- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan
- How to find a Nissan's VIN?
- What info can a Nissan VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan
How to decode a Nissan VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned to each vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their vehicles in the global market. These codes, as part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), provide information about the manufacturer, vehicle type, and manufacturing location. For instance, Nissan vehicles are identified by several WMIs, including ‘JN1’ for passenger cars from Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, and ‘5N1’ for multipurpose passenger vehicles from Nissan North America, Inc. in Franklin, Tennessee, USA. Other WMIs like ‘3N1’ indicate passenger cars made by Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico, showcasing the global footprint of Nissan’s manufacturing operations through these unique identifiers.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1 | Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. | Passenger Car | Chuo-Ku | Tokyo | Japan | 1981-2024 | JN1RS06SXDW004525 |
| 1N4 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Passenger Car | Franklin | Tennessee | United States | 1989-1990, 1992-2024 | 1N4BB42D4VC516822 |
| 5N1 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Franklin | Tennessee | United States | 2000-2024 | 5N1AA08B04N700886 |
| JN8 | Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Chuo-Ku | Tokyo | Japan | 1987-2024 | JN8AY2NE0H9700027 |
| 1N6 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Truck | Franklin | Tennessee | United States | 1984-2024 | 1N6DD26Y0WC331499 |
| JN6 | Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. | Truck | Chuo-Ku | Tokyo | Japan | 1984-1987, 2011-2013, 2016-2017, 2022-2023 | JN6AD0ER3BC412458 |
| 3N1 | Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. | Passenger Car | C.P. | Mexico | 1995-2024 | 3N1CP5CU0JL497093 | |
| 3N6 | Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. | Truck | C.P. | Mexico | 2013-2021 | 3N6CM0KN0DK690242 | |
| 3N8 | Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | C.P. | Mexico | 2014-2017, 2019 | 3N8CM0JT2EK690574 | |
| 4N2 | Ford Motor Company | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Dearborn | Michigan | United States | 1993-2002 | 4N2DN11W6PD817145 |
| KNM | Renault Samsung Motors Co., Ltd. | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Gangseo-Gu | Busan | South Korea | 2015-2020 | KNMAT2MT0FP500154 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a Nissan:
| 100 Most Common VDS for a Nissan | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS06S | PS24S | PS26S | VS26S | BB42D | AB42D | HS36P | HS34P | MS36P | MS34P |
| AS44D | HZ16S | HZ14S | CZ14S | RZ26A | CZ24S | CZ24A | RZ24A | RZ24H | CZ24H |
| RZ26H | RZ27H | RZ24D | RZ26D | RZ27D | CZ24D | AZ34E | AZ34D | AZ36D | AZ36A |
| BZ36A | BZ34D | BZ34E | AZ44E | AZ4EH | AZ4FH | BU31F | BU31D | DL01D | DL01A |
| BL11E | BL11D | AL11E | AL11D | CL21E | BL21E | AL21E | AL24E | BL24E | CL2AP |
| BL2EP | AL2EP | AL2AP | BL2AP | BL3AP | AL3AP | BL4BW | BL4EW | AL4FV | BL4FV |
| BL4DW | BL4CV | BL4CW | BL4EV | BL4FW | AL4CV | BL4DV | BL4BV | BL4AV | BL4AW |
| BF0AA | CF0BB | DF0CD | DF0BB | AF0BA | BF0BA | AA08B | AA08A | AA08C | BA08A |
| BA08C | BA08D | AA08D | AA0NF | AA0NE | BA0NC | BA0NE | BA0NF | BA0ND | AA0NC |
| AA0ND | AY2NE | AY2NC | AY2ND | AY2NF | AY2NU | AY2AD | AY2DA | AY2AC | AY2CD |
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 Nissan 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 Nissan VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 |
| P | 2023 |
| N | 2022 |
| M | 2021 |
| L | 2020 |
| K | 2019 |
| J | 2018 |
| H | 2017 |
| G | 2016 |
| F | 2015 |
| E | 2014 |
| D | 2013 |
| C | 2012 |
| B | 2011 |
| A | 2010 |
| 9 | 2009 |
| 8 | 2008 |
| 7 | 2007 |
| 6 | 2006 |
| 5 | 2005 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 3 | 2003 |
| 2 | 2002 |
| 1 | 2001 |
| Y | 2000 |
| X | 1999 |
| W | 1998 |
| V | 1997 |
| T | 1996 |
| S | 1995 |
| R | 1994 |
| P | 1993 |
| N | 1992 |
| M | 1991 |
| L | 1990 |
| K | 1989 |
| J | 1988 |
| H | 1987 |
| G | 1986 |
| F | 1985 |
| E | 1984 |
| D | 1983 |
| C | 1982 |
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the Nissan VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Nissan Shatai Kyyushu Plant, Miyako-Gun | Fukuoka | Japan | Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd. | JN8AY2NE0H9700027 |
| A | Sunderland | United Kingdom | Nmuk Plant | 5N1AZ2MS2KA135491 | |
| C | Smyrna | Tennessee | United States | Smyrna Plant | 1N4BB42D4VC516822 |
| D | Avon Lake | Ohio | United States | 4N2DN11W6PD817145 | |
