The VIN of the Subaru brand is an alphanumeric 17-digit code that starts with JF1 for cars manufactured in Japan or 4S3 for Subaru manufactured in the USA. Subaru VIN decoder allows you to learn a lot of useful information about the date of release of the car and its configuration. The Subaru cars with the wheel on the right side don't have a traditional VIN code, they have a body number such as ABC-XXXXXX, where ABC is the designation of the body model, and XXXXXX is a serial number of the car.
The Subaru engine serial number decoder is a tool for preventing the purchases of a stolen or damaged vehicle. For checking these two things, you should check all the places where the VIN code is located and compare each code. If the numbers coincide and they are the same, it means the non-removable parts were not replaced. The Subaru engine serial number decoder is a tool for preventing the purchases of a stolen or damaged vehicle. For checking these two things, you should check all the places where the VIN code is located and compare each code. If the numbers coincide and they are the same, it means the non-removable parts were not replaced.
On the Engine Some Subaru engines have a code printed directly on the engine. This code helps you identify the engine's specifications and factory code. The first 11 digits indicate the engine's specifications and the last four digits indicate the code specific to your engine. This is Subaru VIN Decoder. Every Subaru has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This number contains vital information about the vehicle, such as model, year of production, manufacturer, country and plant of assembly, type of engine, and more. Also if someone buy a vehicle, it is possible to check Vehicle History through VIN Number.
The identification number of Subaru cars is located in the traditional places:
- on the right side of the front panel;
- on the cup of the left front shock absorber;
- on the inside of the central pillar;
- n a special window under the windshield from the driver's side (US cars).
The VIN Subaru decoder can show you the specs of the car before you can see it with your own eyes. If you search for the car online, you can ask the owner to give you the VIN code of the Subaru car. You will find out the type of the engine, the transmission, the country of the manufacture, the model year and so on. The model year is not the year of the manufacture of the vehicle, the difference can be one year.
One more thing is the ease of use of the decoder, Subaru cars should be checked before buying. You can see the initial condition of the Subaru car and compare the data with what you see in real life. Ask the owner of the car why he or she made some specific changes or repairs. If the decoder cannot decipher the identification number, it's likely to be changed. Check the surface of the metal for any damages or scratches.
VIN Number
If you want to buy the American Subaru, you should pay attention to the first three characters of the code. There should be a letter S that comes the second. Letter F stands for the manufacture in Japan. You can choose among Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Tribeca plus the original parts for the future repairs. You can try to decode other symbols on your own, but it can take a lot of time. Using a Subaru VIN decoder is a good solution if you don't want to waste your time on finding what each of the items from the code means.
The Subaru engine serial number decoder is a tool for preventing the purchases of a stolen or damaged vehicle. For checking these two things, you should check all the places where the VIN code is located and compare each code. If the numbers coincide and they are the same, it means the non-removable parts were not replaced. If the codes differ even for one letter, the Subaru car you see was made out of two cars or the code was intentionally changed.
One more important thing you can find out with the code is the interior and safety equipment. You will know the number of seats, the color and the style of the interior. If the car is old, the owner could make some changes in it or replace the original seats with something else. The code also has the information about the airbags, their number and location. If you can't find at least one of them, ask the owner if the car got into any accidents. The VIN code is a useful and practical thing that helps you find out all the information about any Subaru car manufactured after 1981.
Subaru Sample VIN
- 4S4BSETC7J3200911 — 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring (3.6L V6 DOHC 24V), WAGON 4-DR
- JF2SJGUC5FH525490 — 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring (2.0L H4 SOHC 16V), SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
- 4S3BMCG64B3214998 — 2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium (2.5L H4 SOHC 16V), SEDAN 4-DR
- JF1GE61668H524178 — 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i (2.5L H4 SOHC 16V), SEDAN 4-DR
- 4S3BH675247626362 — 2004 Subaru Outback Wagon w/All-weather Package (2.5L H4 SOHC 16V), WAGON 4-DR
< Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN codes)
- NOTE: This information appears to not conform with current information
- Note: This information is incorrect for 4th Generation JDM Legacys.
Subaru uses a 17-character VIN format and code for vehicles sold in the United States. These rules also largely apply to the Saab 9-2x, a badge-engineered Subaru Impreza WRX wagon.
