Free 2017 Buick Encore VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2017 Buick Encore VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2017 Buick Encore VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that helps identify key information about a vehicle including its manufacturer, the type of vehicle it is, and the place of manufacture. For the 2017 Buick Encore, the WMI is “KL4”, which designates General Motors LLC as the manufacturer. This particular code classifies the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), revealing its design for a variety of passenger and cargo transportation purposes. The code also indicates that this model was assembled in Warren, Michigan, United States. WMIs are essential for automotive industry standards, allowing for clear identification and tracking of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2017 Buick Encore

WMI: KL4

• Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
• Example VIN: KL4CJDSM0HB047105
• 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 2017 Buick Encore 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 2017 Buick Encore:

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 2017 Buick Encore 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 2017 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2017 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2017 Buick Encore Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 Buick Encore

The final 6 characters in a 2017 Buick Encore’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2017 Buick Encore VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it may be a 2017 Encore model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), possibly indicating a versatile design and intended use.
• Engine Type: Information about the engine includes it possibly being a 1.4 liter, 4-cylinder model from GMNA, with possible features like Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing, offering possible clues about its performance and efficiency.
• Safety Features: A range of standard safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Crash Notification (ACN), and Curtain Airbags for all rows are encoded, indicating the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
• Transmission and Drive Type: The vehicle is possibly equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), providing potential insights into its driving dynamics and fuel efficiency.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type is Gasoline, which may be crucial for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN encodes manufacturing specifics like the plant city being Bupyeong, South Korea, from GM Korea, which could be vital for tracing the vehicle’s origin and build quality.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 Buick Encore