How to decode a 1998 Ford Escort VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Ford Escort VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. For the 1998 Ford Escort, the WMI is “1FA,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. These codes not only identify the manufacturer but also provide insights into the vehicle type and country of assembly. The WMI is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is used globally to distinguish individual motor vehicles. Thus, the “1FA” WMI code for the 1998 Ford Escort helps in tracing its origins back to Ford’s manufacturing facilities in the United States.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Ford Escort

WMI: 1FA

Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986, 1988-1999
Example VIN: 1FAFP13P0WW117030
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: 3FAKP1130WR200376
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 1998 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 1998 Ford Escort:

Known VDS for a 1998 Ford Escort
FP13P	KP113	FP15P	FP10P	FP113	LP15P	LP113

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 1998 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 1998 Ford Escort VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Ford Escort VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Hermosillo	Sonora	Mexico		3FAKP1130WR200376
W	Wayne	Michigan	United States		1FAFP13P0WW117030

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Ford Escort

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Ford Escort’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 1998 Ford Escort’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Ford Escort is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard of your 1998 Ford Escort on the driver’s side. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Inspect the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door on your Ford Escort, as the sticker there often includes the VIN.
Examine the engine block, as the VIN can sometimes be engraved on the engine of your 1998 Ford Escort.
Look at the vehicle’s firewall; there might be a plate or label with the VIN affixed to this area in your Ford Escort.
Check your vehicle registration documents or insurance card for the VIN of your 1998 Ford Escort, as these documents always contain such information.

What info can a 1998 Ford Escort VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the car.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN decode highlights the car as a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and accessibility features.
Engine Specifications: From the VIN, it’s evident that the vehicle is powered by a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder engine configured in-line, capable of delivering 130 horsepower, signifying a balance of power and efficiency for its class.
Fuel Efficiency: The VIN indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, providing insights into its energy source and potential fuel economy traits.
Safety Features: Key safety features identified include front airbags for both driver and passenger and manual seat belts with 3-point belts in all outboard positions, showing a focus on occupant protection.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides information that the car was assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico, by Ford, offering insights into its production origins and the manufacturer’s global footprint.
Vehicle Identification: Specific model details such as the Ford Escort ZX2 Sport can be revealed, with the VIN serving as a unique identifier for this particular set of specifications.

Don’t have your 1998 Ford Escort’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Ford Escort

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Destination Market	U.S.
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	130
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	1998
Other Engine Info	EFI
Other Restraint System Info	Second Generation Driver and Passenger Airbags - Valid for Escort ZX2 Coupe Only
Plant City	Hermosillo
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Sonora
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	ZX2
Trim	Sport
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	3FAKP113*WR
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3FAKP1130WR200376