Free Ford Escort VIN Decoder

How to decode a Ford Escort VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Ford Escort VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer, the vehicle type, and the country of the manufacturer. For example, Ford Escorts manufactured between 1984 and 1999 in Dearborn, Michigan, USA, were assigned the WMI 1FA, indicating they are passenger cars produced by Ford Motor Company in the United States. Similarly, Ford Escorts made from 1991 to 2002 in Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico, carry the WMI 3FA, highlighting their production in Mexico by Ford Motor Company as passenger vehicles. These identifiers not only trace the vehicle’s manufacturing origin but also provide specific insights into the vehicle type and the exact plant where it was produced. This system of identification aids in tracking recalls, registrations, and the historical records of the vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a Ford Escort

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986, 1988-1999
• Example VIN: 1FABP05H6EW269682
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3FA

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2002
• Example VIN: 3FAPP10J3MR164279
• 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 Escort 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 Escort:

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 Escort 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 Escort VIN — Year Code

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

Known Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Escort

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

What info can a Ford Escort VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 1998 and providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN might indicate the body class as a Coupe with 2 doors, offering insight into the vehicle’s size, style, and overall design suitability for potential buyers or users’ needs.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN information possibly points to a 2.0L displacement, 130 horsepower, an In-Line engine configuration, and it being a product of Ford, providing potentially crucial engine details such as size, power, type, and manufacturer.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type could be Gasoline, which may indicate the vehicle’s environmental impact, fuel efficiency, and potentially the cost of operation to the owner.
• Safety Features: The presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, alongside manual seat belts and 3-point belts in all outboard positions, might highlight the vehicle’s equipped safety measures.
• Plant Details: Manufacturing specifics such as the plant city of Hermosillo in Sonora, Mexico, could give insight into the vehicle’s origin, potentially affecting perceptions of build quality, and can be a point of interest for enthusiasts or regional buyers.
• Vehicle Type and Series: Identifying the vehicle as a Passenger Car, possibly the Ford Escort ZX2 Sport trim, offers a comprehensive outlook on the vehicle’s purpose, market positioning, and variant, which can be crucial for identification, valuation, and comparison purposes.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Escort