Jeep VIN Number Decoder

Every Jeep has a unique identity, and it’s all encoded in its VIN number. The Jeep VIN number provides detailed insights into the vehicle’s specifications, features, production details, and even its past. Learn where to find the Jeep VIN and how to decode each character with this simple guide!

What is a Jeep VIN Number?

A Jeep VIN number is a unique identifier issued to every vehicle during manufacture, but it’s more than just an identifier. With the 17-character VIN (or 5 to 14 characters in classic vehicles), you can view any vehicle’s accurate specifications and features and even trace its past history down to the smallest detail.

With the VIN number, you can spot damaged vehicles, altered vehicles, fakes, clones, and lots more. The VIN is especially important to check if you’re in the used car market to buy or sell a Jeep.

Jeep VIN Number Breakdown – How to Read a Jeep VIN Number

Before we start, note that the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o) are omitted from a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to avoid confusion with the numbers 1, 0, and 9.

Now, let’s break down what all those characters in a Jeep’s VIN mean. A VIN is made up of 17 characters (except in classic vehicles), and each one gives you a clue about your Jeep’s specific details. These characters are also grouped into three segments to make decoding easier, they are:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): This includes the first three characters and signifies the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): This section includes the 4th to 9th characters and contains information about the vehicle’s make, engine specs, model, and more.

Vehicle Identifier Section: Here, you will find the 10th to 17th characters, which encode details like the model year, manufacturing plant code, and a serial number unique to each vehicle.

What does each character mean?

1st Character: Jeep Country of Origin

The first digit of the VIN indicates where your Jeep was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production.

1, 4, 5 = United States
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico

For example, a Jeep with a VIN starting with “1” means it was built in the U.S., while a “2” indicates Canadian production.

2nd Character: Manufacturer

The second character in the VIN identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For Jeeps sold in North America, this character is always ‘J.’ So, expect to see a J as the second character on a Jeep VIN. It could also be a ‘C’ to represent Chrysler, which Jeep has been a part of since 1967.

3rd Character: Vehicle Type or Region

The third character shows the vehicle type or the division. For most Jeeps, it represents the region where the vehicle was made or the brand’s specific operations. In your Jeep, you could find “4” as the third digit, which represents the North American market for Jeeps.

4th Character: Safety System

The fourth character is the safety system installed at the factory. In most Jeeps, you will find these characters:

D = No airbags
A = Front and side airbags
H = Advanced front and side airbags
K = Advanced front airbags
L = Advanced front and side airbags

5th Character: Model and Drive System

This character identifies the model of your Jeep and its drivetrain configuration (e.g., whether it’s 4WD or 2WD).

3, C, R = Grand Cherokee 4WD
S = Grand Cherokee 2WD
6 = Cherokee 4WD
A = Wrangler 4WD
G = Commander 4WD
H = Commander 2WD
L = Liberty or Cherokee 4WD

For example, if you see “A” in this spot, you know it’s a Wrangler with a 4WD drive system.

6th Character: Trim Level

Jeep offers close to two dozen trim levels to fine-tune the model lineup, and the 6th character shows the exact trim level of the vehicle.

7th Character: Body Style

This character indicates the body style or type of vehicle your Jeep is.

5 = Convertible
8 = Hatchback or Truck

For instance, if your VIN has a “5” here, it might indicate a convertible-style Jeep, while “8” refers to a hatchback or truck body.

8th Character: Engine

The eighth character on a VIN tells the engine’s specifications. This helps to know the engine’s size, configuration, and sometimes fuel type. For example,

D, M = 3.0L Turbo Diesel engine
G = 3.5L High Output V6
H = 5.7L HEMI V8
W = 6.1L HEMI V8

9th Character: Check Digit

This digit simply verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

10th Character: Model Year

The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters. Each letter represents a specific year; ‘W,’ for example, signifies a Jeep from the 1998 model year.

Here’s a table that can help you easily identify any Jeep’s model year:

Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year
A 1980 B 1981 C 1982 D 1983 E 1984 F 1985 G 1986 H 1987 J 1988 K 1989	L 1990 M 1991 N 1992 P 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999	Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009	A 2010 B 2011 C 2012 D 2013 E 2014 F 2015 G 2016 H 2017 J 2018 K 2019	L 2020 M 2021 N 2022 P 2023 R 2024 S 2025 T 2026 V 2027 W 2028 X 2029

11th Character: Assembly Plant

The eleventh character shows the vehicle’s assembly or manufacturing plant, and you would mostly find Jeeps assembled in these locations represented with these characters:

L, P, T = Toledo, Ohio
D = Belvidere, Illinois
J = Brampton, Ontario

12th to 17th Characters: Serial Number

These characters make up the unique sequential number of the Jeep. This distinguishes it uniquely from other Jeeps with the same model, trim, etc., manufactured in the same plant.

Get a Jeep VIN Number Search

Where is the VIN Number on a Jeep?

Now, this is one of the most asked questions. Where is the Jeep VIN located? Jeep places the VIN in several locations on the vehicle and documents to make it easier to spot.

Here’s where you can find the VIN number on a Jeep:

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield
On the driver’s side door jamb
On the engine block
On the vehicle’s firewall
In the left-hand inner wheel arch
On the steering wheel/steering column
On the radiator support bracket
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy

Just take a good look at these locations and the Jeep VIN number should be easy to find.

