How to Decipher a GM VIN Code

Decode your General Motors vehicle identification number.

General Motors consists of several divisions and manufactures many different models. Decoding the vehicle identification number, or VIN, can give you a lot of specific information about your General Motors vehicle. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration instituted a standard 17-character VIN format in 1981. You can decode your standard-format GM vehicle identification number in minutes.

Instructions

1. Locate the VIN number. It is found on the left side under the windshield molding, attached to dash panel. It can also found on the title.

2. Interpret the first character. This indicates the country where the vehicle was manufactured. The digit 1 is for USA, 2 for Canada, 3 for Mexico, J for Japan, K for Korea, S for England and W for Germany.

3. Interpret the second character. The letter G designates General Motors.

4. Interpret the third character. This number indicates the division. The digit 1 is for Chevrolet, 2 for Pontiac, 3 for Oldsmobile, 4 for Buick, 6 for Cadillac and 8 for Saturn

5. Interpret the fourth and fifth characters. These indicate platform and series. Some of the more popular are CW for the Buick Park Avenue, DG for the Cadillac CTS, FP for the Camaro, FS for the Firebird, HP for the Buick LeSabre, HX for the Pontiac Bonneville, ND for the Chevrolet Malibu, WB for the Buick Regal, WJ for the Pontiac Grand Prix, WY for the Buick Century and YY for the Chevrolet Corvette.

6. Interpret the sixth character. This indicates the body style. The number 1 is for a two-door coupe (GM styles 27, 37, 47, 57), 2 is for a two-door (GM styles 07, 08, 77, 87), 3 for a two-door convertible, 5 for a four-door sedan (GM styles 19, 69), 6 for a four-door sedan hatchback (GM styles 29, 29, 48, 68), 8 for a two-door hatchback and 9 for a four-door station wagon.

7. Interpret the seventh character. This indicates the restraint system. The number 1 is for active manual belts; 2 for manual belts with driver and passenger front inflatable air bags; 4 for manual belts with driver and passenger front and side inflatable air bags; 5 for manual belts with front inflatable and driver's-side inflatable air bags; 6 for manual belts with front and side inflatable air bags with passenger occupant sensor; 7 for manual belts with front, side and rear passenger side inflatable air bags; and 9 for seat belts only.

8. Interpret the eighth character. This indicates the engine used. There are many different types of engine combinations for each model and year. The number 1 is for a 3.8-liter L67, 2 for a 1.3 LY8, 4 for a 2.2 LN2, 6 for a 2.2 L42, 8 for a 1.8 LV6, 9 for a 4.6 L37, A for a 2.3 LGO, C for a 4.0 L47, D for a 2.3 LD2, E for a 3.4 LA1, F for a 2.2 L61, G for a 5.7 LS1, H for a 5.0 LX5, J for a 3.1 LG8, K for a 3.8 L36, L for a 1.8 LNK, M for a 1.4 L95, N for a 3.2 LA3, P for a 5.7 LT1, R for a 3.0 L81, S for a 5.7 LS6, T for a 2.4 LD9, U for a 6.0 LS2, W for a 2.8 L35 and X for a 3.1 LG5.

9. Decode the 10th character. This indicates the model year. A is for 1980, B for 1981, C for 1982, D for 1983, E for 1984, F for 1985, G for 1986, H for 1987, J for 1988, K for 1989, L for 1990, M for 1991, N for 1992, P for 1993, R for 1994, S for 1995, T for 1996, V for 1997, W for 1998, X for 1999, Y for 2000, 1 for 2001, 2, for 2002, 3 for 2003, 4 for 2004, 5 for 2005, 6 for 2006, 7 for 2007, 8 for 2008 and 9 for 2009.

10. Locate the 11th digit. This indicates the plant location. There are multiple plants in the same cities. A is for Lakewood, Georgia; B for Baltimore, Maryland; C for Lansing, Michigan; D for Doraville, Georgia; E for Linden, New Jersey, and Pontiac, Michigan; F for Fairfax, Kansas; G for Framingham, Massachusetts; H for Flint, Michigan; J for Janesville, Wisconsin; K for Leeds, Missouri; L for Van Nuys, California; M for Lansing, Michigan; N for Norwood, Ohio; O for Lansing, Michigan; P for Pontiac, Michigan; Q for Detroit; R for Arlington, Texas; S for St. Louis, Missouri; T for Tarrytown, New York; U for Hamtramck, Michigan; V for Pontiac, Michigan; W for Willow Run, Michigan, X for Fairfax, Kansas; Y for Wilmington, Delaware; Z for Fort Wayne, Indiana, Freemont, California, and Spring Hill, Tennessee; 0 for Pontiac, Michigan; 1 for Wentzville, Missouri; 2 for Moraine, Ohio; 3 for Detroit; 4 for Orion, Michigan; 5 for Bowling Green, Kentucky; 6 for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 7 for Lordstown, Ohio; 8 for Shreveport, Louisiana; and 9 for Detroit. There are also several international manufacturing plants not included here.

11. Decode the remaining six characters. The last six digits designate the serial number and production sequence of the vehicle.

References

• Decode a GM VIN
• Vin Guard: VIN Vehicle Identification Number History How To Read A VIN