Free 1996 Nissan Altima VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Nissan Altima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Nissan Altima VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving to identify the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For example, the 1996 Nissan Altima has a WMI of “1N4”, indicating it is a Nissan North America, Inc. vehicle made in the United States, specifically in Franklin, Tennessee. This code is pivotal in providing specific vehicle information, including the year it was manufactured (1996 in this case), and categorizing it as a passenger car. The WMI is an essential component in automotive identification and tracking, ensuring every vehicle can be uniquely traced back to its origin.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Nissan Altima

WMI: 1N4

• Model Years Covered: 1993-2024
• Example VIN: 1N4BU31D0TC128277
• Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Franklin
• State or Province: Tennessee
• Country: United States

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

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 Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Nissan Altima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Nissan Altima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Nissan Altima

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

What info can a 1996 Nissan Altima VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year, which could be the year 1996, potentially offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Body Type and Size: The VIN can provide information about the body type of the vehicle, in this case indicating a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, which might give some indication of the vehicle’s size and passenger capacity.
• Engine Specifications: Details like the engine model KA24, displacement in liters (2.4 L), and the number of cylinders (4) are typically encoded within the VIN, potentially helping to determine the vehicle’s power and efficiency.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline for the Altima, can typically be discovered through the VIN, offering insights into potential fuel efficiency and performance.
• Safety Features: Standard safety features for the model can be inferred from the VIN, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, possibly indicating the vehicle’s available safety equipment.
• Vehicle Assembly Location: The VIN typically provides information about the manufacturing location, in this case, revealing that this Altima was assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee at the Smyrna Plant, which could indicate the vehicle’s production origin within the United States.
• Drive Type: The VIN can offer insights into the vehicle’s drivetrain, with this example being a 4x2 drive type, which might suggest the vehicle’s handling characteristics and potential usage scenarios.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Nissan Altima

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