Free Buick VIN Decoder & Lookup

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Why Choose EpicVIN's Buick VIN Decoder?

  • ≈4 million Buick vehicles registered in the U.S. - DMV data refreshed daily by EpicVIN.
  • 183,420 Buick vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2024 - every new VIN indexed the same day.
  • Official NMVTIS feeds - titles, liens, and mileage straight from government records.
  • Free VIN decoding - pay only for the full history report.

What is a Buick VIN and Why Decode It?

A Buick VIN is a unique 17-character vehicle identification number assigned to each car since 1981, standardized by the ISO Institute. Our VIN decoder helps you access vital information about any Buick model, revealing manufacturing details, engine specifications, and essential vehicle history data instantly for older cars and newer vehicles alike.

How to Decode a Buick VIN Number?

Decode any Buick VIN in four simple steps to access instant vehicle information.

Find the VIN
Enter the VIN
Click "Decode VIN free"
Review the Results

Find the VIN

Locate the sequence in the corresponding location.

Enter the VIN

Input the sequence into our Buick VIN decoder tool.

Click "Decode VIN free"

Press decode to access basic specifications, recalls, and manufacturer details instantly.

Review the Results

Examine the results and consider using a full report for detailed accident records and car title information.

Popular Buick Models for VIN Check

How to Find a Buick VIN?

How to Find a VIN?

Your Buick's VIN appears in multiple locations.

  • Dashboard: Visible through the windshield (the driver's side).
  • Driver's door jamb: The driver's side door frame.
  • Under the hood: Metal plate near the engine block.
  • Registration documents: Title and registration paperwork.
  • Insurance card: Coverage documents.

Used Buick Key Risk Statistics in the USA (2024–2025)

Key Risk Impact on Buyers Mitigation Steps
Theft Risk 2% of mid-size Buicks targeted yearly (estimate) Use VIN tracking alerts and anti-theft.
Unrepaired Safety Recalls ~10% of used Buicks have open recalls. Check the NHTSA recall by VIN.
Depreciation Over Time ~35% value drop within 3 years. Buy below NADA. Consider an extended warranty.
Odometer Rollback Fraud Reported in ~0.5% of listed used Buicks. Use historical mileage VIN checks.
Hidden Flood or Salvage History ~5% show hidden water damage or salvage title. Review title records & auction photos.

Risk Reduction: Minimize risks: Do your best to conduct a VIN check before purchase. Review the car's mileage history, liens, and accidents.

Top-3 Common Failures in Used Buick Vehicles

Issue Affected Models, Symptoms, Average Repair Cost
Intake Manifold Gasket Leak ("gloop") Enclave 2008–2012, high mileage (~100k–150k mi); coolant loss, engine overheat. Repair ~$1,200.
Transmission Shudder / Slip Encore GX 2020–2022, ~30k–60k mi; shudder on acceleration. Typical rebuild ~$2,500.
Dual-Clutch AWD Rear Motor Failure Envision 2016–2019 AWD, ~80k–120k mi; loss of rear drive, error codes P0C2. Part + labor ~$3,000.

How to Read a Buick VIN Number

VIN Description

Each character in your vehicle's unique sequence tells a specific story.

  • WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier - Positions 1-3): Vehicle manufacturer and country of origin.
  • VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section - Positions 4-9): Body style, engine type/size, specific details, and check digit based on a mathematical formula for VIN validation.
  • VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section - Positions 10-17): Model year designation, manufacturing plant code showing production location, and serial number unique to each vehicle.

There are some other details that vehicle owners and buyers should know:

  • Every Buick VIN number begins with 1G or 2G - "1" for U.S., "2" for Canada, "G" for GM.
  • Assembly codes (11th position) include W for Lansing (Encore GX), F for Jinqiao, China (Envision).
  • GM used "Y" at position 10 for 2000-year vehicles, switching to "1" for 2001.
  • Diesel models are rare - VIN codes like "D" signal Diesel power.
  • Cadillac, GMC, and other GM brands share a VIN structure but differ in the 3rd digit segment.

Here's how our VIN decoder interprets a sample sequence (1G4NJ52T2TC416346):

Symbols Sample What It Reveals
1 1 The United States as the country of origin
2 G General Motors as a manufacturer
3 4 Vehicle division type
4-8 NJ52T Sedan body style, powertrain type, restraint system, model line, and trim level
9 2 Check digit for validation
10 T 1996 model year
11 C Lansing assembly location
12-17 416346 Individual vehicle serial number

What Information Can You Get from a Buick VIN Number?

Results for VIN Decoding for
VIN# 1G4HD57217U119881

2007 BUICK Lucerne

BLOCKCHAIN Confirmed Data Approved NMVTIS Data Provider
2007 BUICK Lucerne
  • Odometer

    No problems

  • Safety Recalls

    4 record

  • Accidents

    1 problem

  • Last mileage

    366,085 km

  • Auction Sales

    1 sale found

  • Owners

    2+ owners found

  • Year

    Year 2007

  • Make

    Make Buick

  • Model

    Model Lucerne

  • Fuel Type

    Fuel Type Gasoline

  • Engine

    Engine 3.8L V-Shaped L26

  • Made in

    Made in USA

Your VIN reveals detailed information through our free VIN decoder.

  • Model year & exact trim - Highlights Premium, Essence, Avenir, and Sport Touring variants.
  • Powertrain and drivetrain codes - Shows 2.0L turbo, 3.6L V6, eAssist hybrid, and AWD/FWD configuration.
  • Body style & platform - Specifies sedan, crossover, SUV, or VSS-F architecture.
  • Assembly location & country - Lists Lansing (Michigan), China locations, and manufacturing data.
  • Original market destination - Indicates U.S., Canada, or global regions for specific information.
  • Paint & interior trim codes - Shows factory colors and upholstery materials from manufacturer records.
  • Protection equipment profile - Details airbag setup, OnStar packages, GVWR class for vehicle information.
  • Sequential production number - Verifies build slot and prevents cloning through government databases.
Tracking open recalls across 10% of used Buicks helps buyers avoid safety surprises. — Alex Black, CMO, EpicVIN

Useful Resources for Buick and Safety

Get Your Complete Buick Vehicle History Today

Don't let hidden problems cost you thousands. Our results include accident history, mileage verification, title issues, auction photos, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check the dashboard through the windshield, driver's door sticker, under the hood plate, or registration documents for VIN locations.

Yes, the 11th position code "F" indicates Jinqiao, China, manufacturing in your VIN number, for instance.

Powertrain type codes in positions 4-8 indicate FlexFuel capability through specific manufacturer format data.

Enclave and LaCrosse models from 2008-2015 appear frequently, including some truck-based SUV platforms, due to transmission issues.

Use the NHTSA's official site to decode your VIN and identify any open safety recalls.

Our decoder provides free basic data; upgrade to a full report for complete accident records from insurance databases.

Code "L" typically indicates a turbocharged powertrain in VIN decoder results for newer models, another instance of detailed specifications.

Contact customer service with your VIN to obtain current warranty information and genuine parts coverage for older cars.

VINs starting with "2G" indicate Canadian market vehicles versus "1G" for U.S. market cars in this instance.

Fleet history appears in detailed vehicle history reports, not basic free decoder results for used car purchases.

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