Free 1996 Pontiac Sunfire VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, the WMI may reveal insights into the vehicle’s origins and specifications. Specifically, codes such as “1G2” for vehicles made in the United States, “3G2” for those also in the U.S., and “4G2” for additional U.S.-manufactured vehicles, denote vehicles produced by General Motors LLC, headquartered in Warren, Michigan. These identifiers not only pinpoint the manufacturing location but also classify the vehicle as a passenger car, providing a foundational understanding of the vehicle’s design and market segment. The WMI is integral to understanding a vehicle’s lineage, compliance with standards, and global identification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire

WMI: 1G2

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2004
• Example VIN: 1G2JB1242T7510709
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3G2

• Model Years Covered: 1996-1997, 1999-2001, 2004-2005
• Example VIN: 3G2JB5242TS800182
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 4G2

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2000
• Example VIN: 4G2JB32T1TB204082
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

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

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 Pontiac Sunfire 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 Pontiac Sunfire VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Pontiac Sunfire Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire

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

Check your Pontiac Sunfire’s VIN below:

What info can a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating that it is a 1996 Sunfire. This provides insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Examples of the depth of information about the powertrain a VIN might reveal include details such as the engine being a 2.2 Liter, In-Line 4 Cylinder with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) and made by LAN (Engine Manufacturer).
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, is encoded in the VIN, offering an immediate understanding of the vehicle’s fuel requirements and efficiency considerations.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN reflects that the vehicle comes with a Sedan/Saloon body class and has 4 doors, providing insights into the vehicle’s size, style, and utility.
• Safety Features: Locations of standard safety features, like front airbags located in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), can usually be inferred, giving an overview of the vehicle’s safety provisions.
• Manufacturing Details: Information regarding the manufacturing, such as the plant being located in Lordstown, Ohio, United States, indicates the origin of the vehicle, which can be critical for recall or historical data.
• Seat Belt Type: The VIN may reveal that the vehicle is equipped with manual seat belts, pointing towards the vehicle’s age or the simplicity of its safety features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire

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