- What you'll get from Ford Escape VIN check?
- Ford Escape Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford Escape VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford Escape
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Escape VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford Escape VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford Escape VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford Escape VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford Escape Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Escape
- How to find a Ford Escape's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Escape
What you’ll get from Ford Escape VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it to be the year 2018, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type and Fuel: The VIN decodes the engine as a 1.5L GTDI Sigma with Premium Fuel, providing details about the engine’s capacity, type, and power output, which may impact the vehicle’s performance.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are indicated, showing a focus on safety. Optional systems like Cross-Traffic Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) showcase advanced safety options available.
- Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a 4x2 with a 6-speed automatic transmission, offering insights into the drive type and how power is transmitted from the engine to the wheels.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN suggests a primary fuel type of gasoline and a specific Fuel Injection Type, Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI), which offers insights into the vehicle’s fuel consumption and performance metrics.
- Body Class and Seating Capacity: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with seating for 5 across 2 rows, providing key information about the vehicle’s size, utility, and family-friendliness.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was assembled in Louisville, Kentucky, United States by the Louisville Assembly Plant, giving context regarding the vehicle’s manufacturing origin, which can be relevant for quality perceptions and regional manufacturing specifics.
Ford Escape Vehicle History Risk Factors
Ford’s used vehicle market is enormous — the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America — which means the range of vehicle condition is equally wide. A Bumper VIN check on a used Ford addresses several high-frequency issues.
1.0L and 1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion (2013–2018 Escape, Fusion, Focus). Ford’s smaller EcoBoost engines in this generation had a well-documented defect where coolant could leak into the engine, causing overheating and, in some cases, engine fires. NHTSA investigated this issue extensively. A service record showing repeated coolant top-offs or a replaced head gasket is a significant red flag on these models.
6R80 transmission issues on F-150 (2011–2016). Ford’s six-speed automatic in this generation of F-150 generated substantial owner complaints and TSBs related to shuddering, hard shifts, and converter clutch failure. High-mileage examples from this era warrant close inspection of transmission service records.
Rust and frame integrity on pre-2015 F-150s. Earlier aluminum-free F-150s are susceptible to frame and cab corner rust in northern states. Check ownership registration history — a truck that’s spent its life in the Rust Belt will have a different condition profile than one from the Southwest.
Salvage frequency on high-demand models. F-150s, Mustangs, and Explorers appear disproportionately in salvage and rebuilt title databases because of their volume and resale value. Title washing — where a salvage-titled vehicle is re-registered in a lenient state to obtain a clean title — is a real risk on popular Ford trucks and SUVs.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Ford Escape VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Escape VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to automotive manufacturers, which forms the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code reveals the manufacturer’s name, and often, additional information such as the vehicle type and production location. For example, the WMI 1FM is designated to Ford Motor Company, specifically identifying Ford’s multipurpose passenger vehicles, such as the Ford Escape, produced in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. This identifier is crucial for global vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes. Spanning model years from 2001 through 2024, the 1FM WMI underscores Ford’s commitment to the production of versatile vehicles tailored for a broad consumer base.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Escape
WMI: 1FM
- Model Years Covered: 2001-2024
- Example VIN: 1FMYU01B01KF78852
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Escape VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Ford’s Vehicle Descriptor Section follows a consistent encoding structure across its F-Series, Explorer, Mustang, and Escape lineups, though the specific codes vary considerably by platform generation. For F-150s, the VDS encodes cab configuration, bed length, and engine type — all critical details when evaluating a used truck, since a VIN that decodes to a base 3.3L V6 is a very different vehicle than one with the 5.0L Coyote V8 or the 3.5L EcoBoost. The engine character in the VDS is particularly important on Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost models, where buyers frequently need to verify the specific engine variant for maintenance planning and insurance purposes.
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 Ford Escape 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 Ford Escape VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Ford Escape |
| P | 2023 Ford Escape |
| N | 2022 Ford Escape |
| M | 2021 Ford Escape |
| L | 2020 Ford Escape |
| K | 2019 Ford Escape |
| J | 2018 Ford Escape |
| H | 2017 Ford Escape |
| G | 2016 Ford Escape |
| F | 2015 Ford Escape |
| E | 2014 Ford Escape |
| D | 2013 Ford Escape |
| C | 2012 Ford Escape |
| B | 2011 Ford Escape |
| A | 2010 Ford Escape |
| 9 | 2009 Ford Escape |
| 8 | 2008 Ford Escape |
| 7 | 2007 Ford Escape |
| 6 | 2006 Ford Escape |
| 5 | 2005 Ford Escape |
| 4 | 2004 Ford Escape |
| 3 | 2003 Ford Escape |
| 2 | 2002 Ford Escape |
| 1 | 2001 Ford Escape |
11th Character in the Ford Escape VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Escape Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Avon Lake | Ohio | United States | Ohio Assembly Plant | 1FMCU92104DA15555 |
| E | Jefferson County | Kentucky | United States | Kentucky Truck | 1FMCU0E71BEM23689 |
| K | Kansas City | Missouri | United States | 1FMYU01B01KF78852 | |
| U | Louisville | Kentucky | United States | Louisville Assembly | 1FMCU9GX0DUA01491 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Escape
The final 6 characters in a Ford Escape’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?
How to find a Ford Escape’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Escape is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of the Ford Escape. The VIN is commonly located here, visible from outside the vehicle.
- Look at the driver’s side door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on your Ford Escape. Often, a sticker here displays the VIN.
- Check under the hood. The Ford Escape may have its VIN on a plate or sticker located on the engine block or on the firewall.
- Open the trunk and inspect the area where the trunk lid hinges. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate in this area of your Ford Escape.
- For newer models, the VIN of the Ford Escape could also be found in the vehicle’s documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance documents.
Don’t have your Ford Escape’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Escape
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.04748818946 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Model | GTDI, 240PS |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Escape |
| Model Year | 2020 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Parking Assist | Standard |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Louisville |
| Plant Company Name | Louisville assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Kentucky |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Titanium |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 8 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FMCU9J9*LU |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 106.70 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 19 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 19 |
| Sample VIN | 1FMCU9J90LUA00379 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford Escape for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Ford Escape?
On most Ford vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Ford Escape's history for free?
Enter the Ford Escape’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Ford Escape VIN numbers start with?
Ford Escape VIN's start with 1FM for vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Ford Escape.
Decode a Ford VIN
Look up a Ford Escape by license plate:
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