| K | Jiutepec | Morelos | Mexico | Nissan Mexicana, S.A. De C.V. | 1N6AD0EVXKKN77619 |
| L | Aguascalientes City | Aguascalientes | Mexico | Aguascalientes Assembly | 1N4DL01D1WL140257 |
| M | Tochigi | Kaminokawa | Japan | Tochigi Plant | JN1AZ36D04M200108 |
| N | Canton | Mississippi | United States | Canton Plant | 1N4AL11D05N405729 |
| P | Busan | Yeongnam | South Korea | Renault Samsung Motors Co., Ltd | KNMAT2MT0FP500154 |
| T | Yokosuka | Kanagawa | Japan | Oppama Plant | JN1AZ34E03T000894 |
| U | Zama | Kanagawa | Japan | Zama Plant | JN1EB36C2NU101899 |
| W | Miyawaka | Fukuoka | Japan | Kyushu Plant | JN1RS06SXDW004525 |
| X | Hiratsuka | Kanagawa | Japan | Hiratsuka Plant | JN1HZ16S2EX017665 |
| Y | Aguascalientes | Aguascalientes | Mexico | Nissan Mexicana, S.A. De C.V. | JN8AT2MV8HY272360 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan
The final 6 characters in a Nissan’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Nissan’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- On the Nissan, you can typically find the VIN displayed on the dashboard on the driver’s side, visible through the front windshield.
- The door jamb on the driver’s side of the Nissan is another common place to find the VIN, usually on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches when closed.
- The engine block of your Nissan may also contain the VIN stamped onto it; this is particularly useful for verification purposes.
- Inside the vehicle, check the area around the steering column of your Nissan. Sometimes, the VIN can be found on a sticker or a plate in this region.
- For some Nissan models, the VIN can also be located on the vehicle’s registration, insurance documents, or vehicle title, providing an easy way to access it without having to inspect the car physically.
What info can a Nissan VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN could uncover the vehicles model year, like 2020, presenting insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, revealing that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon, providing a glimpse into the general shape, interior space, and purpose of the vehicle.
- Engine Type and Transmission: Engine specifications, such as a 2-liter displacement and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), are encoded within the VIN, offering essential information about the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: By decoding the VIN, one might learn about the standard safety features of the vehicle, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Curtain Air Bags available in the 1st and 2nd rows, and Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), emphasizing the focus on passenger security.
- Fuel Efficiency: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s primary fuel type, which in this case is Gasoline, providing crucial information for understanding operational costs and environmental impact.
- Price and Manufacturing Details: It includes the base price, $32,180.00, and provides manufacturing details such as the plant location in Smyrna, Tennessee, by Nissan North America Inc., painting a picture of its origin and value.
- Advanced Technology and Assistance Systems: The inclusion of advanced technology features like Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Dynamic Brake Support (DBS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard indicates the vehicle’s modernity and alignment with current automotive trends.
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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Not Available |
| Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) | Not Available |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 32180.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.0474881894 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Not Available |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Altima |
| Model Year | 2020 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | 3-Point Manual Belts, 2nd row outboard 3-Point Manual Belts, 2nd row center 3-Point Manual Belts |
| Parking Assist | Not Available |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Smyrna |
| Plant Company Name | Nissan North America Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Tennessee |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Style | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) |
| Trim | Grade Platinum |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1N4AL4FV*LC |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 111.20 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 19 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 19 |
| Sample_VIN | 1N4AL4FV0LC100274 |
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