Vehicle Identification Codes
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.
Vehicle Identification Number
The first three Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer code.
1FM - Ford Motor Company, USA, multi-purpose vehicle
1FT - Ford Motor Company, USA, truck, completed vehicle
1FD - Ford Motor Company, USA, incomplete vehicle
1FC - Ford Motor Company, USA, basic (stripped) chassis
1FB - Ford Motor Company, USA, bus
1FF - Ford Motor Company, USA, motor vehicle equipment without engine/powertrain (Glider)
1MH - Mercury, USA, incomplete vehicle
2FM - Ford Motor Company, Canada, multi-purpose vehicle
2FT - Ford Motor Company, Canada, truck, completed vehicle
2FD - Ford Motor Company. Canada, incomplete vehicle
2FC - Ford Motor Company, Canada, basic (stripped) chassis
2FB - Ford Motor Company, Canada, bus
2FF - Ford Motor Company, Canada, motor vehicle equipment without engine/powertrain (Glider)
2MH - Mercury, Canada, incomplete vehicle
3FB - Ford Motor Company, Mexico, bus
3FC - Ford Motor Company, Mexico, basic (stripped) chassis
3FE - Ford Motor Company, Mexico, incomplete vehicle
3FM - Ford Motor Company, Mexico. multi-purpose vehicle
3FT - Ford Motor Company, Mexico, truck completed vehicle
4M2 - Mercury, USA, multi-purpose vehicle
4M3 - Mercury, USA, incomplete vehicle
4M4 - Mercury, USA, truck, completed vehicle
The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and CVW code (all vehicles use hydraulic brakes).
A - 0-3000 Pounds
B - 3,001-4,000 Pounds
C - 4,001-5,000 Pounds
D - 5,001-6,000 Pounds
E - 6,001-7,000 Pounds
F - 7,001-8,000 Pounds
G - 8,001-8,500 Pounds
H - 8,501-9,000 Pounds
J - 9,001-10,000 Pounds
K - 10,001-14,000 Pounds
L - 14,001-16,000 Pounds
M - 16,001-19,500 Pounds
Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
E11 - Econoline Club Wagon
E31 - Econoline Club Wagon (Heavy Duty)
S31 - Econoline Club Wagon (Super Club Wagon)
E14 - Econoline E-150 (Cargo Van)
E24 - Econoline E-250 (Cargo Van)
E27 - Econoline E-250 (Commercial Cutaway)
E29 - Econoline E-250 (Commercial Basic)
E30 - Econoline E-350 (RV Cutaway)
E34 - Econoline E-350 (Cargo Van)
E37 - Econoline E-350 (Commercial Cutaway)
E39 - Econoline E-350 (Commercial Basic)
S24 - Econoline E-250 (Super Van)
S34 - Econoline E-350 (Super Van)
E40 - E-Super Duty (RV Cutaway)
E47 - E-Super Duty (Commercial Cutaway)
F07 - F-150 Flareside, 4x2
X07 - F-150 (SuperCab) Flareside, 4x2
F08 - F-150 Flareside, 4x4
X08 - F-150 (SuperCab) Flareside, 4x4
F17 - F-150 Styleside, 4x2
X17 - F-150 (SuperCab) Styleside, 4x2
F18 - F-150 Styleside, 4x4
X18 - F-150 (SuperCab) Styleside, 4x4
F27 - F-250 Styleside, 4x2
X27 - F-250 (SuperCab) Styleside, 4x2
F28 - F-250 Styleside, 4x4
X28 - F-250 (SuperCab) Styleside, 4x4
U22 - Explorer (2-door), 4x2
U32 - Explorer (4-door), 4x2
U24 - Explorer (2-door), 4x4
U34 - Explorer (4-door), 4x4
U35 - Explorer (4-door), AWD
U52 - Mountaineer (4-door) 4x2
U54 - Mountaineer (4-door) 4x4
U55 - Mountaineer (4-door) AWD
R10 - Ranger 4x2
R11 - Ranger 4x4
R14 - Ranger 4x2 (2-door SuperCab)
R15 - Ranger 4x4 (2-door SuperCab)
R18 - Ranger 4x2 (4-door SuperCab)
R19 - Ranger 4x4 (4-door SuperCab)
The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
6 - 4.6L EFI-SOHC (Windsor), eight cylinder (Econoline, F-150, F-250)
W - 4.6L EFI-SOHC, eight cylinder (F-150, F-250)
L - 5.4L EFI-SOHC, eight cylinder (Econoline, F-150, F-250)
S - 6.8L EFI-SOHC, ten cylinder (Econoline)
F - 7.3L Turbo-Diesel, eight cylinder (Econoline)
2 - 4.2L EFI-OHV, six cylinder (Econoline, F-150, F-250)
Z - 5.4L SOHC, gaseous fuel prep, eight cylinder (Econoline, F-150, F-250)
M - 5.4L SOHC natural gas, eight cylinder (Econoline, F-150, F-250)
X - 4.0L EFI-OHV, six cylinder (Explorer, Ranger)
E - 4.0L EFI-SOHC, six cylinder (Explorer, Mountaineer)
P - 5.0L EFI, eight cylinder (Explorer/Mountaineer)
B - 2.5L OHV-DI diesel, four cylinder (Ranger)
C - 2.5L EFI-SOHC, four cylinder (Ranger)
U - 3.0L, six cylinder (Ranger)
The ninth VIN position is a check digit.
The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
W - 1998
The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
L - Michigan Truck (Wayne, Michigan)
S - Allen Park (Allen Park, Michigan)
H - Lorain (Lorain, Ohio)
C - Ontario Truck (Oakville, Ontario)
E - Kentucky Truck (Jefferson County, Kentucky)
K - Kansas City (Claycomo, Missouri)
N - Norfolk (Norfolk, Virginia)
U - Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky)
Z - St. Louis (Hazlewood, Missouri)
P - Twin Cities (St. Paul, Minnesota)
T - Edison (Edison, New Jersey)
The last six VIN positions are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number.
A00001-E99999 - Ford Division
J00001-L99999 - Lincoln-Mercury Division
A seventeen-digit combination of numbers and letters forms the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is stamped on a metal plate that is riveted to the instrument panel close to the windshield. The VIN is viewable by looking through the front windshield on the driver side. The VIN is also found on the certification label.
By looking at the seventeen-digit VIN, a variety of information about the vehicle can be determined.
- The first three digits identify the manufacturer and the vehicle make and type.
- The fourth digit determines the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR-Class) and brake system for Ford-completed trucks and Multi-purpose Vehicles (MPVs). For incomplete vehicles, the fourth digit determines the brake system only.
- Digits five, six, and seven identify the model or line, series, chassis, and body type.
- The eighth digit points out the particular engine found in the vehicle.
- Digit nine is a check digit.
- The tenth digit identifies the model year.
- The eleventh digit identifies the assembly plant.
- Digits twelve through seventeen make up the sequence and warranty number. Digit twelve uses the letter "A" until the production or sequence of 99,999 units (digits thirteen through seventeen) is reached. Letter A then becomes B for the next production sequence of vehicles.
Refer to the code definition portion for specific definitions of the numbers and letters of the VIN.