Free 1996 Jeep Cherokee VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Jeep Cherokee VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Jeep Cherokee VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes used globally to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. The WMI for a 1996 Jeep Cherokee, as an example, begins with “1J4,” indicating it was produced by FCA US LLC, a major automotive company based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. This specific code classifies the vehicle as a multipurpose passenger vehicle, manufactured within the model years spanning from 1989 to 2001, and then again in 2010 to 2011. The significance of this information is that it provides a standardized method for identifying the origin, type, and manufacturing details of vehicles, facilitating international recognition and regulation compliance. Thus, for anyone researching a 1996 Jeep Cherokee, the WMI reveals essential details about its manufacturing lineage and vehicle classification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Jeep Cherokee

WMI: 1J4

• Model Years Covered: 1989-2001, 2010-2011
• Example VIN: 1J4FT27S1TL263681
• Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Auburn Hills
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Jeep Cherokee 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 Jeep Cherokee:

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 Jeep Cherokee 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 Jeep Cherokee VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Jeep Cherokee VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Jeep Cherokee Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Jeep Cherokee

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

What info can a 1996 Jeep Cherokee VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may indicate the vehicles model year, possibly suggesting the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN could reveal the vehicle as potentially being a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering insights into the general type and body style of the vehicle.
• Engine Details: The VIN may encode the engine specifications, such as an In-Line 4 cylinder engine with a displacement of around 2.5 liters and equipped with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI).
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type that the vehicle operates on, such as Gasoline, might be discernible from the VIN.
• Drive Type: Information about the drive type, including whether the vehicle is 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, could possibly be specified in the VIN.
• Manufacturing Information: VINs may typically include where the vehicle was manufactured, such as Toledo, Ohio, United States, by the Toledo Assembly # 1, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Safety and Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decoding could provide specifications like the brake system type being Hydraulic, steering location as Left-Hand Drive (LHD), and the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which might fall within Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), offering insights into the vehicle’s design and safety features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Jeep Cherokee

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