Subaru VIN code[edit]
The following sample is the sequence and meaning of each character in the Subaru VIN:
Position | Sample | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | J | World Manufacturer Identifier |
2 | F | |
3 | 1 | |
4 | C | Line type |
5 | X | Body style |
6 | 8 | Engine type |
7 | 6 | Model identifier |
8 | 5 | Restraint type |
9 | 9 | Check digit |
10 | T | Model year |
11 | H | Plant of manufacture & transmission type |
12 | 1 | Sequential production number |
13 | 0 | |
14 | 0 | |
15 | 2 | |
16 | 1 | |
17 | 6 |
The above serial number describes the following vehicle built in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries:
1996 Subaru Alcyone SVX, 3.3L EG33 engine, AWD 4EAT transmission, manual seat belts
with driver / passenger airbags. The 216th vehicle produced during the 1996 model year.
with driver / passenger airbags. The 216th vehicle produced during the 1996 model year.
Subaru WMIs[edit]
The WMI is specified in the first three characters of the Subaru VIN
WMI | Country | Description | Vehicle Types |
---|---|---|---|
JF1 | Japan | Fuji Heavy Industries | Passenger Vehicle |
JF2 | Japan | Fuji Heavy Industries | MPV |
4S3 | USA | Subaru-Isuzu Automotive / Subaru of Indiana Automotive | Passenger Vehicle |
4S4 | USA | Subaru-Isuzu Automotive / Subaru of Indiana Automotive | MPV |
MPV means Multi-Purpose Vehicle (station wagon, SUV, van or truck)
Line type[edit]
The line type is specified in the fourth character of the Subaru VIN
VIN Code | Description |
---|---|
A | DL/GL/GL-10/Leone/Loyale/Alcyone XT/XT6 |
B | Legacy/Baja |
C | Alcyone SVX |
G | Impreza |
K | Justy |
S | Forester |
V | WRX/LEVORG |
W | Tribeca/B9 Tribeca/Ascent |
Z | BRZ/FRS/GT86 |
Body style[edit]
The body style is specified in the fifth character of the Subaru VIN *This section is incorrect for 4th Gen Outbacks
VIN Code | Description |
---|---|
A | XX-94 Justy 3-Door |
B | 80-84 2nd gen. Leone/DL/GL sedan |
C | 1st gen. Sedan (Impreza/Legacy); 85-94 Leone/DL/GL/Loyale sedan |
D | XX-94 Justy 5-Door; 2nd gen. Sedan (Impreza/Legacy) |
E | 3rd gen. Sedan (Impreza/Legacy) |
F | 1st gen. Wagon (raised-roof Legacy/Impreza/Forester); 80-89 2nd gen. Leone/DL/GL hatchback |
G | 2nd gen. Wagon (raised-roof Legacy/Outback/Impreza/Forester); 85-94 3rd gen. Leone/DL/GL/Loyale hatchback |
H | 3rd. gen Legacy/Outback Wagon/Impreza Hatch |
J | 1st gen. non-raised-roof Legacy Wagon |
K | 2nd gen. non-raised-roof Legacy Wagon |
L | 4th gen. Legacy Sedan |
M | 1st gen. Impreza Coupe; 80-84 2nd gen. Leone/DL/GL wagon; 5th gen. Legacy Sedan, 1st gen Ascent |
M | Levorg Wagon |
N | 85-94 3rd. gen Leone/DL/GL/GL-10/Loyale wagon |
P | 4th gen. Legacy/Outback Wagon |
R | Impreza Hatch Widebody |
S | 6th Gen. Outback Wagon |
T | Baja; 80-84 2nd gen. Leone/DL/GL Brat |
U | 85-87 2nd gen. Leone/DL/GL Brat |
V | Impreza WRX Sedan Widebody |
W | 80-84 2nd gen. Leone/DL/GL coupe |
X | XT/SVX Coupe; Tribeca |
Engine type[edit]
The engine type is specified in the sixth character of the Subaru VIN
VIN Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | 1300cc - 1989; 1800cc FWD 1996 |
2 | 1600cc - 1989; 1800cc Impreza 1993-95; 1800cc Impreza AWD 1996-97; 2000cc AWD Turbo 2002-05 |
3 | 1600 4WD - 1989; 3300cc FWD/AWD 1992-1995; 2200cc FWD 1996-99 |
4 | 1800cc 1985-94; 2200cc AWD 1996-2000; FB 1600cc DIT AWD 2015+ |
5 | 1800cc 4WD w/out air susp - 1988, 1989; 1800cc 4WD 1990-94 2000cc 2004- |
6 | 2200cc 1990; 2200cc FWD/AWD 1991-95; 2200cc AWD (Ghost); 2500cc AWD 1996-2000; 2500cc AWD |
7 | 1800cc 4WD w/ air susp; 2200cc FWD 1989-94; 2500cc AWD Turbo |
