FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Vehicle Identification Number

IDENTIFICATION CODES







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 number is also found on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label.

Vehicle Identification Number


World Manufacturer Identifier:






The first three vehicle identification number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer code.
^ 1FA - Ford Motor Company - USA, passenger car


Vehicle Restraint Type:






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


Line And Series:






Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line and series.
^ P60 - Thunderbird - 2-door convertible
^ P64 - Thunderbird - 2-door convertible, feature car


Engine Code:






The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders code.
^ A - 3.9L, eight cylinder, DOHC, EFI


Check Digit:






The ninth VIN position is a computer generated check digit code (0-9).


Model Year:






The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
^ 2 - 2002


Assembly Plant:






The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
^ Y - Wixom, Michigan (USA)


Production Sequence Number:






The last six VIN positions are the production sequence number. This set of numbers is also used as the vehicle serial and warranty number.
^ Ford Motor Company - Begins with 100000