- Characters 1-3 of a Buick Encore GX VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Buick Encore GX
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick Encore GX VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Buick Encore GX VIN.
- 10th Character in the Buick Encore GX VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Buick Encore GX VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Buick Encore GX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Encore GX
- How to find a Buick Encore GX's VIN?
- What info can a Buick Encore GX VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Encore GX
How to decode a Buick Encore GX VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Buick Encore GX VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier, commonly known as the WMI, is the initial sequence of three alphanumeric characters in a vehicle’s unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This component of the VIN is crucial as it reveals the vehicle manufacturer’s identity and is assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to ensure that each manufacturer has a distinct code. For a Buick Encore GX, the WMI is ‘KL4’, which indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC. Specifically, vehicles carrying this WMI are typically assembled in facilities located in South Korea and the United States. The WMI is an integral part of vehicle identification, which helps in tracking recalls, registrations, warranty claims, and thefts.
List of WMI Codes for a Buick Encore GX
WMI: KL4
- Model Years Covered: 2020-2024
- Example VIN: KL4MMFS20LB089479
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick Encore GX VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Buick Encore GX:
| Known VDS for a Buick Encore GX | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMFS2 | MMDS2 | MMBS2 | MMDSL | MMGSL | MMESL | MMFSL | MMCSL | AMBSL | AMDSL |
| AMBS2 | AMESL | AMGSL | AMFSL | AMCSL | |||||
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 Encore GX 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 Encore GX VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Buick Encore GX |
| P | 2023 Buick Encore GX |
| N | 2022 Buick Encore GX |
| M | 2021 Buick Encore GX |
| L | 2020 Buick Encore GX |
11th Character in the Buick Encore GX VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Buick Encore GX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Bupyeong | South Korea | KL4MMFS20LB089479 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Encore GX
The final 6 characters in a Buick Encore GX’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 Encore GX’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Buick Encore GX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look for the VIN on the lower driver-side corner of the dashboard in your Buick Encore GX, where it can be seen through the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side doorjamb for a label when you open the door to your Buick Encore GX, as the VIN is often displayed there.
- On your Buick Encore GX, inspect your vehicle registration documents, where the VIN will typically be printed.
- Check the insurance card or policy for your Buick Encore GX, as the VIN is frequently found on these documents.
- If your Buick Encore GX has a maintenance record book, look inside as the VIN might be recorded there by the service center.
- For some Buick Encore GX models, the VIN may also be found under the hood at the front of the engine block.
- Review the spare tire well area of your Buick Encore GX, as some manufacturers place the VIN sticker in that location.
What info can a Buick Encore GX VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the Buick Encore GX’s specific model year, offering insights into its age and potential updates or changes that may have been made.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN provides information about the manufacturing location of the Buick Encore GX, potentially indicating where it was assembled and the quality standards of that facility.
- Body Class: Through the VIN, you can identify the body class of the Buick Encore GX, aiding in understanding its design and intended use, such as a sport utility vehicle or multipurpose passenger vehicle.
- Safety Features: The VIN can provide data about the safety features included in the Buick Encore GX, offering indications of the level of protection offered, including airbag locations and restraint system types.
Don’t have your Buick Encore GX’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Encore GX
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1300.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 79.33086732315 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.3 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Model | L3T - L3, SIDI, VVT, ALUM |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 3 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Encore GX |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | AYF - Active Manual Belts |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Bupyeong |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | South Korea |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Essence |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | KL4MMGSL*MB |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 102.20 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample_VIN | KL4MMGSL0MB036653 |
Decode a Buick VIN
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