Free Lincoln Navigator VIN Decoder

How to decode a Lincoln Navigator VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Lincoln Navigator VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. For the Lincoln Navigator, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, two such WMIs are in use: ‘5LM’ covering model years from 1998 to 2024, and ‘5L1’ for specific years within 2006, 2008, and 2009. These WMIs indicate that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), originating from Dearborn, Michigan, in the United States. The example VINs provided for these codes, such as ‘5LMPU28L0WLJ23004’ for WMI ‘5LM’, serve as unique identifiers for vehicles under the Lincoln Navigator line, further specifying each unit’s unique attributes. This system helps in accurately tracking, regulating, and recalling vehicles based on their manufacturing details.

List of WMI Codes for a Lincoln Navigator

WMI: 5LM

• Model Years Covered: 1998-2024
• Example VIN: 5LMPU28L0WLJ23004
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 5L1

• Model Years Covered: 2006, 2008-2009
• Example VIN: 5L1FU27596LJ09775
• 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 Lincoln Navigator 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 Lincoln Navigator:

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 Lincoln Navigator 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 Lincoln Navigator VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Lincoln Navigator VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Lincoln Navigator Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Lincoln Navigator

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

What info can a Lincoln Navigator VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2018, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Engine details, like the type (GTDI), size (3.5L), configuration (V-Shaped), and power range (310 to 320 horsepower), are typically encoded within the VIN, providing crucial information about the vehicle’s performance.
• Safety Features: Safety elements, including standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and optional features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), might be indicated by the VIN, highlighting the vehicle’s safety technologies.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN can provide insights into the vehicle’s fuel type, such as whether it’s a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) or primarily uses gasoline, which can be essential for assessing fuel costs and environmental impact.
• Driver Assistance Technologies: Information on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like standard backup cameras, optional parking assist, and lane-keeping assistance (LKA) might be available, offering an understanding of the level of driving support and safety the vehicle could offer.
• Body Type and Capacity: The VIN may detail the body class, identifying it as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with specifics like the number of doors (4), wheels (4), and seating capacity (8 seats across 3 rows), providing insights into the vehicle’s size and utility.
• Manufacturing Details: Key manufacturing information, including the plant country (United States), state (Kentucky), and city, could be indicated in the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Lincoln Navigator