Free 1996 Ford Contour VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Ford Contour VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Contour VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle worldwide. For the 1996 Ford Contour, the WMI indicates that it was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in Mexico, specifically in Rioverde, S.L.P. This code, beginning with “3FA,” reveals crucial information about the vehicle’s origin, including the country, manufacturer name, and the specific type of vehicle, which in this case is a Passenger Car. The WMI is a vital component of a vehicle identification number (VIN), serving as a global standard for classifying vehicles. It provides a standardized way to describe and identify vehicles produced by different manufacturers around the world.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Contour

WMI: 3FA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-1996, 1998-2000
• Example VIN: 3FALP6535TM129390
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Rioverde
• State or Province: S.L.P.
• Country: Mexico

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-2000
• Example VIN: 1FALP65L7TK230129
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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 1996 Ford Contour VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Ford Contour VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Ford Contour Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Contour

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford Contour’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Contour’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1996 Ford Contour VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can specify that the vehicle is a Passenger Car with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, giving detailed insights into its design and structure.
• Engine Details: The VIN may provide specifications such as the engine manufacturer, engine configuration, and the number of cylinders. For example, it identifies an In-Line engine manufactured by Ford with 4 cylinders.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type a vehicle uses can be determined, with this specific example running on Gasoline.
• Safety Features: The VIN can indicate the presence and location of airbags, such as 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) front airbags.
• Production Location: Information regarding the manufacturing location, including the city, country, and sometimes the state, is often included. The Ford Contour example was manufactured in Cuautitlan, Mexico.
• Other Vehicle Specs: Additional detailed information, like displacement (in CC, CI, and L), horsepower, and specific seat belt types, can offer more comprehensive insights into a vehicle’s specifications.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Contour