How to decode a 2018 Toyota Highlander VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Toyota Highlander VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) forms the initial three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. It offers specific details about where a vehicle was made, the manufacturer’s identity, and the vehicle type. For example, the WMI “5TD” specifies vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., specifically highlighting their expertise in producing Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs) like the Toyota Highlander. This particular WMI points to the vehicle being assembled in Princeton, Indiana, United States, indicating its American manufacturing origin within the specified model years of 2010-2024. This identifier ensures that every Toyota Highlander produced in Indiana can be traced back to its factory, showcasing the importance of WMIs in vehicle tracking and identification.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Toyota Highlander

WMI: 5TD

Model Years Covered: 2010-2024
Example VIN: 5TDZZRFH0JS234877
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Princeton
State or Province: Indiana
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 Toyota Highlander 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 2018 Toyota Highlander:

Known VDS for a 2018 Toyota Highlander
ZZRFH	BGRFH	KZRFH	ZARFH	JGRFH	DGRFH	BZRFH	JZRFH	DZRFH	YZRFH

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 2018 Toyota Highlander 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 2018 Toyota Highlander VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018

11th Character in the 2018 Toyota Highlander VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Toyota Highlander Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
2	Miyawaka	Fukuoka	Japan	Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.	5TDJZRFH5J2877030
S	Princeton	Indiana	United States	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.	5TDZZRFH0JS234877

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Toyota Highlander

The final 6 characters in a 2018 Toyota Highlander’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2018 Toyota Highlander’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2018 Toyota Highlander is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Toyota Highlander. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
Look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your Toyota Highlander for a VIN sticker.
Examine the engine block for a stamped VIN on your 2018 Toyota Highlander.
Search for a VIN plaque on the frame of the vehicle under the hood; this can typically be found near the front of the car.

What info can a 2018 Toyota Highlander VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s make as a Toyota Highlander from the model year 2018, providing insights into the brand’s lineage and consistency in the automotive industry.
Engine and Fuel Types: The engine indicated by the VIN might be a V-Shaped, 3.5L engine from Toyota, capable of operating on a combination of Gasoline and Electric power, suggesting a hybrid powertrain that emphasizes fuel efficiency and environmental considerations.
Body Class and Drive Type: A Vehicle Identification Number could classify the 2018 Highlander as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4WD/4-Wheel Drive, which suggests a design tailored for adaptability and potential off-road capability.
Safety Features: The safety elements might include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound, a Backup Camera, and Curtain Air Bags for all rows, which indicates a strong focus on passenger safety across various driving conditions.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The potential presence of Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assistance systems in the 2018 Toyota Highlander points to advanced safety technologies designed to assist the driver and enhance overall vehicle safety.
Transmission and Performance: The VIN may suggest that this vehicle is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and could have a top speed of around 115 MPH, proposing an intention to balance driving dynamics with fuel economy.
Plant Information: The assembly of the vehicle at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Princeton, Indiana, United States could imply a commitment to certain manufacturing standards and practices, reflecting on the quality and origin of the vehicle.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Toyota Highlander

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	41930.00
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Description	Calipers / Front Vented Discs
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Curb Weight (pounds)	4464
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electrification Level	Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	256
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	2GR-FXS, 4JM+2FM
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary	Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Standard
Model	Highlander
Model Year	2018
Number of Battery Packs per Vehicle	2
Number of Seat Rows	3
Number of Seats	8
Number of Wheels	4
Other Engine Info	PORT+DIRECT, VVT-i Engine; Port/Direct Fuel Injection
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant City	Princeton
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Indiana
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Seat Cushion Air Bag Locations	Passenger Seat Only
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	ASU50L/GSU50L/GSU55L/GVU58L
Series2	Wagon body style
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Top Speed (MPH)	115
Track Width (inches)	64.4
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Style	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Trim	XLE Hybrid
Trim2	M Grade
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	5TDJGRFH*JS
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From	109.8
Wheel Base Type	Standard
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	5TDJGRFH0JS037761