Date:   June 16, 2008

There are many different models of Honda Odyssey vans on the road today. There is the LX, EX, EX with RES, EX-L, EX-L with DVD, EX-L with Navigation, Touring, Touring with RES, Touring with RES and Navigation. Along with the varying models and the factory equipment associated with the van,  there are always certain used car dealers who may be offering a vehicle in description, with the picture of a completely different unit on the same ad. 

Because of this confusion, the Sales Department at Accurate decided to help our car shoppers by educating them on identifying Honda Odyssey vans by the serial number (also referred to as the VIN).

This article will cover the current body style of Honda Odyssey, which began in 2005.

The Serial number (or VIN) on all 2005 to 2008 model Honda Odyssey vans will start with 5FNRL which identifies that the unit was assembled at the Alabama plant.

The next series of 3 numbers is the most critical, because this will identify how the vehicle is equipped and they are listed below. Please note that this is not the full listing of equipment on these Honda Odyssey models, but is the high-points of what our sales staff has found to be the most important items to our Honda Odyssey van shoppers.

5FNRL382   -   Indicates that this unit is a Honda Odyssey LX. It is a base unit. The sliding doors are manual, with no power assist and the wheels are steel with plastic wheel covers

5FNRL384   -   Indicates that this unit is a Honda Odyssey EX. This van has cloth interior, alloy wheels and power sliding doors.

5FNRL386   -  Indicates that this is the Honda Odyssey EX-L. This van has features that include heated leather seats, power sliding doors, alloy wheels and a sunroof.

5FNRL387  -  Indicates that this is the Honda Odyssey EX-L with RES (Rear Entertainment System). This van has features that include heated leather seats, alloy wheels, power sliding doors, power sunroof, and the RES / DVD system.

*** Please note that the 5FNRL387 always indicates that the van will be an EX-L with the RES/ DVD system but can also indicate that it can have Navigation with back-up camera. American Honda does not separate the RES / DVD units from the RES / DVD units with Navigation. A 387 in the VIN can indicate being equipped either way.

5FNRL388   -  Indicates that this Honda Odyssey is the Touring model. All Honda Odyssey Touring models will have heated leather seats, a sunroof, power sliding doors, power rear hatch, run-flat Michelin tires, and a 110 volt power outlet. To our knowledge all 2007 and 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring models also have both the RES / DVD system as well as the Navigation with back-up camera and bumper sensors.

***Please note that the 5FNRL388 is always a Touring model but not all Touring models are equipped with either RES / DVD or Navigation with back-up camera. In fact, there are earlier models of the 2005 and 2006 Honda Odyssey Touring units, that do not have  RES / DVD or the Navigation with back-up camera and some of the Touring models will only have the RES / DVD system. The 388 in the VIN of a Honda Odyssey always indicates it is a Touring model. 

This should help when shopping for your next Honda Odyssey. In the near future, we will be placing articles pertaining to shopping by VIN for the Honda Ridgeline, and the Acura MDX.

At AccurateCars.com we are committed to being the best place in Nashville and middle Tennessee (TN) to purchase and service your Honda and Acura automobiles.

Always expect Certified Quality in our Honda and Acura inventory.