Vehicle Identification Number

IDENTIFICATION CODES

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Locator:

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted to the instrument panel top, upper left of the dash. The VIN is also found on the vehicle certification (VC) label.

World Manufacturer Identifier:

The first 3 VIN positions are the world manufacturer code.
- 1FA - Ford Motor Company, USA, passenger car
- 1ME - Mercury, USA, passenger car

Restraint Type:

The fourth VIN position is the vehicle restraint-type code.
- F - Active safety belts - all positions, driver and front passenger air bags
- H - Active safety belts - all positions, driver and front passenger air bags with driver and front passenger side impact protection

Vehicle Line, Series And Body Type:

Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
- M40 - Mercury Montego, FWD, Luxury
- M41 - Mercury Montego, AWD, Luxury
- M42 - Mercury Montego, FWD, Premier
- M43 - Mercury Montego, AWD, Premier
- P23 - Ford Five Hundred, FWD, SE
- P24 - Ford Five Hundred, FWD, SEL
- P25 - Ford Five Hundred, FWD, Limited
- P26 - Ford Five Hundred, AWD, SE
- P27 - Ford Five Hundred, AWD, SEL
- P28 - Ford Five Hundred, AWD, Limited

Engine Type:

The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
- 1 - 3.0L, 4V, EFI, V6

Check Digit:

The ninth VIN position is a government-assigned, computer-generated check digit.

Model Year:

The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
- 6 - 2006

Assembly Plant:

The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
- G - Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)

Production Sequence Number:

The last 6 VIN positions are a numeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number.
- 100001-599999 - Ford
- 600001-999999 - Mercury