How To Read A Vin Number

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Use the tenth character to determine the model year.

How To Read A Vin Number Honda

GM vehicles, like all other vehicles, have a vehicle identification number (VIN) that provides a unique identifier for each vehicle. The VIN is stamped onto a plate attached to the left side of the vehicle's dashboard and can be most easily viewed from the outside of the vehicle by looking through the front window. A vehicle identification number (VIN) is the 17-digit 'name,' made up of numbers and characters, that an automobile manufacturer assigns to an individual vehicle. Vehicle identification numbers.

This method will always work for North American cars, and will often work for cars from other regions. Note that this might be one year later than the car was actually made. A model year of 2008 means the car was probably made either in 2007 or 2008. See below for decoding instructions:[4]
  • A 10th character which is an A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or H indicate the years 1980 – 1987 in alphabetical order, or the years 2010 – 2017.
  • J, K, L, M, and N are reserved for model years 1988 – 1992, or 2018 – 2022.
  • P means the model year is 1993 or 2023.
  • R, S, and T mean 1994 – 1996 or 2024 – 2026.
  • V, W, X, and Y mean 1997 – 2000 or 2027 – 2030.
  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 indicate the years 2001 – 2009 or 2031 – 2039.
  • A real VIN never contains the letters I, O, or Q. The year code has additional restrictions, never using the number 0 or the letters U or Z.
  • If you're not sure whether your car is new or old, check the vehicle's 7th character. If this is a number, your vehicle's model year is earlier than 2010. If the 7th character is a letter, the model year is 2010 or later (until 2039).
DIYNissan VIN, Model Line and Engine DecodingHow to read a vin number chevroletHow to read a vin number hyundaiHow to read a vin number year

What is a VIN?
The VIN is the 'Vehicle Identification Number' for your automobile or truck. This number breaks down your vehicle to illustrate such things as engine size, body style, model year,transmission type, color, etc. For vehicles newer than 1980, this is a 17 digit alphanumeric number.

Where to Find VIN Numbers?
The most common place to find your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is on a small metal plate attached to the driver side top of the dashboard. The tag is designed to be visible throughthe windshield for easy access. Every car is required to have one of these and all of them are located in this one place. It is illegal to remove or change this plate. If the tag is missing,chances are the vehicle has been repaired, or was most likely, stolen.

Other places where you might find your vehicles' VIN number:

  • Vehicle Identification Label in your Owner's Manual
  • Stamped on the frame under the front hood
  • On a sticker on the driver's side door pillar
  • On state vehicle registration certificate
  • On the vehicle title of ownership
  • New cars have the VIN on the price sticker
  • A label in the luggage/spare tire area

Why is this VIN so important?
The VIN gives a detailed breakdown of your vehicle so any guesswork on the application of the vehicle to find the correct parts, repair information, service procedures, etc.

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Are all the letters and numbers necessary when entering my VIN?
Yes, the VIN sequence as well as properly entering each number and letter is critical. Each alphanumeric entry represents a particular feature of your vehicle so please take your timewhile entering the VIN and double-check it.

Still have questions? Post your questions on the Nissanhelp.com Forums

Related Links
Nissan Engine Decoder
Nissan Model Line Decoder

Example 5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Manufacturer
JN1Japan Produce Nissan Passenger Vehicle
JN3Japan Produce Nissan Passenger Vehicle
JN6Japan Produce Nissan Truck & Van
JN8Japan Produce Nissan Multi-Purpose Vehicle
1N4USA Produce Nissan Car
1N6USA Produce Nissan Truck
5BZUSA Produce Nissan Truck & Van
5N1USA Produce Nissan Multi-Purpose
3N1Mexico Produce Nissan Car
JN1Japan Produce Nissan Car
JN3Japan Produce Nissan Convertible
JN6Japan Produce Nissan Van
JN8Japan Produce Nissan Multi-Purpose Vehicle
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001 Engine Type ⇒Extended Engine Type
AVG30D, VK45DE, VQ35DE, VK56DE, VQ40DE, QR25DE
BKA24DE, SR20DE, VQ35HR, MR18DE, QR25DE
CSR20DE, VG30DETT, QG18DE
DKA24DE, QG18DE, VQ35DE,
EVE30DE, GA16DE, VG33E
FKA24E
HVG30E
MKA24DE, VG33ER
NVH45DE
RVG30DE
SKA24E
TVG33E
5N1-N-G-1-C-8-S-T-000001 Model Line ⇒Extended Model Line
AArmada, Titan, Maxima
BSentra
CVersa (07-11)
DTruck, Xterra (00-04), Frontier
JMaxima
NXterra (05-11)
RPathfinder
S240SX, Rogue (08-11)
UAltima
Z300Z, 350Z, Murano
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Model Change (0-9)
0No Change
Example
6Frontier King Cab
7Frontier Crew Cab
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Body Type
14-Door Sedan, Standard Body Truck
42-Door Coupe
54-Door Wagon
62-Door Convertible, Fastback, King Cab Truck
7Crew Cab Truck
88- Door Wagon
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Miscellaneous
AAir Bag System
CAir Bag System
DDriver & Front Passenger Air Bag + 3 Point Seat Belt
EDriver and front passenger SRS air bags, SRS side air bags, SRS curtain air bag & 3 point manual seat belt
PPassive Restraint System
S2 Wheel Drive (2WD) - Rear ABS
T2 Wheel Drive (2WD) - 4-Wheel ABS
Y4 Wheel Drive (4WD) - 4-Wheel ABS
U2WD
WAWD (4WD)
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Check Digit
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Model Year
L1990
M1991
N1192
P1993
R1994
S1995
T1996
V1997
W1998
X1999
Y2000
12001
22002
32003
42004
52005
62006
72007
82008
92009
A2010
B2011
C2012
D2013
E2014
F2015
G2016
H2017
J2018
K2019
L2020
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Plant Code
CSmyrna, Tennessee, USA
LAguas Calientes, Mexico
MTochigi, Japan
NCanton, Mississippi, USA
TTochigi, Japan
TOppama, Japan
WKyushyu, Japan
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Serial Number

