Car · VIN decoder

VIN decoder

A VIN is a 17-character code that tells you the year, make, model and engine of a car. Enter it to decode it and to see recalls.

By VIN By year, make and model

VIN (17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield or the driver door jamb) Look up this VIN

Recall and complaint data comes from NHTSA, the US government's vehicle safety agency, and is cached for up to a day. Recall repairs at a dealer are free. A recall that is not listed may not apply to your car or may not be filed yet. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls too.

Where to find the VIN

• On the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver side.
• On the sticker inside the driver door jamb.
• On your registration, insurance card or title.

How to read it

The first 3 characters say who made it and where. The next 5 describe the model and engine. The 9th is a check digit that catches typing errors. The 10th is the model year. The last 8 are the plant and the serial number. A VIN never uses the letters I, O or Q.