Free Ford VIN Decoder

Where is the Ford VIN Located?

The Ford VIN number has changed a lot over the decades, getting longer and moving around. Nowadays, depending on the model, you can usually find the VIN in several places, and decoding it for free is pretty straightforward.

There are three standard locations for Ford VIN Number:

• • • The Ford VIN is located on the front of the dashboard, driver’s side of the windshield.
    • The VIN is also on the data plate in the driver’s side doorjamb.
    • Vehicle documents provide data usable for a free Ford VIN decoder.

On a Ford Mustang, the Ford VIN was located in several places, depending on the year manufactured:

• • • Pre-1968: VIN on the passenger side where the windshield meets the dashboard.
    • 1968-1973: Partial VIN near the back of the engine block.
    • Post-1969: VIN on the driver’s side where the windshield meets the dashboard.
    • Modern: VIN in the engine compartment, under the driver’s side fender apron.

On a Ford Focus, the VIN can be found in three places:

• • • The Ford VIN is behind the front grille on the locking bonnet catch.
    • It’s stamped on a silver metal plate with two rivets under the air intake, on the nearside of the front slam panel.
    • The VIN is also stamped on the footwell in front of the driver’s seat.

How Do You Decode a Ford VIN?

Each of the 17 digits in a Ford VIN has an assigned value and a corresponding data type to be decoded by a Ford Free VIN Decoder.

World Manufacturer Identifier 

The first three digits (1st, 2nd, 3rd) investigated by Ford VIN searches make up the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), which illustrates the manufacturing country, manufacturer, and vehicle type.  

First Character (Region/Country): This character shows where the vehicle was made. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) assigns these characters.

1, 4, 5	United States
2	Canada
3	Mexico
J	Japan
KL-KR	Korea
SA-SM	United Kingdom
SN-ST	Germany
ZA-ZU	Italy

In the succeeding examples, we have codes that represent the WMI of Ford.

1FA 1FB 1FC 1FD 1FM 1FT

Ford Motor Company

 

Vehicle Descriptor Section 

Digits 4th – 9th make up the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) that is unlocked by Ford VIN Decoder. As the name implies, it provides comprehensive data on easily recognizable features of a vehicle, such as its type, platform, model, and body style.  

• • The fourth digit (4th) illustrates the type of restraint system used (such as seat belts and airbags) or the gross vehicle weight rating. 
  • The fifth through seventh digits (5th – 7th) to be decoded in a Ford VIN signify the model.
  • Meanwhile, the eighth digit (8th) reveals the engine type and other info when checked via Ford VIN Lookup.
  • The ninth digit (9th) in Ford VIN decoding is known as the “check digit” — a secret number assigned by the manufacturer and not released to the public.  It allows law enforcement to validate and authenticate a VIN, preventing the spread of fraudulent VINs.

 Below are some examples of codes that represent certain Ford restraint types.  

P	Passive belts (Manual)
B	Active belts
C	Driver Airbag and Active Belts

 Ford GVWR Codes

A	up to 3,000
B	3,001 – 4,000
C	4,001 – 5,000
(succeeding letters correspond to higher mass)

Vehicle Identifier Section 

The 10th – 17th digits represent the Ford VIN section called the ‘Vehicle Identifier Section’ (VIS) which deals with the identification and tracking of the vehicle in question. Aside from sequential or serial numbers, some manufacturers may also assign data related to the engine or transmission. 

• • • The tenth and eleventh digits (10th – 11th) represent the model year and factory ID respectively when you Decode a Ford VIN.
    • Finally, the last six digits (12th – 17th) are the unique serial number explicitly assigned to that vehicle, based on the order in which it came off the factory’s assembly line for that year’s model.
      

Model Years

A	1980, 2010
B	1981, 2011
X	1999, 2029
Y	2000, 2030
1	2001, 2031
2	2002, 2032
8	2008, 2038
9	2009, 2039

Plant Code

B	Oakville Assembly (Oakville, Ontario, Canada)
G	Chicago Assembly (Chicago, Illinois)
K	Kansas City Assembly (Claycomo, Missouri)
L	Michigan Assembly (formerly Michigan Truck) (Wayne, Michigan)
U	Louisville Assembly (Louisville, Kentucky)

Why do I need a Ford VIN decoder?

A Ford VIN decoder can supply much-needed car report information for a variety of people and entities across the US.

Used Car Buyers: A Ford VIN decoder can provide critical data about a used car that allows buyers to make an informed purchase. It allows buyers to find out the vehicle’s age, model type, engine size, color/paint codes, optional equipment/features and more. This way buyers can make sure they are getting the exact car they want and not something different than what they expected. It also provides them with sales and accident history which will help them understand if there have been any major repairs or issues with the vehicle in the past.

Used Car Sellers: A Ford VIN decoder can be useful for used car sellers as well. The tool can help them determine the value of their vehicle accurately so they can set their price accordingly. It gives them access to detailed information about the original equipment installed on the vehicle which helps them answer questions prospective buyers may have about it. Additionally, it helps sellers verify that all recalls have been completed on the vehicle or if any other service work is required before selling it.

Insurers: Insurers use Ford VIN decoders to assess risk factors when calculating insurance premiums for vehicles. They use these details to determine how much coverage is needed and how much should be charged as a premium based on what they could find. The more accurate information they have about a vehicle, the better rate they can offer customers who own these cars.

Law Enforcement: Law enforcement uses Ford VIN decoders for several reasons including verifying ownership of a stolen vehicle or helping identify vehicles involved in crimes. The Ford VIN number is unique to each individual car and helps law enforcement quickly locate records related to its ownership, making it easier to track down suspects or even recover stolen property quickly and efficiently.

Online Ford VIN Decoder Sources

VIN decoders gather info from different sources to give you a complete view of a vehicle. They pull together details on specs, history, and current condition.

Here’s where they get their info:

• • NHTSA: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a database with details on recalls, safety ratings, and manufacturer info. VIN decoders use this to show a vehicle’s safety history.
  • DMV Databases: State Departments of Motor Vehicles keep records on vehicle registrations, titles, and sometimes recall information.
  • Car manufacturers keep a ton of info about their vehicles, like specs and production details. VIN decoders use this data to give you the lowdown on a specific car.
  • Dealerships have detailed info too, including service history and warranty coverage. Some VIN lookup tools can even pull the latest service records and updates from dealership databases.
  • Insurance companies might provide details on claims and accidents, which helps piece together a car’s history.
  • Auction houses and car sales platforms also offer insights, like auction records and condition reports, so you can see how the car has fared over time.

Other Resources for Ford Owners and Enthusiasts

Free Ford VIN Check
Ford Recall Check