Free 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Vehicle Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique alphanumeric codes assigned to car manufacturers to identify the brand, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, the WMI is “1G1,” indicating that the vehicle was made by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code, part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), plays a crucial role in identifying key characteristics of the vehicle, from its manufacturer to its model year and specific attributes. The Chevrolet Malibu’s WMI not only underscores its American manufacturing heritage but also aids in cataloging and recalling detailed vehicle information. Thus, WMIs are essential tools in vehicle tracking, registration, and law enforcement checks.

List of WMI Codes for a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1ZJ5SU0HF100652
• 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 2017 Chevrolet Malibu 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 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 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

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

What info can a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2017, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN decoding can provide specifics about its manufacturing, including the plant city (Kansas City), plant company name (Fairfax Assembly), and plant country (United States), offering insights into the vehicle’s production origin.
• Vehicle Type and Specifications: It typically includes identifying the vehicle as a Passenger Car, with specifics such as the model (Malibu) and series (Hybrid), pointing towards a blend of gasoline and electric fuel types.
• Engine and Performance: Engine details like a 1.8 L 4-cylinder engine from GME with technology such as Spark Ignited Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing can be decoded, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and efficiency. The vehicle’s top speed of 130 MPH is also noted.
• Safety Features: The VIN can provide insights into safety equipment, indicating that features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and various airbag locations (including all rows for curtain airbags) are standard, enhancing the vehicle’s safety features.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Information on available advanced technology, such as Automatic Crash Notification, Backup Camera, and Forward Collision Warning, may be standard or optional, reflecting the vehicle’s focus on safety and convenience.
• Fuel and Electrification Level: It can detail the primary and secondary fuel types as gasoline and electric, respectively, and specify the vehicle’s electrification level as a Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), pointing towards efficiency and performance metrics.
• Body Class and Dimensions: By decoding the VIN, one can learn the vehicle’s body class as Sedan/Saloon, along with dimensions such as wheelbase and wheel sizes, offering insights into the vehicle’s size and stance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

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