Free Saturn Ion VIN Decoder

How to decode a Saturn Ion VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Saturn Ion VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe to signify essential information about the vehicle, such as its make and country of origin. The code for Saturn Ion vehicles, produced by General Motors LLC between the years 2003 and 2007, starts with ‘1G8’. This specific WMI reveals that the Saturn Ion is classified as a passenger car and was manufactured in Warren, Michigan, United States. The debut digit ‘1’ indicates that this vehicle is manufactured in North America, aligning with General Motors’ extensive operations in the United States. This zoning and classification system facilitated by the WMI is critical for vehicle identification, regulatory compliance, and recall management.

List of WMI Codes for a Saturn Ion

WMI: 1G8

• Model Years Covered: 2003-2007
• Example VIN: 1G8AZ54FX3Z181057
• 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 Saturn Ion 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 Saturn Ion:

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 Saturn Ion 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 Saturn Ion VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Saturn Ion VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Saturn Ion Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Saturn Ion

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

What info can a Saturn Ion VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Location: The VIN can disclose the vehicle’s model year, such as 2006, providing insights into the age and manufacturing details like the plant city being Spring Hill, state as Tennessee, and country as the United States, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN details key vehicle specs such as the make being GM, model Ion, body class as Sedan/Saloon, and it being a Passenger Car, which provides a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s design and market classification.
• Engine Details: The VIN closely describes engine characteristics, including a displacement of 2.2 liters, an in-line engine configuration, an engine model L61 manufactured by GM, an engine brake horsepower starting from 170, and it functioning with a multipoint fuel injection type, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: Vital safety features are encoded in the VIN, highlighting the presence of curtain and front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row and additional details like an occupant sensor, demonstrating the vehicle’s commitment to passenger safety.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN conveys crucial information on the vehicle’s compatibility with primary fuel types, in this case, gasoline, further enhancing understanding of its operational requirements and efficiency.
• Transmission and Drive: It specifies the transmission style as automatic, providing potential drivers with an idea of the vehicle’s driveability and performance characteristics.
• Additional Specifications: Other specific details like the series (Sedan Level 3 - Auto RF5), seat belt type (manual), and valve train design (Dual Overhead Cam, DOHC) are given, which further delineate the vehicle’s characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Saturn Ion