Free 2003 Subaru Forester VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of motor vehicles. For the 2003 Subaru Forester, the WMI is “JF1,” where “J” indicates that the car was manufactured in Japan, “F” denotes Subaru Corporation as the manufacturer, and “1” signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car. This Subaru Corporation operates out of Shibuya-Ku in Tokyo, Japan. The WMI plays a crucial role in providing detailed information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and type, aiding in registration, identification, and regulatory compliance. It serves as the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), offering a standardized method to classify and track vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Subaru Forester

WMI: JF1

• Model Years Covered: 1998-2008
• Example VIN: JF1SG63603H701771
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Subaru Forester 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 2003 Subaru Forester:

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 2003 Subaru Forester 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 2003 Subaru Forester VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2003 Subaru Forester VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Subaru Forester Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Subaru Forester

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Subaru Forester’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Subaru Forester’s VIN below:

What info can a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it could possibly be the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN details a Subaru Forester 2.5X with a 2.5 liter engine, showcasing the type of comprehensive model information that can be obtained, offering potentially valuable insights into the vehicle’s specifications.
• Body Class and Type: It reveals the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), potentially highlighting the body class and size information encoded in the VIN for the Subaru Forester 2.5X.
• Drive Type and Transmission: The vehicle features AWD/All-Wheel Drive and a Manual/Standard transmission with 5 speeds, potentially indicating performance characteristics that may be present in the Subaru Forester 2.5X.
• Safety Features: The VIN suggests the presence of standard safety features for this model, with front air bag locations for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and side air bag locations, indicating possible safety measures in the Subaru Forester 2.5X.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN points to the vehicle being manufactured in Ota, Gunma, Japan, by FHI, potentially providing insight into its production origin, and this may be how the Subaru Forester 2.5X was produced.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It is classified as Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), potentially helping to understand the vehicle’s size and weight category, indicating the size and weight range the Subaru Forester 2.5X could possibly fall into.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Subaru Forester