- What you'll get from Nissan Frontier VIN check?
- Nissan Frontier Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Frontier VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Frontier
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Frontier VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan Frontier VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan Frontier VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan Frontier VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan Frontier Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Frontier
- How to find a Nissan Frontier's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Frontier
What you’ll get from Nissan Frontier VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2024, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN can specify the body class of the vehicle, indicating that it is a pickup, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In this case, it may be a 4x2 or 4x4, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Nissan Frontier Vehicle History Risk Factors
Nissan’s reliability record is mixed — the Frontier and older Maxima have strong reputations, while the CVT-heavy lineup of the 2010s has generated one of the highest rates of powertrain complaints in the segment. A Bumper VIN check on a used Nissan should focus on the following:
CVT transmission failures across multiple models (2012–2018 Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Versa). Nissan’s Jatco CVT transmissions in this generation have among the highest owner-reported failure rates of any modern powertrain component. Failures typically manifest as shuddering, overheating, and sudden loss of drive between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan extended the warranty on these transmissions multiple times due to failure rates. A service record showing CVT replacement or fluid service is important context — but a replacement doesn’t guarantee the replacement unit will outlast the original.
Timing chain stretch on 2.5L QR25DE engine (2002–2012 Altima, Sentra, Rogue). Nissan’s QR25DE engine had documented timing chain and tensioner stretch issues that could cause engine damage if the chain jumped. Look for service records referencing timing chain noise or replacement.
Rust on Frontier and older Xterra. Nissan issued a frame rust recall for Frontiers from 2005–2016 in certain states after discovering frames that could rust completely through. Verify recall compliance on any Frontier from this era — this is a structural safety issue, not cosmetic rust.
Flood damage on Rogues and Altimas. Nissan’s compact SUVs and sedans appear frequently in flood damage reports from hurricane-affected regions. Electrical system issues from water intrusion are particularly problematic on the CVT-heavy Nissan lineup.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Nissan Frontier VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Frontier VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the Nissan Frontier, one common WMI is 1N6, indicating that the vehicle was produced by Nissan North America, Inc. in the United States. Another possible WMI for the Frontier is JN6, which signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan. These initial characters are essential for recognizing the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, and type, providing a globally recognized identifier for every vehicle on the road.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Frontier
WMI: 1N6
- Model Years Covered: 1998-2024
- Example VIN: 1N6DD26Y0WC331499
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Franklin
- State or Province: Tennessee
- Country: United States
WMI: JN6
- Model Years Covered: 2011-2013, 2022-2023
- Example VIN: JN6AD0ER3BC412458
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Chuo-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Frontier VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Nissan’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system type, engine variant, and series level across its Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Frontier, and Titan lineups. On the Rogue and Altima — Nissan’s two highest-volume models — the VDS distinguishes between CVT-equipped and traditional automatic variants, and between the 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder engines offered in different trim levels and model years. This is particularly relevant for used buyers because Nissan’s CVT transmission has a well-documented reliability gap compared to traditional automatics, and confirming which transmission a specific VIN has can significantly affect the risk profile of a used purchase.
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 Nissan Frontier 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 Nissan Frontier VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Nissan Frontier |
| P | 2023 Nissan Frontier |
| N | 2022 Nissan Frontier |
| M | 2021 Nissan Frontier |
| L | 2020 Nissan Frontier |
| K | 2019 Nissan Frontier |
| J | 2018 Nissan Frontier |
| H | 2017 Nissan Frontier |
| G | 2016 Nissan Frontier |
| F | 2015 Nissan Frontier |
| E | 2014 Nissan Frontier |
| D | 2013 Nissan Frontier |
| C | 2012 Nissan Frontier |
| B | 2011 Nissan Frontier |
| A | 2010 Nissan Frontier |
| 9 | 2009 Nissan Frontier |
| 8 | 2008 Nissan Frontier |
| 7 | 2007 Nissan Frontier |
| 6 | 2006 Nissan Frontier |
| 5 | 2005 Nissan Frontier |
| 4 | 2004 Nissan Frontier |
| 3 | 2003 Nissan Frontier |
| 2 | 2002 Nissan Frontier |
| 1 | 2001 Nissan Frontier |
| Y | 2000 Nissan Frontier |
| X | 1999 Nissan Frontier |
| W | 1998 Nissan Frontier |
11th Character in the Nissan Frontier VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan Frontier Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Smyrna | Tennessee | United States | Smyrna Plant | 1N6DD26Y0WC331499 |
| K | Jiutepec | Morelos | Mexico | Nissan Mexicana, S.A. De C.V. | 1N6AD0EVXKKN77619 |
| L | Aguascalientes City | Aguascalientes | Mexico | Aguascalientes Plant | 1N6AD07W46L402188 |
| N | Canton | Mississippi | United States | Canton Plant | 1N6AD0CU0CN700693 |
| T | Yokosuka City | Kanagawa | Japan | Oppama Plant | 1N6ED27Y2YT351940 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Frontier
The final 6 characters in a Nissan Frontier’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 Nissan Frontier’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan Frontier is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the driver-side dashboard of your Nissan Frontier, visible through the windshield, for the VIN plate.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Nissan Frontier, where you may find a sticker with the VIN as the door latches.
- Check your Nissan Frontier’s engine block for the VIN, which is usually stamped onto a metal plate.
- Inspect the frame of your Nissan Frontier near the front windshield washer tank for a VIN stamp or plate.
- For official documentation, review your Nissan Frontier’s vehicle registration, title, or insurance paperwork where the VIN is always listed.
- If applicable, examine the rear wheel well above the tire. In some Nissan Frontier models, the VIN might be located there.
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Don’t have your Nissan Frontier’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Frontier
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Optional |
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Description | 4-Wheel ABS |
| Cab Type | Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Optional |
| Model | Frontier |
| Model Year | 2024 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Front: 3-Point Manual Belts / Rear: 3-Point Manual Belts (Outboard/Center) |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Canton |
| Plant Company Name | Canton plant |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Mississippi |
| Rear Automatic Emergency Braking | Optional |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Optional |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 9 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1N6ED1FK*RN |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Wheel Base Type | Long |
| Sample VIN | 1N6ED1FK0RN600474 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Nissan Frontier for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Nissan Frontier?
On most Nissan 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 Nissan Frontier's history for free?
Enter the Nissan Frontier’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 Nissan Frontier VIN numbers start with?
Nissan Frontier VIN's start with 1N6 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in United States, JN6 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Nissan Frontier.
Decode a Nissan VIN
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