Free 1996 Ford Mustang VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Ford Mustang VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Mustang VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of characters in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that indicates the manufacturer and region where the vehicle was produced. The WMI for a 1996 Ford Mustang, for example, begins with “1FA,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Michigan. These characters are essential for identifying the vehicle’s make and origin, serving as a unique fingerprint that distinguishes each vehicle manufacturer globally. Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan facility is well known for producing passenger cars like the Mustang, a detail encapsulated within the WMI. Understanding a WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall notices, ensuring each car is traceable back to its manufacturer.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Mustang

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2004, 2015-2024
• Example VIN: 1FALP4040TF120729
• 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 Mustang 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 Mustang:

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 Mustang 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 Mustang VIN — Year Code

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

Known 1996 Ford Mustang Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Mustang

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

What info can a 1996 Ford Mustang VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may encode basic Ford Mustang model information, including engine details like a V-shaped, 4.6L engine with a horsepower range of 260 to 305.
• Body Type and Size: The VIN can provide insights into the body type and size, indicating a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Safety Features: Safety features such as front airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, and seat belts described as active with 3-point belts in all outboard positions, can be inferred from the VIN, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is specified as Gasoline, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN details engine specifications including displacement (4604.764984 CC or 281 CI or 4.6 L), engine configuration (V-Shaped), the number of cylinders (8), and other engine information like Electronic Fuel Injection, which can offer insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
• Manufacturing Information: Information about the manufacturing, such as the plant city (Dearborn), plant country (United States), and plant state (Michigan), is provided within the VIN, potentially providing insights into the vehicle’s production and origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Mustang