Vehicle Identification Number

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a seventeen-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted on the instrument panel, top upper left of the dash. The VIN number is also found on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label.







The first three Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer code.
- 3FA - Ford Motor Company, Mexico, passenger car
- 1FA - Ford Motor Company, USA, passenger car
- 1FD - Ford Motor Company, USA, incomplete vehicle
- 1ME - Ford Motor Company (Mercury), USA, passenger car
- 1MH - Ford Motor Company (Mercury), USA, incomplete vehicle
- 1LN - Ford Motor Company (Lincoln), USA, passenger car
- 1LJ - Ford Motor Company (Lincoln), USA, incomplete vehicle
- 2FA - Ford Motor Company, Canada, passenger car
- 2FD - Ford Motor Company, Canada, incomplete car
- 2ME - Ford Motor Company (Mercury), Canada, passenger car
- 2MH - Ford Motor Company (Mercury), Canada, incomplete vehicle
- 3FE - Ford Motor Company, Mexico, incomplete vehicle
- 3ME - Ford Motor Company (Mercury), Mexico, passenger car







The fourth VIN position is the vehicle restraint system type code.
- B - Active safety belts - front and rear (Mexico only)
- L - Active safety belts - all positions, driver and passenger air bags
- C - Air bag, driver only (Lincoln)
- P - Passive safety belts (Lincoln)







Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
- P11 - Escort (Coupe 2-door)
- P10 - Escort (Base 4-door)
- P13 - Escort (LX 4-door)
- P15 - Escort (LX station wagon)
- M10 - Tracer (GS 4-door)
- M13 - Tracer (LS 4-door)
- M15 - Tracer (LS station wagon)
- M81 - Lincoln (Town Car Executive Series)
- M82 - Lincoln (Town Car Signature Series)
- M83 - Lincoln (Town Car Designer Series)
- M84 - Lincoln (Town Car LTS Version)
- M91 - Lincoln (Mark VIII)
- M92 - Lincoln (Mark VIII LSC Series)
- M97 - Lincoln (Continental 4-door)







The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders code.
- 3 - 2.0L EFI DOHC ZETEC four cylinder (Escort)
- P - 2.0L S.P.I. 2000 four cylinder (Escort/Tracer)
- W - 4.6L EFI eight cylinder (Town Car)
- V - 4.6L EFI eight cylinder (Mark VIII, Continental)







The ninth VIN position is the check digit code (0-9).







The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
- W - 1998







The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
- R - Hermosillo (Mexico)
- W - Wayne, Michigan (USA)
- Y - Wixom, Michigan (USA)







The last six VIN positions are the production sequence number.
- Ford - 100001
- Lincoln/Mercury - 600001