- Characters 1-3 of a Buick VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Buick
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Buick VIN.
- 10th Character in the Buick VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Buick VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Buick Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick
- How to find a Buick's VIN?
- What info can a Buick VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick
How to decode a Buick VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Buick VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-character codes allocated to car manufacturers to identify the make and origin of their vehicles. For Buick, a brand under General Motors LLC based in Warren, Michigan, USA, several WMIs have been assigned over different periods, highlighting various models and types. Vehicles with the WMI code starting with 2G4 and 1G4, for example, are recognized as Buick passenger cars produced in years ranging from 1981 to 2017. The WMI 3G4 denotes Buick passenger cars manufactured in the early ’90s, specifically from 1990 to 1991 and 1993 to 1994. Such distinctions help in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, type, and production location, offering valuable information for regulatory, service, and manufacturing purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a Buick
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G4 | General Motors LLC | Passenger Car | Warren | Michigan | United States | 1988-2009, 2011-2017 | 2G4WJ532551254053 |
| W04 | Adam Opel AG | Passenger Car | Russelsheim | Germany | 2011, 2016-2020 | W04WV3N50GG051639 | |
| 1G4 | General Motors LLC | Passenger Car | Warren | Michigan | United States | 1981-2019 | 1G4AL19E8E6495127 |
| 3G4 | General Motors LLC | Passenger Car | Warren | Michigan | United States | 1990-1991, 1993-1994 | 3G4AL54N0LS600458 |
| 5GA | General Motors LLC | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Warren | Michigan | United States | 2004-2024 | 5GAER137781225095 |
| KL4 | General Motors LLC | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Warren | Michigan | United States | 2013-2024 | KL4CJCSB0DB019579 |
| LRB | General Motors LLC | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Warren | Michigan | United States | 2016-2023 | LRBCJASB1KY003717 |
| 3G5 | General Motors LLC | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Warren | Michigan | United States | 2002-2007 | 3G5DA03E02S506520 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a Buick:
| 100 Most Common VDS for a Buick | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WJ532 | WF532 | WF582 | WH587 | WJ582 | WV3N5 | WT3N5 | WJ3N5 | WG3N5 | WH3N5 |
| AL19E | AH273 | AH51R | AL51W | AL51R | AL513 | AH51N | AL51N | AH54N | AL54N |
| AH54R | AG54N | AG55N | AH55N | AH85N | AL55N | AG55M | AG554 | AG85M | AH55M |
| WY52M | WS52M | WS52J | WY55J | WS55J | AH84N | AW69Y | AX37Y | AV35Y | AX69Y |
| AU69Y | CW69B | CW513 | BV81Y | CW51C | CW54C | CX54C | CU54C | ER137 | EV137 |
| EV237 | ER237 | ER13D | EV23D | ER23D | EV13D | LVAED | LVBED | LRBED | LRCED |
| LVCED | LRAED | KRCED | KVAED | KRAED | KVCED | KRBED | KVBED | KRDED | KVDED |
| KRDKD | KVDKD | KVCKD | KRBKD | KVBKD | KRCKD | KRAKD | KVAKD | ERAKW | EVBKW |
| ERDKW | ERCKW | EVCKW | EVAKW | ERBKW | CJCSB | CJDSB | CJFSB | CJGSB | CJBSB |
| CJASB | CJHSB | CJESB | CJ2SM | CJFSM | CJHSM | CJ1SM | CJDSM | CJGSM | CJ1SB |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Buick VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Buick VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 |
| P | 2023 |
| N | 2022 |
| M | 2021 |
| L | 2020 |
| K | 2019 |
| J | 2018 |
| H | 2017 |
| G | 2016 |
| F | 2015 |
| E | 2014 |
| D | 2013 |
| C | 2012 |
| B | 2011 |
| A | 2010 |
| 9 | 2009 |
| 8 | 2008 |
| 7 | 2007 |
| 6 | 2006 |
| 5 | 2005 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 3 | 2003 |
| 2 | 2002 |
| 1 | 2001 |
| Y | 2000 |
| X | 1999 |
| W | 1998 |
| V | 1997 |
| T | 1996 |
| S | 1995 |
| R | 1994 |
| P | 1993 |
| N | 1992 |
| M | 1991 |
| L | 1990 |
| K | 1989 |
| J | 1988 |
| H | 1987 |
| G | 1986 |
| F | 1985 |
| E | 1984 |
| D | 1983 |
| C | 1982 |
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the Buick VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Buick Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshawa #2 | Ontario | Canada | 2G4WJ532551254053 | |
| 2 | Ste. Therese | Quebec | Canada | Na-Gm Corp | 3G4AG55M5R2601432 |
| 4 | Orion | Michigan | United States | Na-Gm Corp | 1G4HP54K0Y4111347 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | Kentucky | United States | Na-Gm Corp | 1G4HR54K055U28349 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | United States | 1G4AL19E8E6495127 | |
| 9 | Oshawa #1 (Osh) | Ontario | Canada | Gmna | 2G4GR5EC0B9173378 |
| A | Lakewood Heights | Georgia | United States | Lakewood Assembly | 1G4BV81Y7JA404952 |
| B | Bupyeong | South Korea | Gm Korea | KL4CJCSB0DB019579 | |
| C | Lansing - South Plant | Michigan | United States | Na-Lad | 1G4NM54N7NC626286 |
| D | Doraville | Georgia | United States | Na-Mcd | 1G4AH2731GD479956 |
| E | Linden | New Jersey | United States | 1G4AZ57N0BE431643 | |
| F | Kansas City | Kansas | United States | Fairfax Ii | 1G4GL5EG0AF258392 |
