Free 1988 Ford Taurus VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Ford Taurus VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Ford Taurus VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or three-digit sequences that automotive manufacturers use to identify the make and country of origin of their vehicles. For the 1988 Ford Taurus, the WMI “1FA” signifies that the vehicle was produced by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, offering a standardized method to track vehicles on a global scale. Through the WMI, one can determine not only the manufacturer and country of manufacture but also gain insights into the vehicle’s type, such as it being a passenger car. This coding system plays a crucial role in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall operations around the world.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Ford Taurus

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1987-2019
• Example VIN: 1FABP50U2JA215997
• 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 1988 Ford Taurus 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 1988 Ford Taurus:

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 1988 Ford Taurus 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 1988 Ford Taurus VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Ford Taurus VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Ford Taurus Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Ford Taurus

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Ford Taurus’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Taurus’s VIN below:

What info can a 1988 Ford Taurus VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it may be from around 1988, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s age and market value.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may contain basic specifications like the make and model being Ford Taurus, along with the engine type being V-shaped with a 3.0-liter displacement.
• Fuel Type: The VIN provides hints about the fuel type, possibly indicating the vehicle’s fuel usage and efficiency, with the fuel type noted as Gasoline.
• Safety Features: The VIN may include details about safety features, such as noting the type of seat belts as Manual, possibly indicating standard safety measures for the model at the time of manufacture.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN might offer specifics about the engine, including horsepower, cylinder count, and fuel injection type, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN can specify the vehicle’s manufacturing location, potentially indicating that it was manufactured in the United States, with further details including the city of manufacture, such as Atlanta, Georgia, offering insight into its production origin.
• Body Class and Size: It can describe the body class, possibly indicating a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering a hint about the vehicle’s size and type suitable for passenger use.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Ford Taurus

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