* For a more accurate detailed information of the VIN please see the 'General Information' (GI)section of the service manual.

Example SR16VE
SR-16-VESeries
VQAltima, Maxima, Z
SRSentra
VGPathfinder, Frontier
SR-16-VEDisplacement in Liters
161.6 Liters
181.8 Liters
353.5 Liters
373.7 Liters
565.6 Liters
SR-16-VEValve train
AbsentSOHC
DDOHC
VVariable Valve Lift (VVL) plus DOHC
SR-16-VEFuel Delivery
AbsentCarburetor
EMultiport Fuel Injection
IThrottle Body Fuel Injection
DDirect Injection
SR-16-VEAbsentForced Induction
Absent
TSingle Turbo
+ ROversize Turbo when used with T or TT prefix
TTTwin Turbo
RSupercharger (i.e; VG33ER)
Model LineModel
310Nissan Sedan/Wagon
410/1Nissan 410/1
510Nissan 510
520/1Nissan 520 (Truck)
60Nissan Patrol
610SNissan 610 Sedan
610WNissan 610 Wagon
620Nissan 620 Truck
710SNissan 710 Sedan
710WNissan 710 Wagon
720Nissan 720 Truck
810Nissan 810
910Nissan 810 Maxima
A10Nissan 510 (78-81)
A32Nissan Maxima (1995-1999)
A33Nissan Maxima (2000-2003)
A34Nissan Maxima (2004-2009)
A35Nissan Maxima (2010-2012)
A60Nissan Titan (2003-2012)
B11Nissan Sentra (83-86)
B110Nissan 1200
B12Nissan Sentra (1987-1990)
B13Nissan Sentra (1991-1994)
B14Nissan Sentra (1995-1999)
B15Nissan Sentra (2000-2006)
B16Nissan Sentra (2006-2012)
B210Nissan B210
B310Nissan 210
C11Nissan Versa (2007-2012)
CL32Nissan Altima Coupe (2008-2012)
D21Nissan Hardbody Truck (86.5-97)
D22Nissan Frontier Truck (98~)
E52Nissan Quest (2011-2012))
F10Nissan F10
F15Nissan JUKE (2011-2012)
F80Nissan NV
GC22Nissan Van
HL32Nissan Altima Hybrid (2007-2011)
J30Nissan Maxima (89-94)
KN13Nissan Pulsar 87-90)
L30Nissan Alt (98-01)
L31Nissan Altima (02~)
M10Nissan Stanza Wagon
M11Nissan Axxess
N10Nissan 310
N12Nissan Pulsar (83-86)
N50Nissan Nissan Xterra (2005-2012)
R35Nissan GTR (2009-2012)
R50Nissan Pathfinder (1996-2004)
R51Nissan Pathfinder (2005-2012)
S10Nissan 200SX (77-79)
S110Nissan 200SX (80-83)
S12Nissan 200SX (84-88)
S13Nissan 240SX (89-94)
S130Nissan 280ZX (79-83)
S14Nissan 240SX (95-98)
S30Nissan 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, (70-78)
S35Nissan Rogue(2008-2012)
SPSRNissan Roadster
T11Nissan Stanza
T12Nissan Stanza
TA60Nissan Armada (2004-2012)
U11Nissan Maxima (86-88)
U12Nissan Stanza (90-92)
U13Nissan Altima (93-97)
V40Nissan Quest (93-98)
V41Nissan Quest (2000-2002))
V42Nissan Quest (2004-2010))
WD21Nissan Pathfinder (86-95)
WD22Nissan Xterra (2000-2004)
Z12Nissan CUBE (2009-2012)
Z31Nissan 300ZX (84-89)
Z32Nissan 300ZX (90-96)
Z50Nissan Murano (2003-2007)
Z51Nissan Murano (2009-2012)