How to decode a 2004 Ford Mustang VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Ford Mustang VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that forms the first segment of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing essential information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, including its name, location, and the type of vehicle. For instance, a 2004 Ford Mustang bears the WMI “1FA”, which signifies that it was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is crucial in identifying the vehicle’s origins and ensuring its authenticity. It also helps in determining specifics about the vehicle type, in this case indicating it is a passenger car. The WMI is an essential tool for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Ford Mustang

WMI: 1FA

Model Years Covered: 1981-2004, 2015-2024
Example VIN: 1FAFP42R04F134296
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Dearborn
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2004 Ford Mustang 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 2004 Ford Mustang:

Known VDS for a 2004 Ford Mustang
FP42R	FP404	FP446	FP406	FP48Y	FP444	FP49Y	FP45X	FP42X

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 2004 Ford Mustang 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 2004 Ford Mustang VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

11th Character in the 2004 Ford Mustang VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2004 Ford Mustang Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Dearborn	Michigan	United States	Dearborn	1FAFP42R04F134296

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Ford Mustang

The final 6 characters in a 2004 Ford Mustang’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Mustang’s VIN below:

How to find a 2004 Ford Mustang’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2004 Ford Mustang is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Mustang; the VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Ford Mustang for a sticker or plate where the driver’s door latches when closed, which may display the VIN.
Check under the hood; the VIN might also be located on the front of the engine block in your Ford Mustang.
Inspect the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN can be found above the tire on your Ford Mustang.
Look in the trunk under the spare tire; the VIN could be printed on an information sticker in your Ford Mustang.

What info can a 2004 Ford Mustang VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 2004, providing insights into the age and brand heritage of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The VIN describes the engine as a 4.6L V-Shaped 8-cylinder engine with a power output of 390 hp, indicating a robust and high-performance powertrain.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN identifies the vehicle as a Coupe with 2 doors, offering clues into its design and functional attributes tailored towards sportiness and style.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which, combined with the engine displacement and power, can give a rough estimation of its fuel efficiency and environmental footprint.
Plant Information: Manufacturing details such as the plant city being Dearborn, Michigan, and the country as the United States, hint at the vehicle’s production location, potentially affecting its collector’s value and parts availability.
Safety Features: Details such as the presence of front airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) and manual seat belts provide insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
Vehicle Series and Engine Info: The specific series Cobra along with additional engine info labeled as SC (Supercharged), further specifies the vehicle’s performance and market positioning, appealing to enthusiasts seeking high-performance variants.

Don’t have your 2004 Ford Mustang’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Ford Mustang

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	4600.0
Displacement (CI)	280.70922283576
Displacement (L)	4.6
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	390
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Ford
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
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	Mustang
Model Year	2004
Other Engine Info	SC
Plant City	Dearborn
Plant Company Name	Dearborn
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Michigan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Cobra
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1FAFP49Y*4F
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1FAFP49Y04F158918