Nissan VIN Decoder: How To Decode A Nissan VIN

A Nissan VIN decoder allows you to look up options, models, years, engines, transmissions, and specifications.

At a Glance

Position 1: where it was built: J for Japan, 1, 4 or 5 for the US, 3 for Mexico.
Common WMIs: JN1 Nissan cars from Japan, JN8 SUVs from Japan, 1N4 US built cars, 1N6 US built trucks, 5N1 US built SUVs, 3N1 Mexican built cars.
Position 10: model year, such as A for 2010 and L for 2020.
Position 11: the assembly plant.
Positions 12 to 17: the serial number.

To check what engine, transmission, and options are installed on your vehicle, use the VIN Decoder Tool.

How To Decode Nissan VIN

First, locate the vehicle information stick on the driver’s door jamb. It will have your Nissan VIN. Below you can see what each character in the VIN means.

Position 1

Position one in the Nissan VIN identifies where the vehicle was assembled.

1, 4, 5 United States
2 Canada
3 Mexico
J Japan

Position 2

This position of the VIN is held by a character that identifies the manufacturer of the car, in this case, Nissan.

Position 3

The third position of the Nissan VIN identifies the brand division. This character pinpoints the specific manufacturer division even if the manufacturer has many divisions.

These first three positions of the Nissan VIN are known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). These are shown in the table below:

Mark	WMI	Manufacturer	Country Code	Country
NISSAN	1N4	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	1N	USA
NISSAN	1N6	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	1N	USA
NISSAN	1PJ	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	1P	USA
NISSAN	3N1	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N2	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N3	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N4	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N5	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N6	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N7	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3N8	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3NP	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3N	Mexico
NISSAN	3T3	Nissan Mexicana SA de CV (MEX)	3T	Mexico
NISSAN	4N2	NISSAN (USA)	4N	Canada
NISSAN	5BZ	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	5B	USA
NISSAN	5N1	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	5N	USA
NISSAN	5N2	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	5N	USA
NISSAN	5N3	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	5N	USA
NISSAN	5Z6	Nissan Motor Mfg Corp USA (USA)	5Z	USA
NISSAN	6F4	Nissan Motor Co Australia Pty Ltd (AUS)	6F	Australia
NISSAN	7A7	Nissan New Zealand Ltd (Z)	7A	New Zealand
NISSAN	7B2	Nissan Diesel New Zealand Ltd. (Z)	7B	New Zealand
NISSAN	93B	Nissin Veiculos Especiais Industria (BRA)	93	Brazil
NISSAN	94D	Nissan Do Brasil Automobeis Ltda (BRA)	94	Brazil
NISSAN	9F9	CIA Autoensamble Nissan Ltda. (BRA)	9F	Brazil
NISSAN	9F9	CIA Autoensamble Nissan Ltda. (COL)	9F	Colombia
NISSAN	ADN	Nissan SA (Pty) Ltd (ZA)	AD	South Africa
NISSAN	JN0	NISSAN (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN1	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN2	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN3	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN4	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN5	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN6	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN7	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JN8	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNA	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNB	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNC	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JND	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNE	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNF	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNL	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNM	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNN	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNP	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNR	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNR	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNS	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNT	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNU	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNV	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNW	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNY	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JNZ	Nissan Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JPA	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JPB	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JPC	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JPD	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	JPE	Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (J)	JN	Japan
NISSAN	KNM	Samsung Motors Inc (KOR)	KN	Korea
NISSAN	LJN	Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co Ltd (CHN)	LJ	China
NISSAN	LUD	Dongfeng Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd (CHN)	LU	China
NISSAN	MDH	Renault Nissan Automotive India (I)	MD	India
NISSAN	MEE	Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (I)	ME	India
NISSAN	MEK	Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles Ltd. (I)	ME	India
NISSAN	MN1	Siam Motors & Nissan Sales Co Ltd (THA)	MN	Thailand
NISSAN	MNT	Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (THA)	MN	Thailand
NISSAN	MNT	Siam Nissan Automobile Co Ltd (THA)	MN	Thailand
NISSAN	SA9	Nissan Motorsports International Co Ltd (UK)	SA	United Kingdom
NISSAN	SJN	Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (UK)	SJ	United Kingdom
NISSAN	VNV	RENAULT SAS (F)	VN	France
NISSAN	VSG	Nissan Motor Iberica SA (S)	VS	Spain
NISSAN	VSH	Nissan Motor Iberica SA (S)	VS	Spain
NISSAN	VSJ	Nissan Motor Iberica SA (S)	VS	Spain
NISSAN	VSK	Nissan Motor Iberica SA (S)	VS	Spain
NISSAN	VSL	Nissan Motor Iberica SA (S)	VS	Spain
NISSAN	VT0	Mecanissan SL (S)	VT	Spain
NISSAN	VWA	Nissan Motor Iberica SA (S)	VW	Spain
NISSAN	Z8N	Nissan Manufacturing Rus LLC (RUS)	Z8	Russia

Position 4

For the Nissan vehicle made for the European market, this position identifies the vehicle’s body type.