What Information Can I Get from a Jeep VIN Lookup?

The VIN can be used to access everything about a new or used Jeep with the help of a Jeep VIN number lookup tool. This includes vehicle specifications, features, build sheets, and past history records.

Here’s a glimpse of Jeep specifications you can access when you decode the VIN with a VIN decoder:

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions

Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type
Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain

Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions
Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type

Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain
Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Not just that, a Jeep VIN lookup also tracks vehicle history records from when the vehicle first left the factory. Some records you can view include:

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand

Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage
Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History

Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand
Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage

Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History
Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

Note that the records provided when you decode the VIN depends on the provider you use. For example, with our window sticker lookup tool, you can view all the specs listed above on a copy of the original window sticker. However, you may find less info with other providers.

View Sample Jeep Window Sticker

How to Decode a Jeep VIN Number

If you have the Jeep VIN handy, you can decode it with our VIN decoder instantly with just a few steps:

Enter the Jeep VIN in the form above. Our tool can decode standard VINs (17 characters) and classic VINs (5 – 14 characters). You can also use the license plate number or the year, make, and model of the vehicle if you don’t have the VIN.

Click on ‘Search’ to preview your vehicle’s specifications for free.

Complete the payment process to get a detailed vehicle history report showing vehicle specifications and history records.

Using our Jeep VIN decoder, you can also break down all the characters of a VIN to access the specifications and build data, whether for classic or modern vehicles.

Get a Jeep History Report Get a Window Sticker

Common Uses of the Jeep VIN Number

The VIN can serve different purposes depending on who’s using it. Some of the common uses of the Jeep VIN are:

Vehicle Registration

After every vehicle is purchased, they have to be registered at the State bureaus or departments of motor vehicles before they can hit the road. This process requires the VIN. Ownership papers, bills of sale, titles, and everything usually have the VIN on them for proper identification.

Insurance Purposes

The VIN is also required during insurance. With a VIN number lookup, insurance companies can use the VIN to check on information about specific Jeeps and to make accurate quotes.

Window Stickers

The VIN is very useful in generating window stickers to check any vehicle’s specifications, such as make, model, engine type, and trim. This ensures that potential buyers can verify the exact features and details of the vehicle before making a purchase.

Vehicle History Checks

The VIN also comes in for buyers who need to check a vehicle’s history records like theft records, sales records, damages, accidents, salvage brands, rebuilt titles, build data, warranty coverage, and more. With a simple VIN check, car buyers, sellers, and dealers can avoid damaged cars and negotiate accurately.

Police Checks

If a vehicle gets reported as stolen, the police can keep track of that vehicle using the VIN. They can even place police markers on those VINs and get alerts at checkpoints.

Safety Recalls

Since manufacturers have VINs right in their database, they can easily identify specific vehicle models that get recalled and notify the owners to get them fixed as soon as possible. Car buyers can also check for pending recalls on any used car before purchasing using the VIN.

Get a Jeep History Report Get a Window Sticker

Top Jeep Models You Can Lookup With a VIN Decoder

Got any Jeep VIN? You can easily decode them using our Jeep VIN number decoder. Here are some Jeep models you may be interested in:

Wrangler	Liberty	Grand Wagoneer	Renegade Trailhawk
Grand Cherokee	Patriot	Wrangler Unlimited	Compass Trailhawk
Renegade	Commander	Grand Cherokee L	Gladiator Mojave
Compass	Cherokee	Wrangler Rubicon	Wrangler Sport
Gladiator	Wagoneer	Grand Cherokee Overland	Grand Cherokee Summit

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I look up my car specs using the VIN number?

Yes, you can look up car specs using the VIN number. All you need to do is enter the VIN into the form on this page, and you will get a detailed window sticker with your vehicle’s complete specifications, features, options, pricing, and more.

Where can I find the VIN on a Jeep?

You can find the VIN on any Jeep by checking the following locations:

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield
On the driver’s side door jamb
On the engine block
On the vehicle’s firewall
In the left-hand inner wheel arch
On the steering wheel/steering column
On the radiator support bracket
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy

How do I find out what model Jeep I have?

You can easily find out your Jeep’s model by decoding the VIN. With our VIN decoder, you can view your vehicle model within seconds for free. You simply need to fill out the form on this page and submit it. You can also use the license plate number if the VIN is unavailable.

Is it safe to share my Jeep VIN?

Yes, it is safe to share your Jeep VIN, especially if you are selling your vehicle, obtaining insurance, or servicing your car. It cannot be used to access your personal information, but it doesn’t mean you should share it with unknown entities.

How do you read a Jeep VIN number?

A Jeep VIN is a 17-character code that identifies your vehicle. Here’s how to read the VIN number: 1st character is the country, 2nd is the manufacturer, 3rd is the vehicle type, 4th-8th are vehicle features, 9th is the security code, 10th is the model year, 11th is the assembly plant, and 12th-17th are the serial number.

What is a Jeep VIN check?

A Jeep VIN check provides you with a detailed history of a vehicle, including details such as accident reports, theft records, title status, and more. With a VIN check, you can be sure that you’re making an informed decision, helping you avoid purchasing a vehicle with hidden issues.

Can I get a window sticker for a used Jeep using the VIN?

Yes, you can obtain a window sticker for a used Jeep using the VIN. By entering the VIN, you can access the original window sticker, which will include the car’s detailed specifications, features, pricing, and options from the manufacturer.