How to read a Ford VIN
Ford follows the federal 17-character layout and files its own codes with NHTSA every model year. In its model year 2027 filing, the positions mean:
| Position | On a Ford truck, SUV or van | On a Ford car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Maker code (WMI): who built it, in which country, and the vehicle type | |
| 4 | Brake system, GVWR class and restraint system | Restraint system |
| 5 to 7 | Line, series, drive, cab or body type | |
| 8 | Engine: displacement, cylinders, fuel type and engine maker | |
| 9 | Check digit | |
| 10 | Model year (V = 2027) | |
| 11 | Assembly plant | |
| 12 to 17 | Serial number: A00001 to J99999 for Ford, L00001 to L99999 for Lincoln | Serial number: 100001 to 699999 |
The decoder above reads all of these from Ford's own tables for model year 2027 Fords and Lincolns (Ford Mustang GTD, Ford Bronco Sport, Ford Econoline, Ford Expedition, Ford Explorer, Ford F-150, Ford Maverick, Ford Super Duty F-250 F-350, Ford Super Duty F-450 F-550 F-600, Ford Super Duty F-650 F-750, Ford Transit, Lincoln Aviator, Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Nautilus, Lincoln Navigator). For other years it still checks the VIN, the year and the check digit, and the NHTSA lookup decodes the rest from Ford's filing for that year.
Ford engine codes: the 8th digit of the VIN
Position 8 is the engine. The same letter can mean a different engine on another model or in another year, so always read it together with the model. On a 2027 F-150, 5 is the 5.0L V8 and C is the 3.0L GTDI V6. The full list from Ford's model year 2027 filing:
| Model | Position 8 | Engine | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang GTD | J | 5.2L Predator, V8 | Gasoline |
| Ford Bronco Sport | N | 1.5L DRAGON, I3 | Gasoline |
| Ford Bronco Sport | A | 2.0L GTDI, I4 | Gasoline |
| Ford Econoline | N | 7.3L, V-8 Prem | Gasoline |
| Ford Expedition | G | 3.5L GTDI - High, V6 | FFV/Gasoline |
| Ford Expedition | 8 | 3.5L GTDI - Standard, V6 | FFV/Gasoline |
| Ford Explorer | B | 3.3L Ti-VCT, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford Explorer | H | 2.3L Ti-VCT, I-4 | Gasoline |
| Ford Explorer | W | 3.3L Ti-VCT, D4 | Hybrid/Electric |
| Ford Explorer | C | 3.0L GTDI, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford F-150 | C | 3.0L GTDI, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford F-150 | 8 | 3.5L GTDI, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford F-150 | D | 3.5L HEV, V-6 | HEV |
| Ford F-150 | 5 | 5.0L-4V, V-8 | Gasoline |
| Ford F-150 | G | 3.5L GTDI High Output, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford F-150 | J | 5.2L, V-8 | Gasoline |
| Ford Maverick | 3 | 2.5L Hybrid, I4 | Gas/Electric |
| Ford Maverick | A | 2.0L Ecoboost, l4 | Gasoline |
| Ford Super Duty F-250 F-350 | N | 7.3L, V-8 | Gasoline |
| Ford Super Duty F-250 F-350 | M | 6.7L HO, V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-250 F-350 | T | 6.7L, V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-450 F-550 F-600 | N | 7.3L, V-8 | Gasoline |
| Ford Super Duty F-450 F-550 F-600 | M | 6.7L HO, V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-450 F-550 F-600 | T | 6.7L, V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-650 F-750 | C | 6.7L (Standard), V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-650 F-750 | E | 6.7L (Medium), V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-650 F-750 | X | 6.7L (High), V-8 | Diesel |
| Ford Super Duty F-650 F-750 | N | 7.3L, V-8 | Gas/ Gaseous Prep |
| Ford Transit | 8 | 3.5L V6 Cyclone, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford Transit | G | 3.5L EcoBoost V6, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Ford Transit | M | BEV Engine #2 | Electric (89KWhr) |
| Lincoln Aviator | C | 3.0L GTDI, V-6 | Gasoline |
| Lincoln Corsair | 4 | 2.0L GTDI | FHEV |
| Lincoln Nautilus | A | 2.0L GTDI A, l4 | Gasoline |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 4 | 2.0L GTDI B, I4 | FHEV |
| Lincoln Navigator | G | 3.5L GTDI - High, V6 | FFV/Gasoline |
The engine names are copied as Ford printed them; HEV is a hybrid.
