Free 1997 Ford Escort VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Ford Escort VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Ford Escort VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an essential component of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), serving as a unique code to identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For example, the 1997 Ford Escort manufactured in the United States carries a WMI that begins with “1FA”, indicating it was produced by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. In contrast, a 1997 Ford Escort made in Mexico would start with “3FA”, showing it was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico. This coding system provides crucial information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and sometimes even the type of vehicle. The WMI is an international standard used across the automotive industry to ensure consistency and clarity in vehicle identification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Ford Escort

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986, 1988-1999
• Example VIN: 1FALP15P0VW179851
• 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: 3FALP15P0VR103016
• 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 Ford Escort VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Ford Escort VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Ford Escort

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Ford Escort’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Ford Escort VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, which in this case, indicates a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors for the 1997 Ford, providing a general idea of the vehicle’s body style and access points.
• Drive Type: While not explicitly mentioned, the drive type can also be identified from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Engine Type: The VIN decodes the vehicle as being equipped with a 2.0L In-Line 4-cylinder engine manufactured by Ford, highlighting its engine layout, displacement, and power output.
• Fuel Efficiency: While not directly provided, the type of fuel the vehicle utilizes, Gasoline, can offer indications of its fuel efficiency and operating costs.
• Safety Features: The VIN specifies key safety features, such as the location of front airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, emphasizing the vehicle’s equipped safety measures.
• Manufacturing Information: The production plant’s location in Wayne, Michigan, United States, is identified from the VIN, providing context on where the vehicle was assembled.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Ford Escort

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