Jeep VIN Decoder

List of Jeep Models

• Cherokee
• CJ-5
• CJ-7
• CJ-8 Scrambler
• Comanche
• Commander
• Compass
• Gladiator
• Grand Cherokee
• Grand Wagoneer
• J-10
• J-20
• Liberty
• Patriot
• Renegade
• Wagoneer
• Wagoneer S
• Wrangler

Jeep VIN Number Lookup

A VIN is issued to every vehicle when it’s built. This code is stamped and labeled in several places, so it can identify the vehicle through its life. However, it’s more than just a unique identifier. When you decode this set of digits, you can find out about when and where your Jeep was built, as well as its original equipment. This is especially handy on rare and special edition vehicles, where unscrupulous buyers may try to replicate features on a standard model to boost the price.

Where to Search for the VIN?

Jeep places the VIN in several locations on their vehicles, so they can always be identified. The Wrangler and its predecessors are designed with folding windshields and removable doors, so the manufacturer had to get creative with VIN placement. Here’s where you can find this code on your truck or SUV.

You can see the VIN from outside the vehicle by looking through the windshield. On some models, it’s printed on a small plate on the dashboard, next to the driver’s door and the windshield cowl. If you have a folding windshield, look at the edge of the glass. You should see the plate attached to the windshield frame.

Look at the B pillar, the door pillar behind the driver’s door. You will see a large silver sticker. The VIN is printed on this sticker above a bar code.

Open the hood. On older Jeeps, you should see a small metal plate on the firewall, near the brake master cylinder. The VIN is etched into this plate. Newer models have the VIN etched directly into the firewall, near the windshield wiper cowl.

Check the driver’s side foot well next to the parking brake lever. You can find the VIN number stamped on the inside of the fender.

Can you see the windshield wiper motor from inside the vehicle? If you can, the VIN is usually printed on the motor cover.

Check the right side frame rail. You will find a plastic or metal VIN plate next to the rear axle or below the front passenger door.

Comprehensive VIN Decoder Guide

Your Jeep’s vehicle identification number is made up of several sections. Most of these characters describe the vehicle. Here’s some of the information you can learn when you use our decoder.

The first character is the country where the Jeep was built. The majority of vehicles sold in North America are built here. This character will be 1, 4 or 5 for vehicles built in the U.S. A 2 is used on Canadian-built Jeeps, while a 3 is used on vehicles built in Mexico.

The second character is the manufacturer. This is always “J” on North American market Jeeps. The third character is the region, which is usually “4” for Jeep’s North American operations.

The fourth character is the safety system installed at the factory:

The fifth character is the model and drive system:

Character 6 is the trim level. 1 is the lowest level, while 5 is the highest. Sport models have an “S” for this character, while special editions use an “X”. This is standard labeling across Chrysler’s vehicles, and doesn’t always match up with the marketed trim level. For example, “5” may be used for two trims, while “4” isn’t used at all.

Character 7 is the body type:

Character 8 is the engine. These are the codes for the engines currently used in Jeeps:

Character 9 is the check digit. It verifies that the VIN is authentic. This digit is created with a formula that uses other VIN characters in its calculations.

Character 10 is the model year, which alternates between numbers and letters. It doesn’t use “O”, “Z” or “I” to avoid confusion with numbers.

The 11th digit is the assembly plant. Most Jeeps sold here are made in these three locations:

The 12th through 17th digits are the serial number. Serial numbers are reused, but the full VIN number is unique to each vehicle.