Free Saturn LS VIN Decoder

How to decode a Saturn LS VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Saturn LS VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The WMI for a certain range of Saturn LS models, produced between 2000 and 2002, begins with ‘1G8’, denoting vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, these cars were assembled in Warren, Michigan, indicating both the geographical origin and the manufacturer’s identity. This code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in tracking the vehicle’s history, recalls, and other significant information. The Saturn LS models bearing this WMI signify their classification as passenger cars, embodying a blend of American automotive engineering and design during the specified production years.

List of WMI Codes for a Saturn LS

WMI: 1G8

• Model Years Covered: 2000-2002
• Example VIN: 1G8JR52F6YY662178
• 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 LS 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 LS:

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 LS 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 LS VIN — Year Code

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

Known Saturn LS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Saturn LS

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

What info can a Saturn LS VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, pointing to considerable details about its technology and design features, as illustrated by the reported 2001 model year.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, including displacement in liters (2.2L), engine configuration (In-Line), and number of cylinders (4), along with specific engine models (L61) and manufacturers (GM), demonstrates the depth of mechanical insights available.
• Fuel Efficiency Attributes: Types of fuel the vehicle uses can be discerned from the VIN, indicating a primary reliance on gasoline, complemented by the vehicle’s fuel delivery system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI).
• Safety Features: Safety elements, such as the presence and locations of airbags, including front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, and side airbags, provide a clear view into the vehicle’s safety standards.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN decode can offer comprehensive insights into the vehicle’s body class, with this example belonging to the Sedan/Saloon category, highlighting the vehicle’s structure and use case.
• Vehicle Manufacture and Assembly: Key manufacturing details, like the plant’s city (Wilmington), country (United States), and specific plant company name (Wilmington assembly), are contained within the VIN, showcasing the geographic origin of the vehicle’s construction.
• Transmission and Drivetrain Details: The transmission style, whether automatic or manual, along with intricate engine and drivetrain configurations, such as valve train design being Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), enrich the vehicle’s mechanical profile provided by the VIN.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Saturn LS