Subaru VIN Decoder

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

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

HOW TO DECODE SUBARU VIN

Position 1

Position one of the Subaru VIN identifies the country where the vehicle was assembled.

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

Position 2

The second position in the Subaru VIN is used to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer.

Position 3

Position three identifies the manufacturer’s brand division. This character pinpoints the exact brand division regardless of the manufacturer’s number of divisions.

These first three Subaru VIN positions are known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). The WMI codes for Subaru are as follows:

Make	WMI	Manufacturer	Brand Owner	Country Code	Country
SUBARU	4S3	Subaru-Isuzu of America (USA)	GM	4S	USA
SUBARU	4S4	Subaru-Isuzu of America (USA)	GM	4S	USA
SUBARU	JF1	Fuji Heavy Industries (J)	GM	JF	Japan
SUBARU	JF2	Fuji Heavy Industries (J)	GM	JF	Japan
SUBARU	JF3	Fuji Heavy Industries (J)	GM	JF	Japan
SUBARU	JF4	Fuji Heavy Industries (J)	GM	JF	Japan
SUBARU	JFB	Fuji Heavy Industries (J)	GM	JF	Japan

Position 4

For Subaru vehicles released until 1998, this position identifies the model line of the vehicle.

• A: Alcyone / XT / XT6 (all with a coupe)
• B: Legacy / Baja
• C: SVX
• G: Impreza

Position four identifies the vehicle’s model line for modern Subaru models released for the European market and those released for the North American market.

• B: Legacy
• G: Impreza
• S: Forester
• W: (B9) Tribeca

Position 5

Position five represents the body type of Subaru.

E: Legacy sedan
G: Legacy Wagon

D: Impreza (sedan)
G: Impreza (touring)
F: Forester;
K: Legacy (station wagon);
L: Legacy (sedan);
P: Outback;
X-B9 Tribeca

Position 6

Position six on the Subaru VIN identifies the vehicle’s engine type and wheel formula.

For Subaru vehicles released until the year 1998

• 3: 1.8 liters, 4×4
• 4: 2.0 liters, 4×2
• 5: 2.0 liters, 4×4
• 7: 2.2 liters, 4×4
• 9: 2.5 liters, 4×4

Modern Subaru models released for the European market

• 4: 1.6 liters
• 5: 1.6 liters
• 8: 3.0 liters
• 9: 2.0 liters
• G: 2.5 liters
• F: 2.5 liters

Modern Subaru models released for the North American market

• 2: 1.8 liters 4×2
• 3: 3.0 liters 4×2
• 4: 2.2 liters of 4×4
• 6: 2.5 liters 4×4
• 8: 3.0 liters of 4×4

Position 7

This position identifies the steering wheel position of the vehicle.

• L: left
• R: right

Position 8

For Subaru vehicles released until 1998, and the modern ones released for the European market, position eight is held by a character that identifies the power supply system and the vehicle’s transmission type.

• J: SOHC, gasoline, distributed injection, manual gearbox, 4×4
• R: SOHC, gasoline, distributed injection, automatic gearbox
• G: SOHC, gasoline, distributed injection, manual gearbox, 4×2

For modern Subaru models released for the North American market, position eight identifies the safety systems incorporated in the vehicle.

• 2: automatic seat belts
• 5: seat belts, two front airbags
• 6: seat belts, two front airbags, side airbags
• C: seat belts, two front airbags, side airbags, side air curtains

Position 9

Position nine identifies the vehicle’s drive system for Subaru vehicles released until 1998, and the modern ones released for the European market.

3: all-wheel drive, manual gearbox without a downshift
4: all-wheel drive, manual gearbox with a reduction gear
5: all-wheel drive, automatic gearbox
9: front-wheel drive, manual

Position 10: Model Year

Position ten of the Subaru VIN represents the production year of the vehicle. This is shown 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

Position eleven of the Subaru VIN identifies the assembly plant of the vehicle.

G: factory in Ota city, pref. Gunma, Japan

For modern Subaru vehicles made for the North American market, position eleven identifies the vehicle’s assembly place and its transmission type.

• 6: Subaru of Indiana Automotive (USA), 4×4 manual
• 7: Subaru of Indiana Automotive (USA), 4×4 automatic gearbox
• 8: Subaru of Indiana Automotive (USA), 4×4 automatic gearbox
• C: plant in Ota city Gunma, Japan, 4×2 automatic gearbox
• G: factory in Ota city, Gunma, Japan, 4×4 manual
• H: factory in Ota city, Gunma, Japan, 4×4 automatic

Position 12 to 17: Serial Number

Position twelve through seventeen of the Subaru VIN is held by a set of digits representing the vehicle™s serial number. This set of numbers is used to pinpoint the exact vehicle being looked up. The numbers are not standardized, and their choice solely depends on the vehicle manufacturer.

