How to decode a 2000 Ford Escort VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Ford Escort VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, representing the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The WMI for the 2000 Ford Escort, “3FA”, notably designates Ford Motor Company’s manufacturing facilities in Mexico, particularly in Rioverde, S.L.P. This code not only specifies the manufacturer but also provides information about the vehicle’s type and production location. In the case of the 2000 Ford Escort, the “3FA” WMI reveals that this passenger car was produced by Ford in Mexico, offering insights into its origin and production standards. Understanding the WMI is essential for accurately identifying vehicles and their manufacturing backgrounds.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Ford Escort

WMI: 3FA

Model Years Covered: 1991-2002
Example VIN: 3FAFP13P0YR185138
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 2000 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 2000 Ford Escort:

Known VDS for a 2000 Ford Escort
FP13P

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 2000 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 2000 Ford Escort VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

11th Character in the 2000 Ford Escort VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Hermosillo	Sonora	Mexico		3FAFP13P0YR185138

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Ford Escort

The final 6 characters in a 2000 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 2000 Ford Escort’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 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 2000, near where the windshield meets the dash. It should be visible through the windshield.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb for a label or sticker on your Ford Escort 2000, which may contain the VIN where the door latches when closed.
Check the engine block of your Ford Escort 2000, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Review your Ford Escort 2000’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, which will list the VIN along with other important vehicle details.
If you possess the owner’s manual or service book for your Ford Escort 2000, look inside as it may have a section where the VIN was recorded.
Inspect the trunk area under the spare tire or look for a label in the trunk lid of your Ford Escort 2000; sometimes the VIN is placed in these areas.

What info can a 2000 Ford Escort VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 2000, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: It can be inferred that the 2000 Ford Escort features an In-Line engine configuration with a displacement of 2.0 liters or 122.047 cubic inches, manufactured by Ford, indicating the engine’s design and capacity.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, highlighting its energy source which informs fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The 2000 Ford Escort is equipped with front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, indicating the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: Classified as a Passenger Car with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, which specifies the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Falls within Class 1, indicating a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, which can influence licensing requirements and usage classifications.
Manufacturing Information: It seems that the 2000 Ford Escort was assembled in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, this detail aids in tracking the vehicle’s origin, which can affect parts availability and market value.

Don’t have your 2000 Ford Escort’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Ford Escort

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Destination Market	U.S.
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	110
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	2000
Other Engine Info	SPI: Split Port Induction - EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection
Plant City	Hermosillo
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Sonora
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	SE
Vehicle Descriptor	3FAFP13P*YR
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3FAFP13P0YR185138