How to decode a 1996 Ford Escort VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Escort VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that distinguishes where, by which company, and in what country a vehicle was manufactured. For instance, the WMI for a 1996 Ford Escort manufactured by Ford Motor Company in locations such as Dearborn, Michigan, USA, or Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico, begins with “1FA” for the United States models and “3FA” for those made in Mexico. These identifiers are the initial three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), indicating the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. Specifically, for the 1996 Ford Escort, this detail is crucial for understanding its origin, ensuring compatibility of parts, and verifying authenticity. The WMI thus serves as a foundational element in vehicle identification and international automotive recognition.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Escort
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986, 1988-1999
- Example VIN: 1FASP11J9TW179177
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States WMI: 3FA
- Model Years Covered: 1991-2002
- Example VIN: 3FASP11J2TR129272
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Rioverde
- State or Province: S.L.P.
- Country: Mexico
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Ford Escort VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1996 Ford Escort:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Ford Escort | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP11J | SP15J | SP13J | SP10J | SP14J |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1996 Ford Escort VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 1996 Ford Escort VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Ford Escort VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | Hermosillo | State Of Mexico | Mexico | 3FASP11J2TR129272 | |
| W | Wayne | Michigan | United States | 1FASP11J9TW179177 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Escort
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford Escort’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford Escort’s VIN below:
How to find a 1996 Ford Escort’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 Ford Escort is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Escort, specifically at the area near the windshield where it’s commonly displayed on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Ford Escort. There’s typically a sticker or label with the VIN where the door latches when it is closed.
- Examine the engine block of your Ford Escort. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check underneath the spare tire in the trunk of your Ford Escort. Sometimes the VIN is located in that area.
- Scan through your Ford Escort’s vehicle registration documents, as the VIN is always recorded on official vehicle paperwork.
What info can a 1996 Ford Escort VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may point to the vehicle’s model year as 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The Ford Escort is equipped with a 1.9-liter engine, offering a glimpse into its performance capabilities, with an in-line configuration producing about 88 horsepower.
- Fuel Type: The vehicle runs on gasoline, which could be a critical factor for those considering fuel efficiency and operating costs.
- Safety Features: Key safety features include airbags located in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), highlighting the vehicle’s protective measures.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN details the body class as a Wagon with 4 doors, providing insights into the vehicle’s size, utility, and style.
- Manufacturing Details: Manufactured in Wayne, Michigan, United States, this detail informs about the vehicle’s production origin, potentially affecting parts availability and serviceability.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Classified under Class 1, indicating it weighs 6,000 lb or less, this information is important for understanding vehicle handling, performance, and restrictions.
Don’t have your 1996 Ford Escort’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Escort
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Destination Market | Canada |
| Displacement (CC) | 1851.73823200 |
| Displacement (CI) | 113.00 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.90 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 88.00 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | Escort |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belts: Passive Belts(front)/ Active Belts( rear) |
| Plant City | Wayne |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual and Automatic |
| Trim | LX |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FASP15J*TW |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FASP15J1TW162268 |
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