SUBARU MODELS

Subaru models are listed below:

• Subaru 360
• Subaru 450
• Subaru 1000
• Subaru 1500
• Subaru 1600
• Subaru Alcyone SVX
• Subaru Alcyone
• Subaru B9sc
• Subaru Baja
• Subaru Bighorn
• Subaru BRAT
• Subaru Brumby
• Subaru BRZ
• Subaru BRZ Concept STI
• Subaru Dex
• Subaru Elaion
• Subaru Exiga
• Subaru FF-1 Star
• Subaru Fiori
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru G
• Subaru G3X Justy
• Subaru Impreza
• Subaru Justy
• Subaru Legacy
• Subaru Legacy (first generation)
• Subaru Legacy (second generation)
• Subaru Legacy (third generation)
• Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)
• Subaru Legacy (fifth generation)
• Subaru Legacy (sixth generation)
• Subaru Leone
• Subaru Levorg
• Subaru Liberty
• Subaru Liberty Exiga
• Subaru Lucra
• Subaru Mini Jumbo
• Subaru Outback
• Subaru Outback Sport
• Subaru Pleo
• Prodrive P2
• Subaru R1
• Subaru R1e
• Subaru R2
• Subaru Rex
• Subaru Sambar
• Subaru Stella
• Subaru: Elten
• Subaru R-2
• Subaru Sumo
• Subaru Traviq
• Subaru Trezia
• Subaru Tribeca
• Subaru Vivio
• Subaru Vortex
• Subaru WRX
• Subaru XT

EXAMPLE DECODED SUBARU VIN

VIN: 4S4BRBAC4E3274483

2014 Subaru Outback

Manufacturer: Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc

Product Type: Multi-Purpose Vehicle

Make: Subaru

Model: Outback

Trim: Base (without AL wheel + Power seat or with AL wheel)

Body: Wagon

Drive: AWD/ All-wheel drive

Engine Displacement (cc): 2500

Engine model: 2.5NA U5

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Model Year: 2014

Plant Country: USA

Plant City: Lafayette

Plant State: Indiana

OPTIONS AND FEATURE CODES

• Exterior and Interior Auto-Dimming Mirrors
• Exterior and Interior Auto-Dimming Mirrors with Home link
• Rockford Fosgate Premium Audio Upgrade
• Side Sill Plate
• All-Weather Floor Mats
• Auto-Dimming Mirror with Compass
• Auto-Dimming Mirror with Compass and Home Link
• Cargo Tray: 4Dr
• Footwell Illumination Kit: Blue
• Sun Shade
• Shift Knob: Leather 5MT
• STI Shift Knob 5M/T: Leather & Aluminum
• STI Black Duracon Shift Knob 5MT
• STI Short Throw Shifter
• Door Edge Guards: Crystal Black Silica
• Body Side Molding: Crystal Black close; Color-matched moldings that help to protect doors
• Body Side Molding: Carbide Gray
• Body Side Molding: Crystal White Pearl
• Body Side Molding: Ice Silver
• Body Side Molding: Island Blue
• Body Side Molding: Lapis Blue Pearl
• Body Side Molding: Venetian Red
• Bumper Applique Rear
• Door Edge Guards: Carbide Gray Metallic
• Door Edge Guards: Crystal White Pearl
• Door Edge Guards: Ice Silver Metallic
• Door Edge Guards: Island Blue Pearl
• Door Edge Guards: Lapis Blue Pearl
• Door Edge Guards: Venetian Red
• Exterior Auto-Dimming Mirror with Approach Light
• Fog Lamp Kit
• Splash Guards
• Sports Mesh Grille
• Wheel Locks: Steel Wheels

Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Subaru.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the VIN on a Subaru?

Look through the windshield at the lower driver side corner, on the driver’s door jamb label, and on your registration and insurance cards.

What does JF1 or JF2 mean in a Subaru VIN?

JF1 is used for Subaru passenger cars built in Japan and JF2 for Subaru SUVs and crossovers built in Japan. US built models from Indiana start with 4S3 or 4S4.

How do I find the model year from a Subaru VIN?

Look at the 10th character. Each letter or number stands for a model year.

Related guides: YOUCANIC VIN Decoder

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