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Nissan VIN, Model Line and Engine Decoding

Nissan VIN, Engine and Model Decoder

What is a VIN?
The VIN is the "Vehicle Identification Number" for your automobile or truck. This number breaks down your vehicle to illustrate such things as engine size, body style, model year, transmission type, color, etc. For vehicles newer than 1980, this is a 17 digit alphanumeric number.

Where to Find VIN Numbers?
The most common place to find your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is on a small metal plate attached to the driver side top of the dashboard. The tag is designed to be visible through the windshield for easy access. Every car is required to have one of these and all of them are located in this one place. It is illegal to remove or change this plate. If the tag is missing, chances are the vehicle has been repaired, or was most likely, stolen.

Other places where you might find your vehicles' VIN number:

  • Vehicle Identification Label in your Owner's Manual
  • Stamped on the frame under the front hood
  • On a sticker on the driver's side door pillar
  • On state vehicle registration certificate
  • On the vehicle title of ownership
  • New cars have the VIN on the price sticker
  • A label in the luggage/spare tire area

Why is this VIN so important?
The VIN gives a detailed breakdown of your vehicle so any guesswork on the application of the vehicle to find the correct parts, repair information, service procedures, etc.

Are all the letters and numbers necessary when entering my VIN?
Yes, the VIN sequence as well as properly entering each number and letter is critical. Each alphanumeric entry represents a particular feature of your vehicle so please take your time while entering the VIN and double-check it.

Still have questions? Post your questions on the Nissanhelp.com Forums

Related Links
Nissan Engine Decoder
Nissan Model Line Decoder

Example 5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Manufacturer
JN1 Japan Produce Nissan Passenger Vehicle
JN3 Japan Produce Nissan Passenger Vehicle
JN6 Japan Produce Nissan Truck & Van
JN8 Japan Produce Nissan Multi-Purpose Vehicle
1N4 USA Produce Nissan Car
1N6 USA Produce Nissan Truck
5BZ USA Produce Nissan Truck & Van
5N1 USA Produce Nissan Multi-Purpose
3N1 Mexico Produce Nissan Car
JN1 Japan Produce Nissan Car
JN3 Japan Produce Nissan Convertible
JN6 Japan Produce Nissan Van
JN8 Japan Produce Nissan Multi-Purpose Vehicle
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001 Engine Type Extended Engine Type
A VG30D, VK45DE, VQ35DE, VK56DE, VQ40DE, QR25DE
B KA24DE, SR20DE, VQ35HR, MR18DE, QR25DE
C SR20DE, VG30DETT, QG18DE
D KA24DE, QG18DE, VQ35DE,
E VE30DE, GA16DE, VG33E
F KA24E
H VG30E
M KA24DE, VG33ER
N VH45DE
R VG30DE
S KA24E
T VG33E
5N1-N-G-1-C-8-S-T-000001 Model Line Extended Model Line
A Armada, Titan, Maxima
B Sentra
C Versa (07-11)
D Truck, Xterra (00-04), Frontier
J Maxima
N Xterra (05-11)
R Pathfinder
S 240SX, Rogue (08-11)
U Altima
Z 300Z, 350Z, Murano
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Model Change (0-9)
0 No Change
Example
6 Frontier King Cab
7 Frontier Crew Cab
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Body Type
1 4-Door Sedan, Standard Body Truck
4 2-Door Coupe
5 4-Door Wagon
6 2-Door Convertible, Fastback, King Cab Truck
7 Crew Cab Truck
8 8- Door Wagon
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Miscellaneous
A Air Bag System
C Air Bag System
D Driver & Front Passenger Air Bag  + 3 Point Seat Belt
E Driver and front passenger SRS air bags, SRS side air bags, SRS curtain air bag & 3 point manual seat belt
P Passive Restraint System
S 2 Wheel Drive (2WD) - Rear ABS
T 2 Wheel Drive (2WD) - 4-Wheel ABS
Y 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) - 4-Wheel ABS
U 2WD
W AWD (4WD)
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Check Digit
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Model Year
L 1990
M 1991
N 1192
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996
V 1997
W 1998
X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
3 2003
4 2004
5 2005
6 2006
7 2007
8 2008
9 2009
A 2010
B 2011
C 2012
D 2013
E 2014
F 2015
G 2016
H 2017
J 2018
K 2019
L 2020
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Plant Code
C Smyrna, Tennessee, USA
L Aguas Calientes, Mexico
M Tochigi, Japan
N Canton, Mississippi, USA
T Tochigi, Japan
T Oppama, Japan
W Kyushyu, Japan
5N1-N-G-0-1-C-8-S-T-000001Serial Number

* For a more accurate detailed information of the VIN please see the "General Information" (GI) section of the service manual.

