- What you'll get from Nissan Leaf VIN check?
- Nissan Leaf Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Leaf VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Leaf
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Leaf VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan Leaf VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan Leaf VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan Leaf VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan Leaf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Leaf
- How to find a Nissan Leaf's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Leaf
What you’ll get from Nissan Leaf 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.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN may indicate where the Nissan Leaf was possibly manufactured, such as Smyrna, Tennessee, offering insights into its production origin.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN provides information about the type of vehicle, possibly indicating that the Nissan Leaf is a passenger car.
- Body Class: The VIN can possibly reveal the body class of the Nissan Leaf, such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, offering insights into its physical design.
- Battery Type: The VIN indicates the type of battery used in the Nissan Leaf, which is possibly a Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion battery, providing valuable information about its power source.
- Fuel Type: The VIN specifies the primary fuel type of the Nissan Leaf, which may be Electric, indicating its eco-friendly and energy-efficient nature.
- Safety Features: The VIN can possibly provide insight into the safety features included in the Nissan Leaf, such as standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Traction Control, enhancing the understanding of its safety technologies.
Nissan Leaf 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 Leaf VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Leaf VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and is the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the Nissan Leaf, there are two primary WMIs depending on the model year and manufacturing location. Vehicles produced for the 2013-2024 model years typically start with 1N4, indicating they were manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in the United States, specifically in Tennessee. Earlier models from 2011-2012 usually bear the WMI JN1, signifying that Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan crafted these electric cars. This code is essential for accurately identifying the Nissan Leaf’s place of origin and ensuring authenticity.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Leaf
WMI: JN1
- Model Years Covered: 2011-2012
- Example VIN: JN1AZ0CP0BT000135
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Chuo-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
WMI: 1N4
- Model Years Covered: 2013-2024
- Example VIN: 1N4AZ0CP0DC400282
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Franklin
- State or Province: Tennessee
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Leaf 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 Leaf 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 Leaf VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Nissan Leaf |
| P | 2023 Nissan Leaf |
| N | 2022 Nissan Leaf |
| M | 2021 Nissan Leaf |
| L | 2020 Nissan Leaf |
| K | 2019 Nissan Leaf |
| J | 2018 Nissan Leaf |
| H | 2017 Nissan Leaf |
| G | 2016 Nissan Leaf |
| F | 2015 Nissan Leaf |
| E | 2014 Nissan Leaf |
| D | 2013 Nissan Leaf |
| C | 2012 Nissan Leaf |
| B | 2011 Nissan Leaf |
11th Character in the Nissan Leaf VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan Leaf 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 | 1N4AZ0CP0DC400282 |
| L | Aguascalientes City | Aguascalientes | Mexico | Aguascalientes Plant | 1N4AZ0CP7EL337506 |
| T | Yokosuka | Kanagawa | Japan | Oppama Plant | JN1AZ0CP0BT000135 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Leaf
The final 6 characters in a Nissan Leaf’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 Leaf’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan Leaf is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side of your Nissan Leaf. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
- Check the driver’s side door jamb of your Nissan Leaf. The VIN might be located on a sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
- Examine the frame of the car where the driver’s side door attaches to the Nissan Leaf, as the VIN can sometimes be found here.
- Look for the VIN on the vehicle registration documents or insurance card for your Nissan Leaf, as it will be listed there for identification purposes.
- Inspect the engine bay of your Nissan Leaf. There may be a plate or sticker displaying the VIN near the front of the engine compartment.
- Consult the owner’s manual of your Nissan Leaf. The VIN is often recorded in the manual or accompanying paperwork provided by the manufacturer or dealership.
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Don’t have your Nissan Leaf’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Leaf
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Charger Power (kW) | 62 |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electrification Level | BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Electric |
| 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) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Leaf |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | 1st Row 3-Point Manual Belts / 2nd Row outboard 3-Point Manual Belts and Curtain Side Air Bags / 2nd Row center 3-Point Manual Belts |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Smyrna |
| Plant Company Name | Nissan North America Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Tennessee |
| Rear Automatic Emergency Braking | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 1 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | Grade SL |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1N4BZ1DV*MC |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 17 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 17 |
| Sample VIN | 1N4BZ1DV0MC550030 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Nissan Leaf 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 Leaf?
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 Leaf's history for free?
Enter the Nissan Leaf’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 Leaf VIN numbers start with?
Nissan Leaf VIN's start with JN1 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan, 1N4 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. 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 Nissan Leaf.
Decode a Nissan VIN
Look up a Nissan Leaf by license plate:
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