Ford maker codes: the first 3 characters
The first character is the country: 1 and 5 for the United States, 2 for Canada, 3 for Mexico, and NM0 is Ford's European plant. The next characters mark Ford (F) or Lincoln (LM, LD) and the vehicle type:
| First 3 characters | Manufacturer | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1FA | Ford Motor Company, USA | Passenger Car |
| 2FA | Ford Motor Company, Canada, Ltd. | Passenger Car |
| 1FB | Ford Motor Company, USA | Bus |
| 1FM | Ford Motor Company, USA | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| 1FT | Ford Motor Company, USA | Truck - Completed Vehicle |
| 2FM | Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| 2LM | Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| 3FM | Ford Motor Company, Mexico | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| 3FT | Ford Motor Company, Mexico | Truck - Completed Vehicle |
| 5LM | Ford Motor Company, USA | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| NM0 | Ford Motor Company, Europe | Truck - Completed Vehicle |
| 1FC | Ford Motor Company, USA | Basic (Stripped) Chassis |
| 1F6 | Detroit Chassis LLC, USA | Basic (Stripped) Chassis |
| 1FD | Ford Motor Company, USA | Incomplete Vehicle |
| 5LD | Ford Motor Company, USA | Incomplete Vehicle - Limousine |
The Super Duty pages of the filing also use 2FD and 2FT, which are not in the summary table above.
Ford plant codes: the 11th digit
Position 11 is the assembly plant. Codes from Ford's model year 2027 filing:
| Position 11 | Assembly plant |
|---|---|
| B | Oakville: Oakville, Ontario |
| D | Ohio Assembly: Avon Lake, Ohio |
| E | Kentucky Truck: Louisville, Kentucky |
| F | Dearborn: Dearborn, Michigan |
| G | Chicago: Chicago, Illinois |
| H | Multimatic: Ontario, Canada |
| J | Hangzhou: Hangzhou, China |
| K | Kansas City; Claycomo, Missouri |
| L | Michigan Assembly: Wayne, Michigan |
| M | Cuautitlan: Cuautitlan, Mexico |
| N | Chicago SHO Center, Chicago, Illinois |
| R | Hermosillo: Hermosillo, Mexico |
| W | Rouge Electric: Dearborn, MI |
| 0 | Detroit Empowerment Zone: Detroit, MI* |
| 5 | Flat Rock Assembly Plant (AAI): Flat Rock, MI |
| U | Louisville Assembly Plant: Louisville, Kentucky |
| A | Chongqing Plant; China (Lincoln Corsair page) |
Ford's filing marks plant 0 with a note: Detroit Chassis LLC and MSX International.
Model year on a Ford VIN
Position 10 is the model year, with the same codes for every make: T is 2026, V is 2027, W is 2028. The VIN decoder page has the full year table and explains how position 7 tells 1996 from 2026.
Older Fords and 11-digit VINs
Ford's codes change from year to year, so the tables on this page are for model year 2027. For any Ford from 1981 on, the NHTSA lookup decodes the VIN from Ford's filing for that year. Fords built before 1981, such as a 1965 to 1970 Mustang, have a shorter VIN in Ford's older format, which this page does not decode.
What a Ford VIN does not tell you
The VIN does not list options, paint or the window sticker. A Ford or Lincoln dealer can usually look up the build details from the VIN. Recalls are checked by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source
All Ford codes on this page come from Ford Motor Company's VIN filing to NHTSA for model year 2027 ("2027 MY VIN Attachment, Rev 3", table of contents dated August 6, 2026), published in NHTSA's Manufacturer Information Database and retrieved on October 2, 2026. Where the filing is inconsistent, the decoder shows what Ford printed on the model's own page. RPMkit is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
Questions
How do I decode a Ford VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN above. For a 2027 Ford or Lincoln, the page shows the model, series, engine, GVWR, airbags and plant from Ford's own codes; for other years, Decode VIN looks it up in NHTSA's database.
What does the 8th digit of a Ford VIN mean?
It is the engine code. On a 2027 F-150, 5 is the 5.0L V8, C is the 3.0L GTDI V6 and D is the 3.5L hybrid V6. The same code can mean another engine on a different model or year.
What does 1FT mean on a Ford VIN?
1FT is Ford Motor Company, USA, truck (completed vehicle). 1FA is a passenger car, 1FM a multipurpose passenger vehicle such as an SUV, and 5LM a Lincoln SUV.
Which plant built my Ford?
Read position 11. On 2027 models, F is Dearborn, Michigan, K is Kansas City (Claycomo, Missouri), E is Kentucky Truck, and R is Hermosillo, Mexico.
Can I decode a classic Ford or Mustang VIN here?
Not one built before 1981: those VINs are shorter and use Ford's older format. For 1981 and later, the NHTSA lookup works.
Does a Ford VIN show the options and colour?
No. The VIN codes the model, series, body, engine and restraints. A Ford or Lincoln dealer can usually pull the build details from the VIN.