8 | 2500cc FWD; 1200cc 4WD 1991; 1200cc AWD 1992-94; 3000cc 2001-2009; 3300cc FWD/AWD 1996-97 |
9 | 2500cc 4WD w/ & w/out air susp 1989-91; 3600cc 2008-up |
A | 2400cc AWD |
B | ? |
D | 2000cc DOHC Turbo Diesel |
Model[edit]
The model is identified in the seventh character of the Subaru VIN
VIN Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | Base |
2 | Brighton |
3 | L |
4 | 2.5GT with cloth |
5 | LS/S |
6 | LSi, Outback base |
7 | GT/RS, Outback AWP |
8 | Outback Limited Wagon/SUS |
9 | Postal Vehicle/WRX/Outback VDC |
0 | Outback L.L. Bean |
K | STI WRX/Levorg/Outback |
P | Ascent |
V | XV Crosstrek |
Restraint Type (Passenger) or Weight Class (MPV)[edit]
The restraint type, for passenger vehicles, or the weight class (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), for MPVs, is specified in the eighth character of the Subaru VIN
VIN Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | No Passive Restraint |
2 | Automatic Seat Belt w/o Air Bag |
3 | Automatic Seat Belt w/ Air Bag |
4 | Manual Seat Belt w/ Air Bag 1993-94; Automatic Seat Belt w/ Driver/Passenger Air Bags |
5 | Manual Seat Belt w/ Driver/Passenger Air Bags |
6 | Manual Seat Belt w/ Driver/Passenger Air Bags and Side Air Bags |
A | Class A (GVWR 3000 lbs. or less) |
B | Class B (GVWR 3001-4000 lbs.) |
C | Class C (GVWR 4001-5000 lbs.) |
D | Class D (GVWR 5001-6000 lbs.) |
Subaru Engine Serial Number
The Check Digit is identified in the ninth character of the Subaru VIN
The Model Year is identified in the tenth character of the Subaru VIN
Letters began being reused in 2010.
VIN Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | 2001 |
2 | 2002 |
3 | 2003 |
4 | 2004 |
5 | 2005 |
6 | 2006 |
7 | 2007 |
8 | 2008 |
9 | 2009 |
A | 1980, 2010 |
B | 1981, 2011 |
C | 1982, 2012 |
D | 1983, 2013 |
E | 1984, 2014 |
F | 1985, 2015 |
G | 1986, 2016 |
H | 1987, 2017 |
I | not used |
J | 1988, 2018 |
K | 1989, 2019 |
L | 1990 |
M | 1991 |
N | 1992 |
P | 1993 |
R | 1994 |
S | 1995 |
T | 1996 |
V | 1997 |
W | 1998 |
X | 1999 |
Y | 2000 |
Plants and transmission type[edit]
The assembly plant and transmission type is specified in the eleventh character of the Subaru VIN
VIN Code | Plant | Transmission |
---|---|---|
1 | SIA | FWD 5MT |
3 | SIA | Full-time AWD 6MT/AT |
4 | SIA | Full-time AWD 5AT |
5 | SIA | Sport Shift Automatic |
6 | SIA | Full-time AWD 5MT |
7 | SIA | Full-time AWD 4EAT |
8 | SIA | Full-time AWD 4EAT (Postal RHD) |
9 | SIA | FWD 4EAT |
A | FHI | FWD 4MT |
B | FHI | FWD 5MT |
C | FHI | FWD 3AT/ECVT |
D | FHI | On-demand AWD 5MT |
E | FHI | 4spd 4wd Dual Range MT 81-84, 85-89 Hatchback, 85-89 Brat. 5spd 4wd dual range MT 85-89 |
F | FHI | On-demand AWD 3AT |
G | FHI | Full-time AWD 5MT. Full-time AWD CVT. |
H | FHI | Full-time AWD 4EAT |
K | FHI | FWD 4EAT |
L | FHI | Full-time AWD 6MT |
P | FHI | Full-time AWD 4EAT (Postal RHD) |
Subaru Engine Code Location
- SIA = Subaru-Isuzu of America (now known as Subaru of Indiana Automotive), Lafayette, Indiana
- FHI = Fuji Heavy Industries, Gunma, Japan
The Vehicle Production Sequence number is specified in the twelfth - seventeenth characters of the Subaru VIN
- 100000 and after - Legacy Sedan SUS (Jan 98 - May 98)
- 210001 and after - Legacy Sedan
- 310001 and after - Legacy Station Wagon
- 410001 and after - Impreza Coupe; Ascent
- 510001 and after - Impreza Sedan
- 610001 and after - Legacy Station Wagon Outback
- 710001 and after - Forester Wagon
- 810001 and after - Impreza Sports Wagon
Subaru Block Numbers
External links[edit]
Decoding Subaru Engine Serial Numbers
Online Subaru VIN decoder
Subaru Engine Identification Numbers
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