Free 2012 Subaru Forester VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2012 Subaru Forester VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Subaru Forester VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific information about it. The WMI for the 2012 Subaru Forester is “JF2,” indicating that the vehicle was made by Subaru Corporation. This sequence is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and reveals that the Forester is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), a designation that encompasses SUVs and crossovers. The “JF2” WMI also pinpoints the Subaru Corporation’s location in Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, underlining its origin and manufacturing standards. This identification system ensures that vehicles can be accurately traced back to their manufacturers and provides essential details about the vehicle’s type and origin.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Subaru Forester

WMI: JF2

• Model Years Covered: 2009-2024
• Example VIN: JF2SHGHC0CH426030
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Subaru Forester VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2012 Subaru Forester VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Subaru Forester Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Subaru Forester

The final 6 characters in a 2012 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 2012 Subaru Forester VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type: The VIN provides detailed engine information, including the Subaru engine manufacturer, a displacement of 2.5 liters, and a unique engine model, indicating the vehicle is powered by a horizontally opposed (boxer) 4-cylinder engine.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type the vehicle utilizes, which in this case is gasoline, can be deciphered from the VIN, offering insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Safety specifics, such as the presence of curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows and front airbags for driver and passenger protection, can be gathered from the VIN, highlighting the focus on occupant safety.
• Drive Type and Transmission: The vehicle’s drive type, revealed as AWD/All-Wheel Drive, and details about the transmission, such as it being a 4-speed automatic, are embedded within the VIN, indicating performance capabilities and drivetrain characteristics.
• Manufacturing Details: Information regarding the manufacturing, including the plant city Ota, plant country Japan, and the specific name of the plant (FHI Yajima Plant), can be decoded from the VIN, signifying the vehicle’s origin and production standards.
• Body Class and Trim Level: The VIN can illustrate the vehicle’s body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a specific trim level (LTD Plus), providing insights into the vehicle’s design, purpose, and capacity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Subaru Forester

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