Free Subaru VIN Decoder & Lookup

Decode your Vehicle Identification Number for free

Try a sample VIN
  • Official data from NHTSA
  • Most recent recalls
  • Most recent complaints
Successfully Decoded
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VIN
Make
Model
Year
Drive Type
Style/Body
Engine
Manufactured in
Age
Manufactured By -
Plant Company Name -
Vehicle Type -
Series -
Body Class -
Doors -
Front Airbag Location -
Seat Belts Type -
Engine Displacement (CI) -
Engine Displacement (CC) -
Fuel Type -
Engine Number of Cylinders -
Additional Vehicle Info
Most Recent Recalls
Most Recent Complaints
*NOT specific to this particular vehicle. Submitted by other owners of this model.
Source: official gov. database of complaints

What is a VIN Number?

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a distinct code given to each motor vehicle during its manufacture. This 17-character alphanumeric sequence, omitting Q, I, and O to avoid mix-ups with 0 and 1, details the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, year, and production site, presented without spaces. Driving-tests.org is used by thousands of users daily, it's the easiest way to use a VIN decoder, it's free to use, and it pulls straight from government data. For Subaru vehicles, this includes models like the Forester, Impreza, Outback, and Crosstrek. Each segment of the VIN contains specific data about the vehicle, such as the make, model, year, and serial number. This code, located on the vehicle's chassis or documents, is crucial for registration, insurance, and tracking the vehicle's history.

How many characters:
17 (digits and capital letters)
Where to find:
Dashboard on the driver's side
First digit stands for:
Country of manufacturer

How to Find It

Finding your Subaru's VIN is straightforward. Here’s where to look:

  • Passenger Cars: Check the front of the dashboard on the driver's side. View it from outside the vehicle through the windshield. Also, inspect the driver's side door pillar—open the door to find the VIN where the door latches.
  • SUVs: Look in similar locations as passenger cars, focusing on the driver's side door pillar and the front of the dashboard.

If you're unable to locate the VIN on your Subaru, it can also be found on:

  • Your vehicle's title documents.
  • Liability insurance documents.

How to Check a Specific Number

Enter your Subaru's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the field above to look up and receive an instant report on its manufacturer, brand, make and model, body style, engine size, assembly plant, and model year. The information is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from the data submitted by the manufacturers to NHTSA. The VIN Decoder lookup is intended for use with Subaru vehicles manufactured since 1981. Whether you own a Forester, Impreza, Outback, Crosstrek, or any other Subaru model, this tool is the best way to get a detailed build sheet or chart specific to your vehicle. If your Subaru was made before 1981, the VIN may be a shorter sequence of characters.

How to Read the Different Components

Curious about what each character in your Subaru's VIN stands for? Here's a breakdown:

How to decode a Vehicle Identification (VIN) number

Model Year Character Codes

The table below shows the model year character codes used in Subaru VINs. These codes help you determine the exact year of manufacture for your vehicle.

  • Example: A Subaru Forester with a VIN of JF2SJADC9FH123456 has a model year character of "F," indicating it was manufactured in 2015.
  • Example: A Subaru Impreza with a VIN of JF1GPAL69DG123456 has a model year character of "D," indicating it was manufactured in 2013.
Brand Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year
Subaru A 1980 L 1990 Y 2000 A 2010
Subaru B 1981 M 1991 1 2001 B 2011
Subaru C 1982 N 1992 2 2002 C 2012
Subaru D 1983 P 1993 3 2003 D 2013
Subaru E 1984 R 1994 4 2004 E 2014
Subaru F 1985 S 1995 5 2005 F 2015
Subaru G 1986 T 1996 6 2006 G 2016
Subaru H 1987 V 1997 7 2007 H 2017
Subaru J 1988 W 1998 8 2008 J 2018
Subaru K 1989 X 1999 9 2009 K 2019

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

This table provides the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes used in Subaru vehicles. These codes offer a glimpse into the country where your Subaru was manufactured, providing valuable insights into its production origins.

Brand-Specific WMIs:

  • JF = Japan
  • 4S = United States

Historical Context:

Subaru, known for its reliable and rugged vehicles, primarily manufactures its cars in Japan. Over the years, Subaru has also expanded its production to the United States, specifically in Lafayette, Indiana, to better serve the North American market.

Production Volume:

The majority of Subaru's production is concentrated in Japan, with significant volumes also coming from the United States. This dual manufacturing strategy allows Subaru to maintain high standards while meeting global demand efficiently.

Trivia:

  • The Subaru Forester, a popular compact SUV, is manufactured both in Japan and at Subaru's plant in Indiana, USA.
  • Subaru's iconic Impreza, known for its performance and rally heritage, has been produced in Japan since 1992.
WMI Region Notes
A-H Africa AA-AH = South Africa
J-R Asia
  • J = Japan
  • KL-KR = South Korea
  • L = China
  • MA-ME = India
  • MF-MK = Indonesia
  • ML-MR = Thailand
  • MS = Myanmar
  • PA-PE = Philippines
  • PL-PR = Malaysia
  • RF-RG = Taiwan
S-Z Europe
  • SA-SM = United Kingdom
  • SN-ST, W = Germany
  • SU-SZ = Poland
  • TA-TH = Switzerland
  • TJ-TP = Czech Republic
  • TR-TV = Hungary
  • TW = Portugal
  • VA-VE = Austria
  • VF-VR = France
  • VS-VW = Spain
  • VX-V2 = Yugoslavia
  • XL-XM = The Netherlands
  • XS-XW = USSR
  • X3-X0 = Russia
  • YA-YE = Belgium
  • YF-YK = Finland
  • YS-YW = Sweden
  • ZA-ZR = Italy
1-5 North America
  • 1, 4, 5 = United States
  • 2 = Canada
  • 3 = Mexico
6-7 Oceania
  • 6A-6W = Australia
  • 7A-7E = New Zealand
8-0 South America
  • 8A-8E = Argentina
  • 8F-8J = Chile
  • 8X-82 = Venezuela
  • 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil
  • 9F-9J = Colombia

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