Free 1998 Subaru Legacy VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Subaru Legacy VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Subaru Legacy VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1998 Subaru Legacy, the WMI is “4S3,” indicating that Subaru of America, Inc., based in Lafayette, Indiana, United States, manufactured this model. This identifier not only pinpoints the company but also signifies the vehicle type, in this case, a passenger car, providing crucial information about the origin and category of the vehicle. The WMI is a critical part of vehicle identification, aiding in the registration, warranty claims, and recall notices for vehicles. Specifically for the 1998 Subaru Legacy, it represents a model year in the extensive production span from 1991 to 2024, showcasing Subaru’s longstanding presence in the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Subaru Legacy

WMI: 4S3

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
• Example VIN: 4S3BD6751W6204054
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Lafayette
• State or Province: Indiana
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Subaru Legacy 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 1998 Subaru Legacy:

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 1998 Subaru Legacy 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 1998 Subaru Legacy VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Subaru Legacy VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Subaru Legacy Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Subaru Legacy

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Subaru Legacy’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Subaru Legacy VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year of manufacture, for instance, the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN might disclose the vehicle’s body class and size, potentially indicating it as a Wagon, which usually offers a spacious capacity suitable for family or cargo transport.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN could provide details such as engine displacement, showing values like 2500.0 cc, equivalent to 2.5 liters, which may suggest the vehicle’s power capacity and performance potential.
• Drive Type: It is possible to identify the drive type from the VIN, such as AWD/All-Wheel Drive, which might suggest enhanced handling and traction in various driving conditions.
• Safety Features: The presence and location of airbags, e.g., 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), can be decoded from the VIN, possibly indicating the primary safety mechanisms equipped in the vehicle.
• Plant Information: The VIN may disclose manufacturing details, such as the plant city being Lafayette and the plant country as the United States, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production location.
• Transmission Details: Information about transmission, including style as Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and the number of speeds (4), could offer clues about the vehicle’s performance characteristics and driving experience.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Subaru Legacy