Free Ford Contour VIN Decoder

How to decode a Ford Contour VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Ford Contour VIN

WMIs, or World Manufacturer Identifiers, are unique three-character sequences that denote the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide insight into its origin. For instance, Ford Contour vehicles manufactured between 1995 and 2000 bear two distinct WMIs, signifying their manufacturing locations. The WMI 1FA indicates Ford Contours that were produced by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, USA, while the 3FA WMI is assigned to those made by Ford in Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico. These identifiers not only reveal the manufacturing company but also specify the country, state, or province, and sometimes the city of origin, offering a valuable reference for vehicle identification and registration purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a Ford Contour

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-2000
• Example VIN: 1FALP65L3SK215173
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3FA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-1996, 1998-2000
• Example VIN: 3FALP663XSM138860
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Rioverde
• State or Province: S.L.P.
• Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Contour 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 Ford Contour:

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 Ford Contour 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 Ford Contour VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Ford Contour VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Ford Contour Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Contour

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

What info can a Ford Contour VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it was manufactured in 1997, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Plant Location: The vehicle was assembled in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, showcasing where its production took place, potentially influencing its heritage and production standards.
• Vehicle Specifications: This sedan/saloon is a Ford Contour LX Sport model, equipped with a 2.5L V-Shaped engine producing 170 hp, emphasizing its potential performance capabilities.
• Engine Details: It features a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train and Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), which are possibly key factors in its efficiency and power output, contributing to its overall performance.
• Fuel Type: This car runs on gasoline, a detail that can help determine fuel compatibility and possibly its economy, contributing to potential cost considerations.
• Safety Features: Equipped with front airbags for both the driver and passenger and manual seat belts, potentially ensuring crucial safety measures are met in the event of an accident.
• Body Class and Size: Classified as a sedan/saloon with 4 doors, providing a general idea of its size and capacity for potential users, possibly influencing its practicality for various needs.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Contour