B: sedan, 4 door (except MAXIMA, TIIDA)
C: sedan doors 4 (only MAXIMA, TIIDA)
E: hatchback door 3
F: hatchback door 5
G: coupe
T: wagon 5dverey

For the vehicles made for the North American market, this position identifies the engine designations.

A: VG30D, VK45DE, VQ35DE, VK56DE, VQ40DE
B: KA24DE, SR20DE, VQ35HR
C: SR20DE, VG30DE
D: KA24DE, QG18DE, VQ35DE
E: VE30DE, GA16DE, VG33E
F: KA24E
H: VG30E
M: KA24DE , VG33ER
N: VH45DE
R: VG30DE
S: KA24E
T: VG33E

Position 5 to 6

*For the Nissan vehicles made for the European market, position 5 of the VIN identifies the engine code of the vehicle.

For the same vehicles, position 6 of their VIN identifies their drivetrain and the seats available.

A: 5 seats, front-wheel drive, 4×2 (except MAXIMA)
N: 5 places all-wheel drive, 4×4
S: 7 places full drive, 4×4
U: 5 seats, front-wheel drive, 4×2 (only MAXIMA)

*For the Nissan vehicles that have been made for the North American market, positions 5 and 6 identify the models and code generation of the vehicle.

A0: Armada (SUV) / Titan (pickup)
A2: A4: Maxima (A32: A34)
B3: the Sentra / NX coupe’s (B13)
B4: the Sentra / 200SX (B14)
B5: the Sentra (B15)
C1: Tiida / Versa is (C11)
C4: Sunny (prospect in Korea, analogue Nissan Almera Classic for at N16 platform of the European market)
D0, D2: Frontier, Pickup (D20, D22)
EW: Palladin (produced in China for the domestic market)
J0: Maxima (J30)
L0 … the L1: the Altima (L30 … L31)
N0: the X-Terra
the N1: Quest (the N10)
N3- N6: Sunny (N13: N16)
R0: R1: Pathfinder (R50: R51)
T0: X-Trail (T30)
S3: S4 to 200SX / 240SX / 280SX
S5: Rogue (S35)
V2: Quest (V20)
Z0: Z2: Murano (Z50: Z52)
Z2 to 300ZX (Z32)
Z3: Z350 (Z33)

Position 7 to 9

For Nissan vehicle made for the European Market, position seven through nine identifies the code platform and the model of the vehicle.

