Free Chevrolet Malibu VIN Decoder

How to decode a Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Malibu VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a critical component of a vehicle’s unique identification number (VIN), typically constituting the first three characters. These characters uniquely identify the manufacturer of any given vehicle globally. For Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, the WMI of 1G1 and 2G1 indicate that they are manufactured by General Motors LLC, located in Warren, Michigan, United States. These particular WMIs cover model years from 1981 to 1983 and 1997 to 2024 for 1G1, and exclusively the year 1981 for 2G1, both denoting the vehicles as passenger cars. This identification system plays a pivotal role in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall processes.

List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1AW27K0BD484410
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 2G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981
• Example VIN: 2G1AW27J5B1444472
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet Malibu 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 2024 Chevrolet Malibu:

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 Chevrolet Malibu 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 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Malibu

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

What info can a Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, like the year 2018, and the make, possibly a Malibu, offering insights into the age and brand of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: It may detail engine specifications, including the type, such as an LFV - Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, GEN 1 engine with 4 cylinders and a displacement of 1.5 liters, providing insights into the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The VIN may reveal safety features, indicating if items like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Backup Camera, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are standard or optional, potentially offering insights into the safety equipment available.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is specified, possibly gasoline, which can provide an understanding of the vehicle’s refueling requirements.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Details about the vehicle’s drive type, such as Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), and the transmission type and speed, possibly Automatic with 6 speeds, are provided, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s handling and performance.
• Body Class and Size: It can disclose the vehicle’s body class, such as Sedan/Saloon, and include information on the number of doors, like 4, and wheels, such as 4, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Plant Information: The VIN may include manufacturing details, pinpointing the plant city, name, and country, for example, Kansas City, Fairfax assembly, and United States, respectively, providing insights into the vehicle’s production location.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Malibu