Where can I find info to decifer a vehicle vin#?

Question

I want to know what all the numbers and letters stand for for a 2003 Ford focus. I need to purchase parts and I need the vin info>

Answer 1

Hi fluf!
The first 3 digits are Manufacturer Identifier codes.
They tell which country the vehicles final assembly was.

digits 5-6-7 are a 'body code' ..this tells which body style, ie; 3-door, 4-door, 5door, or wagon.

the 8th digit is tells which engine is in the vehicle

the 10th digit is the model year (in your case this would be "3")

the 11th digit is which assembly plant the vehicle came from.


digits 12-17 are the "Sequential Number"

For obtaining parts, you should bring the entire number to the dealership.

I recommend that you use only Genuine Ford Parts & Service.
Here's why:
Many people will tell you to go to a generic parts store, but what they don't tell you is that many parts &/or services could be covered under a Manufacturer Warranty. A "parts store" cannot honor a Ford "warranteed" part.

For instance, many (not all) 2003 Focus are covered under a 100,000 mile powertrain (engine & trans) warranty.
Only a Ford Service Center can tell (by running an 'oasis' report on your VIN ) if your vehicle is covered
Many emmissions-related parts & services are covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles, This even covers spark plugs & ignition wires...... a 'parts' store will charge you an arm-n-a-leg for those platinum tipped plugs. They may be covered by a Ford warranty.
You can call a dealership & ask the service dept to run a report on your vin to tell you about any recalls or TSBs that would be free services to be performed

For more detailed info as to how to 'read' a VIN :
http://www.answers.com/vehicle+identification+number?gwp=11&ver=2.1.0.502&method=3

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The V.I.N. # contains a complex record of the vehicles manufacture. The first letter / # indicates the engine installed. The second letter / # is the transmission. Next is trim code and special equipment followed by body style and originating production plant and the last 5 or 6 numbers are the production sequence. 45230 for example would be the 45,230th unit manufactured. The actual codes can be obtained from a dealer. The parts department has factory manuals with the information. The V.I.N. is not much help in buying parts. It is mostly to identify the vehicle for title and registration and for the police to identify a stolen or unrcogniseable wreck in order to find the owner.

Answer 4

Haynes and Chilton's manuals usually have a description of the vin system for a particular car. If it's worth a 20 to you.

Answer 5

You don't need the VIN unless the parts guy asks for it, and even then you don't need to be able to decipher it for him. He knows what the different letters and numbers mean, that's why he works behind the counter and you're in front of it! Just write the number down in it's entirety and take it with you.

Answer 6

isn't automobile VIN form a redundant assertion? VIN stands for automobile identity form. so which you're saying automobile VIN means which you're saying automobile two times. i'm no longer making relaxing of you. all of us says it, I basically wanted to indicate that out. I consider the 1st guy, it relatively is the place you will locate the form.

Answer 7

fluf, I work at a Ford dealership. Email me your VIN and I'll tell you whatever you wanna know about your car.

Answer 8

Go to a dealership

Answer 9

go to manufactoring or repair sights or ask a mechanic