Nissan Engine Decoder

Example SR16VE
SR-16-VESeries
VQ Altima, Maxima, Z
SR Sentra
VG Pathfinder, Frontier
SR-16-VEDisplacement in Liters
16 1.6 Liters
18 1.8 Liters
35 3.5 Liters
37 3.7 Liters
56 5.6 Liters
SR-16-VEValve train
Absent SOHC
D DOHC
V Variable Valve Lift (VVL) plus DOHC
SR-16-VE Fuel Delivery
Absent Carburetor
E Multiport Fuel Injection
I Throttle Body Fuel Injection
D Direct Injection
SR-16-VEAbsentForced Induction
Absent  
T Single Turbo
+ R Oversize Turbo when used with T or TT prefix
TT Twin Turbo
R Supercharger (i.e; VG33ER)

Nissan Model Line Decoder

Model Line Model
310 Nissan Sedan/Wagon
410/1 Nissan 410/1
510 Nissan 510
520/1 Nissan 520 (Truck)
60 Nissan Patrol
610S Nissan 610 Sedan
610W Nissan 610 Wagon
620 Nissan 620 Truck
710S Nissan 710 Sedan
710W Nissan 710 Wagon
720 Nissan 720 Truck
810 Nissan 810
910 Nissan 810 Maxima
A10 Nissan 510 (78-81)
A32 Nissan Maxima (1995-1999)
A33 Nissan Maxima (2000-2003)
A34 Nissan Maxima (2004-2009)
A35 Nissan Maxima (2010-2012)
A60 Nissan Titan (2003-2012)
B11 Nissan Sentra (83-86)
B110 Nissan 1200
B12 Nissan Sentra (1987-1990)
B13 Nissan Sentra (1991-1994)
B14 Nissan Sentra (1995-1999)
B15 Nissan Sentra (2000-2006)
B16 Nissan Sentra (2006-2012)
B210 Nissan B210
B310 Nissan 210
C11 Nissan Versa (2007-2012)
CL32 Nissan Altima Coupe (2008-2012)
D21 Nissan Hardbody Truck (86.5-97)
D22 Nissan Frontier Truck (98~)
E52 Nissan Quest (2011-2012))
F10 Nissan F10
F15 Nissan JUKE (2011-2012)
F80 Nissan NV
GC22 Nissan Van
HL32 Nissan Altima Hybrid (2007-2011)
J30 Nissan Maxima (89-94)
KN13 Nissan Pulsar 87-90)
L30 Nissan Alt (98-01)
L31 Nissan Altima (02~)
M10 Nissan Stanza Wagon
M11 Nissan Axxess
N10 Nissan 310
N12 Nissan Pulsar (83-86)
N50 Nissan Nissan Xterra (2005-2012)
R35 Nissan GTR (2009-2012)
R50 Nissan Pathfinder (1996-2004)
R51 Nissan Pathfinder (2005-2012)
S10 Nissan 200SX (77-79)
S110 Nissan 200SX (80-83)
S12 Nissan 200SX (84-88)
S13 Nissan 240SX (89-94)
S130 Nissan 280ZX (79-83)
S14 Nissan 240SX (95-98)
S30 Nissan 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, (70-78)
S35 Nissan Rogue(2008-2012)
SPSR Nissan Roadster
T11 Nissan Stanza
T12 Nissan Stanza
TA60 Nissan Armada (2004-2012)
U11 Nissan Maxima (86-88)
U12 Nissan Stanza (90-92)
U13 Nissan Altima (93-97)
V40 Nissan Quest (93-98)
V41 Nissan Quest (2000-2002))
V42 Nissan Quest (2004-2010))
WD21 Nissan Pathfinder (86-95)
WD22 Nissan Xterra (2000-2004)
Z12 Nissan CUBE (2009-2012)
Z31 Nissan 300ZX (84-89)
Z32 Nissan 300ZX (90-96)
Z50 Nissan Murano (2003-2007)
Z51 Nissan Murano (2009-2012)