gives you nearly everything a hobbyist/restorer needs without an actual factory manifest.
Dealer systems (American Honda’s “Service Express/iN” ecosystem): Modern Hondas and Acuras have their VIN‑tied build/equipment info and dealer service history stored in this system. A dealer can print a summary for you on request.
Acura Owners/MyGarage: This site provides centralized access to manuals, recall campaign status, and a place to keep service records.
NHTSA vPIC/recall portals: NHTSA provides authoritative VIN decoding and recall lookups. Use both when vetting a car.
Capture the 17‑character VIN from the dash (windshield lower‑left) and the driver’s‑door certification label (owner’s manuals describe locations if needed).
Decode the WMI (VIN positions 1–3). Examples you’ll see on Acuras:
JH4 = Acura passenger car built in Japan
19U / 19V = Acura passenger car built in the U.S. (various plants)
5J8 / 5FR = Acura multipurpose/SUV built in the U.S.
2HN = Acura MPV built in Canada
Run the VIN through NHTSA’s VIN Decoder (vPIC) to pull plant, body, engine family, and other descriptors from the manufacturer’s reporting system. Save a PDF of the results for your records.
Interpret the 10th character (model year) using industry‑standard VIN year coding cited by NHTSA (e.g., A=2010, B=2011 … V=2025).
Note the 11th character (assembly plant) and cross‑reference via the vPIC output or a dealer printout to identify the exact plant (e.g., PMC for NSX, East Liberty/Marysville for others).
Record the exterior paint code from the door‑jamb label (e.g., NH‑731P, B‑553P). Acura/Honda places the color code on the driver’s door‑jamb “Service Tag.” This is crucial for accurate parts/paint ordering.
Confirm trim/package content against a Monroney label (original or reproduction). Packages like Technology, A‑Spec, Advance, and Type S will be explicitly listed with MSRP details on the sticker, even though Acura typically limits true “standalone” factory options.
Ask a dealer to print the VIN’s equipment summary to see internal descriptions and codes (color/trim identifiers, package content, sometimes port‑installed accessories). Keep that with your vPIC decode and sticker.
Check recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s site and screenshot the results for your ownership file.
If your Acura is an SLX (Isuzu‑based), photograph the SPID plate in the engine bay—it lists all production options and paint data, functionally acting like a visible “build code” plate.
Purpose
Build sheet: internal production record used to build and service the car
Window sticker (Monroney): consumer disclosure mandated by federal law
Content
Build sheet: factory codes, configuration details, and production data; no pricing
Window sticker: MSRP, destination charge, standard/optional equipment with prices, fuel‑economy (EPA), safety ratings (NCAP), origin/location of factory data
Availability
Build sheet: generally not released to U.S. consumers; rely on dealer equipment printouts.
Window sticker: affixed to every new vehicle; duplicates can sometimes be obtained from the selling dealer for a limited time after purchase, or reproduced by third‑party services later.
“All brands hide a paper build sheet in the car.” Not for Acura. That’s common lore from certain domestic brands. For Honda/Acura, the consumer‑facing artifact is the Monroney; production data lives digitally with the manufacturer and dealers.
“I can always get a copy of the window sticker from Acura at any time.” Acura’s own knowledge base says duplicate/replacement labels must be requested from the original selling dealer and only within the first year of ownership. After that, use third‑party reproduction services.
“VIN decoders give me the full build sheet.” Public VIN decoders provide manufacturer‑reported attributes (WMI/body/engine/plant and sometimes trim), not the full internal code manifest. Use NHTSA vPIC for an authoritative decode, then supplement with a dealer equipment printout.
WMI (1–3): manufacturer/origin (e.g., JH4 Japan Acura car; 19U U.S. Acura car; 5J8 U.S. Acura MPV; 2HN Canada Acura MPV).
VDS (4–9): body/engine/restraint attributes and check digit (9th).
VIS (10–17): model year (10th), plant (11th), and serial sequence (12–17). Use NHTSA vPIC for decoding and verification.
Look at the driver‑side door‑jamb Service Tag for the paint code (e.g., NH‑797M). That label also carries the VIN. It’s the correct way to order color‑sensitive parts and paint.
Acura SLX (Isuzu‑based): check the engine‑bay SPID plate for option codes—the rare Acura that actually has a visible option plate.
Dealer PDI and “build sheets”: some owners of modern Honda/Acura products report that any line‑ticket or manifest attached to a new car during shipping is discarded at pre‑delivery. Treat any surviving paper as luck, not policy.
Ask specifically for a “VIN‑specific equipment/build data printout” from a dealer’s service/parts desk; don’t just say “build sheet.” It signals you know what to ask for in Acura/Honda terms.
Pair a Monroney reproduction with a dealer printout. The window sticker gives prices and packages; the printout gives internal config codes. Together they’re stronger proof for buyers/sellers.
Archive a vPIC PDF and an NHTSA recall screenshot with your documents. It’s free provenance that survives dealer DMS changes.
Don’t overlook the paint code on the door jamb—it’s the fastest way to ensure correct interior/exterior‑color parts and paint.
Remember Acura’s option philosophy. Compared with GM/Ford, Acura generally packages content by trim (Tech, A‑Spec, Advance, Type S) with relatively few true stand‑alone factory options; missing “codes” on a printout may simply reflect that philosophy. Verify against the sticker.
VIN → vPIC decode (save PDF)
VIN → NHTSA recall check (screenshot results)
VIN → Monroney reproduction (for pricing and package content)
Owner proof (if applicable) → Dealer equipment printout (for internal build data and service history at Acura dealers)
Door‑jamb → paint code for parts/paint match
SLX only → photo of SPID plate (options/paint)
Within one year of the in‑service/sales date, the original selling Acura dealer can request a duplicate; after that, use a third‑party service. That one‑year window is Acura’s published policy.
If you have any issues or questions, feel free to reach out to our support team via info at buildsheetbyvin dot com.