160: Patrol (GR) (Y60) [1979-11 … 1988-08]
720: Pickup [1980-12 … 1985-09]
910: Bluebird [1980-01 … 1983 -12]
A32: Maxima [1994-10 … 2000-01]
A33: Maxima [2000-01 … 2006-01]
A36: Maxima [2015-04 …]
A60: Armada / the Titan
B10: Almera [2006-01 … 2012-11]
B11: Sunny [1982-03 … 1990-08]
B12: Sunny [1986-06 … 1990-08]
B13 to 100NX [1990-10 … 1994 -10]
B14: Sentra [… 1994-04 1999-12]
B15: Sentra [… 2000-01 2006-09]
B16: Sentra [… 2006-09 2012-09]
B17: Sentra / Sylphy [2012-06 …]
B17: Sentra Russian prospect Island on platform Micra K13
C11: Tiida / Versa is [… 2007-02]
C12: Vanette [1981-06 … 1987-06]
C13: Pulsar [ … 2014-07]
C13: Tiida (Russian and Chinese pr-va) [2015-01 …]
C22: Vanette [1986-10 … 1992-06]
C23: Serena [1992-07 … 2001-11]
C26: Serena (Indonesia) [2016-06 …]
C32: Laurel [… 1984-11 1990-06]
D10: Terrano (Renault Duster) [2014-03 …]
D21: KingCab / Terrano [… 1985-09 1998-02]
D22: KingCab / Pick-UP / Navara / NP300 (Japanese Islands etc.) [… 1998-02 2012-01]
D23: Navara NP300 [2015-11 … ]
D40: Pick-UP / Navara (Spanish pr-va) [2005-05 …]
E11: Note [… 2006-01 2013-08]
E12: Note [… 2013-08]
E23: Urvan [1980-07 … 1987-02]
E24: Urvan / Kingvan [1986-11 … 1997-05]
E52: Quest
F15: Juke [2010-07 …]
F22: Cabstar [1982-01 .. .1992-06]
F23: Cabstar [1992-07 … 1995-12]
F24: Cabstar [2006-09 …]
F80: NV3500
G15: Almera [2012-11 …]
G40: NT-500 [ … 2013-10]
J10: Qashqai [… 2006-12 2013-12]
J10: Qashqai 2 + 2 [… 2008-08 2013-12]
J11: Qashqai (on a single platform with the X-Trail ( T32)) [2013-12 …]
J30: Maxima [1988-12 … 1994-06]
J31: Teana [2006-04 … 2008-02]
J32: Teana [2008-02 … 2013 -12]
K10: Micra [1982-12 … 1992-11]
K11: Micra [1992-08 … 2002-11]
K12: Micra [2002-11 … 2010-07]
K13: Micra (Indian prospect Island) [2010-07 …]
L10: Grand Livina [2008-03 …]
L11: Livina [2013-03 .. .]
L33: Altima [2015-12 …]
L33: Teana (Russian pr-va) [2014-01 …]
M10: Prairie [… 1983-01 1988-10]
M11: Prairie [1988- 10 1994-07 …]
M20: NV200 [… 2009-08 2010-05]
M20: NV200 (Indonesia) [2016-05 …]
ME0: e-NV200 [2014-05 …]
N10: Cherry [1978-08 … 1982-09]
N12: Cherry [1982-04 … 1986-07]
N13: Sunny [1986-06 … 1990-10]
N14: Sunny [1990-10 .. .1995-07]
N15: Almera [1995-07 … 2000-04]
N16: Almera [2000-04 … 2006-11]
N17: Almera / Sunny / Versa is type sedan [2015-06 …]
N50: Xterra
P10: Primera [1990-06 … 1996-06]
P11: Primera [1996-06 … 2002-01]
P12: Primera [2002-01 … 2007-05]
P15: Kicks [2016- 04 …]
R20: Terrano II of [1993-02 … 2006-12]
R32: Skyline
R33: Skyline [1997-08 … 1999-09]
R34: Skyline [1999-10 … 2000-08 ]
R35: GT-R [2008-12 …]
R50: Terrano / Pathfinder II [… 1997-10 2003-08]
R51: Pathfinder III (Spanish pr-va) [2005-01 … 2014- 11]
R52: Pathfinder IV [2014-08 …]
S11: Silvia [… 1979-01 1983-05]
S12: Silvia [1983-10 1988-05 …]
S13 to 280ZX [1978-07 … 1983-06]
S13 to 200SX [1988-09 … 1993-12]
S14 to 200SX [1994-04 … 1999-12]
S35: Rogue
T11: Stanza [1981-08 … 1985-12]
T12: Bluebird [1985-12 … 1990-02]
T30: X-Trail [2001-06 … 2013-10]
T31: X- Trail [2007-03 …]
T32: X-Trail (on a single platform with the Qashqai (J11) [2014-04 …]
T72: Bluebird [1986-07 … 1990-04]
TK3: Atleon [2011 … -10]
U11: Bluebird [… 1983-11 1990-05]
U15: Lannia [2015-09 …]
UA0: Pixo [… 2009-03 2013-08]
V10: Almera Tino [ 2005-11 … 2000-05]
V40: Quest
V41: Quest [1998-09 … 2003-05]
V42: Quest [2003-05 … 2009-06]
W10: Primera Wagon [1990-07. ..1998-01]
Y61: Patrol [1997-08 …]
Y62: Patrol [2010-01 …]
X62: NV400 (Renault Master) [2011-09 …]
X70: Interstar (Renault Master) [2002-02 …]
X76: Kubistar (Renault Kangoo) [2003-07 …]
X83: Primastar (Renault Traffic) [2002-07 …]
Y10: Sunny Wagon [1990-11 … 2000 -03]
Y60: Patrol (GR) [… 1987-08 1997-09]
Y61: Patrol (GR) [… 1997-10 2010-03]
Y62: Patrol [20 … 10-03]
Z12: Cube [2010-03 …]
Z31 to 300ZX [1984-01 … 1989-06]
Z32 to 300ZX [1990-01 … 1996-08]
Z33: Z350 / 350Z [2003-07 … 2009-04]
Z34 to 370Z [2009-04 …]
Z50: Murano [2004-11 … 2008-06]
Z51: Murano [2008-06 …]
Z52: murano [2015-07 …]
ZE0: Leaf [2010-10 …]

For Nissan vehicles made for the North American market, position 7 identifies the body type of the vehicle.

