Vehicle Identification Number

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The official VIN for title and registration purposes is stamped on a metal plate and fastened to the instrument panel close to the windshield glass on the left-hand side of the vehicle and is visible from the outside.

The vehicle identification number is also located on the vehicle certification label.







Vehicle Identification Number (Typical)







World Manufacture Identifier

Restraint System Type
VIN Position 4
VIN Code - Description
A - Active Belt (Driver) and Passive Belts (Passenger) and Driver Air Bag
B - Active Belts (All positions)
C - Active Belts (All positions) and Driver Air Bag
L - Active Belt (All positions) and Air Bags (Driver and Passenger)
P - Passive Belts (Front/Active Belts (Rear)
R - Passive Belts (Driver, Passenger) and Driver Air Bag
S - Passive Belts (Driver, Passenger) and Air Bag (Driver, Passenger)

Manufacturer Specification
VIN Position 5
Code - Vehicle
M - Passenger Car (Lincoln, Mercury, North American Vehicles)
P - Passenger Car (Ford North American Vehicles)
T - Passenger Car All passenger cars imported from outside North America or Non-Ford built passenger car marketed by Ford in North America







Line, Series, Body Type







Engine Type

Check Digit
VIN Position 9 is a check digit.

Vehicle Model Year
VIN Position 10
VIN Code Year
V 1997
W 1998

Assembly Plant
VIN Position 11
VIN Code - Plant Location
A - Atlanta: Hapeville, Georgia
B - Oakville: Oakville, Ontario
D - Ohio: Avon Lake, Ohio
F - Dearborn: Dearborn, Michigan
G - Chicago: Chicago, Illinois
H - Lorain Lorain, Ohio
J - IMMSA: Monterrey, Mexico
K - Kansas City: Cloycomo, Missouri
N - Norfolk: Norfolk, Virginia
P - Twin Cities: St. Paul, Minnesota
R - Hermosillo: Hermosillo, Mexico
T - Edison: Edison, New Jersey
U - Louisville: Louisville, Kentucky
W - Wayne: Wayne, Michigan
X - St. Thomas: Talbotville, Ontario
Y - Wixom: Wixom, Michigan
Z - St Louis: Hazlewood, Missouri
5 - AAI: Flat Rock, Michigan
6 - Mazda-Kia: Kyrung Ki-Do, Korea

Production Sequence Number
VIN Position 12 through 17
Sequence Number
100,001 through 599,999 - Ford Division Vehicles
600,001 through 999,999 - Lincoln and Mercury Division Vehicles