Free 2018 Ford Explorer VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2018 Ford Explorer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Ford Explorer VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle globally. For the 2018 Ford Explorer, the WMI “1FM” denotes a vehicle made by Ford Motor Company, specifically indicating it as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This code reveals that the vehicle was manufactured in Dearborn, Michigan, USA. The WMI is crucial for vehicle recognition worldwide, providing specific information like the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and production location. It plays a vital role in vehicle registration, recall processes, and in various legal contexts.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Ford Explorer

WMI: 1FM

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
• Example VIN: 1FM5K8AR0JGA05103
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 Ford Explorer 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 2018 Ford Explorer:

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 2018 Ford Explorer 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 2018 Ford Explorer VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2018 Ford Explorer VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Ford Explorer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Ford Explorer

The final 6 characters in a 2018 Ford Explorer’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Explorer’s VIN below:

What info can a 2018 Ford Explorer VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 2018, and the make, as identified as Ford. This fundamental information serves as a cornerstone for further details about the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: By decoding a VIN, one can uncover the type and class of the vehicle, exemplified by the Ford Explorer being categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
• Engine Details: Details about the vehicle’s engine are contained within the VIN, including engine model, displacement, and type of fuel system. For instance, the Ford Explorer has a 3.5L GTDI V-Shaped engine with Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) and runs on Gasoline.
• Safety Features: The VIN can detail the vehicle’s equipped safety features, which may include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), all noted as standard for this example, enhancing the overall safety profile of the vehicle.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Information about the drive type and transmission is also discernible from the VIN, indicating whether the vehicle has features like 4-wheel drive (4WD) and the type of transmission it uses, which for the Ford Explorer is an automatic transmission with 6 speeds.
• Advanced Technology Features: Modern vehicles come with various advanced technological features which can be identified through VIN decoding. Features such as keyless ignition, lane keeping assistance (LKA), and a backup camera are listed as standard for the described vehicle, showcasing the integration of convenience and safety.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Ford Explorer

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