1: sedan, 4 doors;
2: sedan, 2 doors;
3: hatchback door 5;
4: coupe, 2 doors;
5: wagon, 5 doors;
6: roadster
7: pick-up
8: SUV, 5 doors

For the same vehicles, position 8 identifies their security code.

A: safety belts;
B: safety belts, 2 front airbags;
C: safety belts, 2 frontal airbags, 2 side airbags;
D: seat belts, 1 front airbags;
E: seat belts, 2 frontal airbags, 2 side airbags, side curtains;
F: safety belts, 2 frontal airbags, 2 side airbags, side curtains;
J: seatbelts wheel drive (applied until 1990)
H: safety belts, front airbags 2;
P: safety belts, Mono Drive (used until 1990)
T: unknown (applied to the fresh cars)
V: unknown (applied to the fresh cars)
W: unknown (on fresh vehicles)
Y: seat belts, four-wheel drive (used to 1990)

Position 9 for these vehicles identifies the check digit. This is an algebraically generated number that checks the validity of the VIN that is being looked up.

Position 10

For the Nissan vehicles made for the European market, this position identifies the sales region for the vehicle as well as the model year for vehicles made in Russia.

Sales Region

U: European market, Middle East and North Africa
Z: except for the markets of Europe, Middle East, North Africa and North America

For the Nissan vehicles made for the North American market, position ten identifies the model year of the vehicle. This is as indicated in the table below;

Year of Issue	Designation	Year of Issue	Designation	Year of Issue	Designation
1971	1	1991	M	2011	B
1972	2	1992	N	2012	C
1973	3	1993	P	2013	D
1974	4	1994	R	2014	E
1975	5	1995	S	2015	F
1976	6	1996	T	2016	G
1977	7	1997	V	2017	H
1978	8	1998	W	2018	J
1979	9	1999	X	2019	K
1980	A	2000	Y	2020	L
1981	B	2001	1	2021	M
1982	C	2002	2	2022	N
1983	D	2003	3	2023	P
1984	E	2004	4	2024	R
1985	F	2005	5	2025	S
1986	G	2006	6	2026	T
1987	H	2007	7	2027	V
1988	J	2008	8	2028	W
1989	K	2009	9	2029	X
1990	L	2010	A	2030	Y

Position 11

For the Nissan vehicles made for the European market, this position is a fixed code, and it is attached to the previous character.

U0: European market
U1: apart from the rest of the European markets.

For the vehicles made for the North American market, the eleventh position identifies where the vehicle was assembled.

C: Smyrna, Tennessee, USA
M: Tochigi, Japan
N: Canton, Mississippi, USA
T: Oppama, Japan
W: Kyushyu, Japan

Position 12-17

The serial number of the Nissan vehicle is represented by position twelve through seventeen of their VIN. This sequence of numbers is not standardized, and its choice depends on the preferences of the manufacturer.

Nissan VIN Number Location

The Nissan VIN can be located in the following places of the vehicle:

On the driver’s door jamb
On a plaque found on the driver’s side windshield
On the firewall of the engine bay

Nissan Models

Nissan models are as follows:

