Subaru VIN positions in the 2026 filing
Subaru's model year 2026 filing covers 12 Subaru models (Subaru: Forester, Forester Hybrid, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek, Crosstrek Hybrid, Ascent, WRX, BRZ, Solterra, Trailseeker, Uncharted) with 92 codes.
Layout used by Forester, Forester Hybrid, Impreza, Crosstrek, Crosstrek Hybrid, Ascent, WRX
Model identified by positions 4 and 8 with the first 3 characters.
| Pos. | What it encodes | Example: Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Maker code (WMI) | 4S4 = SUBARU CORPORATION, MPV |
| 4 | Make, line, series | S = SUBARU FORESTER |
| 5 | Body type | L = Wagon |
| 6 | Engine type | D = 2.5L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 180HP |
| 7 | Trim level | A = Base Plus |
| 8 | Restraint system and GVWR class | 6 = Manual belt + driver and front passenger frontal air bags + front seat-mounted side air bag on seat backs + 1st and 2nd row roof-mounted side curtain air bags + driver knee air bag + front passenger seat cushion air bag, GVWR Class C (GVWR4001-5000lbs) |
| 9 | Check digit | calculated from the other 16 |
| 10 | Model year | T = 2026 |
| 11 | Assembly plant | 3 = SIA (Lafayette, Indiana), Full-time AWD CVT transmission |
| 12-17 | Serial number |
Layout used by Outback, BRZ
Model identified by positions 4-5 and 8 with the first 3 characters.
| Pos. | What it encodes | Example: Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Maker code (WMI) | JF2 = SUBARU CORPORATION, MPV |
| 4-5 | Make, line, series, body type | BU = SUBARU OUTBACK |
| 6 | Engine type | P = 2.5L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 180HP, U5 |
| 7 | Trim level and options | A = Premium |
| 8 | Restraint system and GVWR class | D = Manual belt + driver and front passenger frontal air bags + front seat-mounted side air bag on seat backs + 1st and 2nd row roof-mounted side curtain air bags + driver knee air bag + front passenger seat cushion air bag, GVWR Class D (GVWR 5001-6000 lbs) |
| 9 | Check digit | calculated from the other 16 |
| 10 | Model year | T = 2026 |
| 11 | Assembly plant | Y = Yajima Plant, Japan, Full-time AWD CVT transmission |
| 12-17 | Serial number |
Layout used by Solterra, Trailseeker, Uncharted
Model identified by positions 4-8 with the first 3 characters.
| Pos. | What it encodes | Example: Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Maker code (WMI) | JTM = Toyota Motor Corporation, Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| 4-8 | Vehicle description (body, motors, restraint, series, drive, line, GVWR) | BCAEC = 5Door Wagon, 2XM, 167 kW, 1, SEAT BELT: All seats, FRONTAL AIRBAG: Driver & Passenger seats, CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG: 1st & 2nd rows, SIDE AIRBAG: 1st row, KNEE AIRBAG: Driver & Passenger seats, 11 Series, Forward-Wheel Drive, Solterra, ClassD (5,001–6,000 lbs) |
| 9 | Check digit | calculated from the other 16 |
| 10 | Model year | T = 2026 |
| 11 | Assembly plant | J = Takaoka Plant, Toyota Motor Corp. |
| 12-17 | Serial number |
Subaru engine codes, position 6
18 engines across 12 models; a code is valid only with the models listed next to it.
| Code | Engine as printed | Models |
|---|---|---|
| D | 2.5L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 180HP | Forester |
| S | 2.5L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 162HP, Motor 77Kw | Forester Hybrid |
| P | 2.5L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 180HP, U5 | Outback |
| R | 2.4L Turbo 4-Cylinders Gasoline 260HP, U4 | Outback |
| A | 2.0L NA 4Cylinders Gasoline 152HP | Impreza |
| H | 2.5L NA 4Cylinders Gasoline 180HP | Impreza, Crosstrek |
| S | 2.5L NA 4Cylinders Gasoline SHEV 162HP Motor 77kw | Crosstrek Hybrid |
| A | 2.4L Turbo 4-Cylinders Gasoline 260HP | Ascent |
| A | 2.4L DIB Turbo 4-Cylinders Gasoline 271HP | WRX |
| B | 2.4L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 228HP | BRZ |
| BCAEC | 2XM, 167 kW | Solterra |
| BDAFC | 2XM, 167 kW, 3XM, 88.3 kW | Solterra |
| BEAGC | 2XM, 87 kW, 3XM, 88.3 kW | Solterra |
| BCAJC | 2XM Motor, 167KW | Trailseeker |
| BGAHC | 2XM Motor, 167KW, 2XM Motor, 167KW | Trailseeker |
| AAAAE | 2XM Motor, 167kW, 3XM Motor, 88.3kW | Uncharted |
| ABABE | 2XM Motor, 167kW | Uncharted |
| ACABE | 2XM Motor, 124.4kW | Uncharted |
Subaru maker codes (first 3 characters)
| Code | Manufacturer | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 4S4 | SUBARU CORPORATION | MPV |
| JF1 | SUBARU CORPORATION | Passenger car |
| JF2 | SUBARU CORPORATION | MPV |
| JTM | Toyota Motor Corporation | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
Subaru plant codes (position 11)
| Code | Assembly plant |
|---|---|
| 3 | SIA (Lafayette, Indiana), Full-time AWD CVT transmission |
| Y | Yajima Plant, Japan, Full-time AWD CVT transmission |
| 8 | Main Plant, Japan, Full-time AWD CVT transmission |
| 9 | Main Plant, Japan, Full-time AWD 6MT transmission |
| J | Takaoka Plant, Toyota Motor Corp. |
| A | Motomachi Plant, Toyota Motor Corp. |
Source
"Subaru Part 565 VIN re 26MY (Fifth Submission).pdf" (9/2/2026); "26-004-00 Solterra.pdf" (11/14/2025); "26-028-00 Subaru Trailseeker.pdf" (1/16/2026); "26-010-00 Uncharted.pdf" (1/14/2026) (SUBARU CORPORATION (filed by North American Subaru, Inc.); Toyota Motor Corporation for Solterra, Trailseeker, Uncharted, NHTSA Manufacturer Information Database, retrieved October 2, 2026). Older years and general VIN rules: VIN decoder. Not affiliated with SUBARU CORPORATION (filed by North American Subaru, Inc.); Toyota Motor Corporation for Solterra, Trailseeker, Uncharted.
Questions
How do I decode a Subaru VIN?
Enter all 17 characters. Take the made-up example JF2BUPAD9TY100001: positions 4 to 5 (BU) give SUBARU OUTBACK; position 8 (D) gives Manual belt + driver and front passenger frontal air bags + front seat-mounted side air bag on seat backs + 1st and 2nd row roof-mounted side curtain air bags + driver knee air bag + front passenger seat cushion air bag, GVWR Class D (GVWR 5001-6000 lbs), so it reads as a 2026 Subaru Outback.
Which VIN character is the engine code on a Subaru?
Position 6. On a model year 2026 Subaru Forester, D is 2.5L NA 4-Cylinders Gasoline 180HP. Read it together with the model: codes differ between models and years.
What does 4S4 mean on a VIN?
4S4 is SUBARU CORPORATION, MPV.
Which plant built my Subaru?
Position 11 is the plant. In the model year 2026 filing: 3 is SIA (Lafayette, Indiana), Full-time AWD CVT transmission; Y is Yajima Plant, Japan, Full-time AWD CVT transmission; 8 is Main Plant, Japan, Full-time AWD CVT transmission.