| G | Gliwice | Voivodeship | Poland | Gm Europe | W04WV3N50GG051639 |
| H | Flint | Michigan | United States | 1G4AW69Y8CH469370 | |
| J | Lansing | Michigan | United States | Lansing Delta Township | 5GAEV13708J109183 |
| K | Kansas City | Missouri | United States | Leeds Assembly | 1G4AM47A1BK157215 |
| M | Lansing - North Plant | Michigan | United States | Na-Lad (Oldsmobile) | 1G4NJ14U8JM000968 |
| P | Pontiac | Michigan | United States | Pontiac Assembly | 1G4GJ47A6FP422061 |
| R | Arlington | Texas | United States | 1G4AM47A7DR416414 | |
| S | Ramos Arizpe | Mexico | 3G4AL54N0LS600458 | ||
| T | Sleepy Hollow | New York | United States | Tarrytown Assembly | 1G4AH51R2HT435888 |
| U | Detroit Hamtramck | Michigan | United States | Gmna | 1G4ZS5SS0HU120670 |
| W | Ypsilanti Twp | Michigan | United States | Willow Run Assembly | 1G4BR83E1MW404671 |
| X | Kansas City | Kansas | United States | Fairfax Assembly | 1G4AV35Y1DX475123 |
| Y | Yantai | Shandong | China | Dong Yue South | LRBCJASB1KY003717 |
| Z | Fremont | California | United States | 1G4AM47A4BZ140268 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick
The final 6 characters in a Buick’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Buick’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Buick is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower left corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel in your Buick. This is visible through the windshield on a metal or plastic plate.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Buick. The VIN can typically be found on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches when closed.
- Check the insurance or registration card for your Buick. The VIN should be printed on any legal or official document related to the vehicle.
- Search under the hood of your Buick. VINs are often found on a metal plate attached to the engine block or other components.
- Review the vehicle’s manual or maintenance records. Many times, the VIN is recorded in documents pertaining to the car’s service history.
What info can a Buick VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN could possibly provide insights into the vehicle’s model year, such as 2018, potentially offering an understanding of the vehicle’s age and historical value.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: It may indicate the type of vehicle as a Passenger Car, possibly with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, revealing information about the vehicle’s design and purpose.
- Engine Specifications: Engine details, including a V-Shaped configuration, a displacement of 3.6 liters (or 3600.0 CC), and features like Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing, might offer insights into the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: Information about safety features may be encoded, potentially indicating the presence of standard safety technologies such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Crash Notification, and Front Air Bag Locations in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, suggesting a focus on safety.
- Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN might reveal the drive type, such as AWD/All-Wheel Drive for improved handling and traction, along with potential transmission details like an automatic style with 6 speeds, hinting at both vehicle performance and driving experience.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency Features: By decoding a VIN, one might learn about the vehicle’s primary fuel type, possibly Gasoline for this model, along with features aimed at enhancing fuel efficiency such as the Engine Model LGX’s Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing.
- Advanced Technology and Comfort Features: The presence of advanced features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) could potentially be decoded from the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s technological capabilities and comfort offerings.
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Decode a Buick VIN
Don’t have your Buick’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Rear park assist: Standard; Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 38670.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Optional |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 3600.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 219.68547874103 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.6 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Model | LGX - Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN 2 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | LaCrosse |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Optional |
| Plant City | Detroit Hamtramck |
| Plant Company Name | GMNA |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Premium AWD Group |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 130 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4ZS5SS*JU |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 114.40 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Windows | 4 |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4ZS5SS0JU105754 |
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