Nissan 300C
Nissan 180SX
Nissan 200SX
Nissan Lucino
Nissan 240SX
Nissan S130
Nissan 300ZX
Nissan 350Z
Nissan 370Z
Nissan AD
Nissan Almera
Nissan Almera Tino
Nissan Altima
Nissan Altra
Nissan Aprio
Nissan Armada
Nissan Avenir
Nissan Axxess
Nissan C80
Nissan Cabstar
Nissan Caravan
Nissan Cedric
Nissan Cedric Y31
Nissan Cefiro
Nissan Cherry
Nissan Cima
Nissan Civilian
Courage C41
Nissan Crew
Nissan Cube
Nissan Bassara
Nissan Be-1
Nissan Bluebird
Nissan Bluebird (U14)
Nissan Lafesta
Lambda 4S
Nissan Langely EXA
Nissan Langley
Nissan Latio
Nissan Laurel
Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leopard
Nissan Livina
Market and sales of the Nissan Leaf
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Micra
Nissan Mistral
Nissan Terrano II
Nissan Moco
Nissan Murano
Nissan P35
Nissan Pao
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Patrol
Nissan Pino
Nissan Pintara
Nissan Platina
Nissan Prairie
Nissan Presage
Nissan Presea
Nissan President
Nissan Primastar
Nissan Primera
Nissan Prince Royal
Nissan Pulsar
Nissan Pulsar EXA
Nissan Pulsar NX
Nissan E-4WD
Nissan Impendulo
Nissan Kicks
Nissan ZEOD RC
Nissan Nomad
Nissan Note
Nissan NP200
Nissan NPT-90
Nissan NV (North America)
Nissan NV200
Nissan NV400
Nissan NX
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Micra
Nissan Mistral
Nissan Terrano II
Nissan Moco
Nissan Murano
Nissan Saurus Jr.
Nissan S-Cargo
Nissan Safari
Nissan Santana
Nissan Sentra
Nissan Serena
Nissan Silvia
Sileighty
Nissan Skyline
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Nissan Diesel Space Arrow
Nissan Diesel Space Dream
Nissan Diesel Space Runner 7
Nissan Diesel Space Runner JP
Nissan Diesel Space Runner RM
Nissan Diesel Space Runner RP
Nissan Stagea
Nissan Stanza
Nissan Violet
Nissan Sunny
Nissan Sylphy
Nissan Teana
Nissan Terrano
Nissan Tiida
Nissan Titan
Nissan Trade
Nissan Tsuru

Example Decoded Nissan VIN

VIN: 1N4AL3AP2EC139325

2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Name: Nissan Altima 2.5 S

Compression Ratio: 9.6

Cylinder: 4

Size: 2.5

Displacement: 2488

Configuration: Inline

Fuel Type: Regular Unleaded

Horsepower: 182

Torque: 4000

Timing: Variable Valve Timing

Gear: Double Overhead Camshaft

Transmission Type: AUTOMATIC

Number Of Speeds: Continuously Variable

Driven Wheels: Front: wheel drive

Num Of Doors: 4

Vehicle Size: Midsize

Primary Body Type: Car

Vehicle Style: Sedan

Vehicle Type: Car

Year: 2014

Body: Sedan

Model Name: Altima Sedan

Trim: 2.5 S

Name: 2.5 SV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Body: Sedan

Highway: 38

City: 27

Options and Feature Codes

102: engine gasket kit (engine)
110: cylinder block & oil pan (engine)
111: cylinder head & rocker cover (engine)
112: engine & transmission mounting (unit)
117: fan, compressor & power steering belt (engine)
118: crankcase ventilation (engine)
120: piston & crankshaft & flywheel (engine)
130: camshaft & valve mechanism (engine)
135: front cover & fitting (engine)
140: manifold (engine)
147: EGR & second air (engine)
150: oil pump & filter (engine)
163: throttle chamber (engine)
164: fuel injection & strainer (engine)
165: air cleaner & duct (engine)
170: fuel pump (engine)
172: fuel tank (chassis)
173: fuel piping (chassis)
180: accelerator linkage (chassis)
200: exhaust tube & muffler (chassis)
208: catalyst converter (engine)
210: water pump & cooling fan & thermostat (engine)
211: water hose & piping (engine)
213: oil cooler (engine)
214: radiator (fan motor & shroud) (Denso)
220: engine ignition system (engine)
221: distributor (engine)
223: vacuum piping & canister (engine)
226: engine control unit (engine)
230: alternator fitting (engine)
231: alternator (engine)
233: starter motor (engine)
274: compressor (air conditioner) (Denso)
275: compressor bracket (engine)
276: air conditioner (engine room) (Denso)
300: clutch disc & cover (engine)
490: power steering pump (chassis)
493: power steering pump mounting (engine)
A52: engine surroundings
B00: exhaust finisher
B50: alarm, buzzer, horn
B51: engine starter
B53: electrical components, other
B62: front lamps
B63: fog lamp
B64: other lamps
B79: Puretron, other air conditioning devices
B80: stereo, TV, Navi
B83: car phone
B84: speaker
B85: corner sensor
B87: rear wiper
B88: front wiper
C49: shift knob A/T
D01: shock absorber
D33: road wheel
D36: tire chain
D84: steering
F20: front bumper surroundings
F22: neon control, pole
F38: moldings
F78: footrest
F80: instrument panel surroundings parts
G35: rack, carrier
G49: floor carpet / mat
G67: mudguard
G97: screen, blind
G98: rear finisher
H05: remote control door lock
H08: visor
H49: trunk room, luggage room
H70: seat
H79: seat cover
H80: child seat
K60: aero parts, spoiler
K62: number plate rim
K63: mirror
K69: console, armrest, interior parts
K79: stripe, sticker
K93: body cover
K95: tool kit
K98: key
K99: touch-up paint
Y10: general purpose supplies
Z73: roof trimming
Z76: body side panel & fitting
Z99: emblem & label
ZD1: drive gear
221: distributor (engine)
226: engine control unit (engine)
230: alternator fitting (engine)
231: alternator (engine)
233: starter motor (engine)
240: wiring (Denso)
244: battery & battery mounting (body)
248: meter & clock (Denso)
251: switch (Denso)
252: relay (Denso)
253: electrical unit (Denso)
260: headlamp (Denso)
262: front side lamp (Denso)
264: room lamp (Denso)
265: rear combination lamp (Denso)
266: license plate lamp (Denso)
267: lamp (other) (Denso)
268: high mount stop lamp (Denso)
270: heater & blower unit (Denso)
271: Cooling unit (Denso)
272: control unit (heater, air conditioner) (Denso)
273: nozzle & duct (heater, air conditioner) (Deso)
274: compressor (air conditioner) (Denso)
275: compressor bracket (engine)
276: air conditioner (engine room) (Denso)
278: heater piping (Denso)
280: audio & visual (Denso)
283: telephone (Denso)
284: speaker (Denso)
287: rear window wiper (Denso)
288: window shield wiper (Denso)
289: washer (front & rear) (Denso)

Find the engine code, not just the engine size

A VIN decode will tell you the displacement, but parts catalogues and repair information for Nissan are indexed by engine code rather than by liters. Codes such as QR25DE, MR20DD, VQ35DE and HR16DE identify the exact engine family, and two cars described identically as a 2.5 liter can use different parts.

The code is stamped on the engine block itself and usually appears on the vehicle information label in the engine bay or door jamb. Note it down alongside the VIN. It is the single most useful piece of information when ordering anything mechanical, and it removes the guesswork on a car that may have had an engine replaced at some point.

If your Nissan has a CVT, that matters more than anything else here

A great many Nissan models use a continuously variable transmission rather than a conventional automatic, and identifying that correctly affects two things that cost real money.

The first is fluid. Nissan CVTs take a specific CVT fluid, sold as NS-2 or NS-3 depending on the unit, and the two are not interchangeable with each other or with conventional automatic transmission fluid. Putting ordinary ATF into a CVT destroys it, because the belt depends on a fluid formulated to grip the pulleys rather than to slip. Universal fluids claiming to cover Nissan CVT applications are a false economy against the cost of the transmission.

The second is warranty. Nissan extended the powertrain coverage on the CVT for a number of model years in response to durability concerns, in some cases to ten years or one hundred and twenty thousand miles. Terms vary by model, year and market, so if you are facing a CVT repair it is worth having a dealer check your VIN against any extended coverage or campaign before you authorize work. That check is free and the difference is substantial.

What a VIN decode will not tell you

Decoding the number describes how the car left the factory. Mileage, accident history, outstanding finance, title status and theft records all live in separate databases, which is why a paid history report is a different service and why a decoder returning plausible results is not verification of anything.

Recalls are the exception worth doing yourself. Nissan and the national road safety authority will both take a VIN free of charge and tell you whether any open safety campaigns apply to that specific vehicle. Do that on any used car before you buy it.

One final check if you are buying. The VIN is also stored electronically in the engine control module. If the number read from the module does not match the plate on the car, a module has been replaced with a used unit at some point, which is usually innocent but can cause immobilizer problems. A full system scanner that supports Nissan will read the stored VIN, which is the same check a dealer would run.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the first three characters of a Nissan VIN mean?

They show where the vehicle was built. Nissans built in Japan start with JN, in the USA with 1N or 5N, and in Mexico with 3N.

Can the VIN tell me which engine my Nissan has?

On North American models, yes. The engine is encoded in the VIN, so use the position table above, then confirm with the label under the hood.

Where else is the VIN on a Nissan?

It is on the lower driver side of the windshield, on the label in the driver door jamb, and on your title and insurance documents.

Related guides: YOUCANIC VIN Decoder

Nissan VIN Decoder

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At a Glance

How To Decode Nissan VIN