- What you'll get from Subaru WRX VIN check?
- Subaru WRX Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Subaru WRX VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Subaru WRX
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru WRX VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Subaru WRX VIN.
- 10th Character in the Subaru WRX VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Subaru WRX VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Subaru WRX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru WRX
- How to find a Subaru WRX's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru WRX
What you’ll get from Subaru WRX VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2019, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: Details such as the engine model (e.g., DIB), displacement in liters (2L), horsepower (268hp), and the number of cylinders (4) can be decoded, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: A VIN can indicate whether a vehicle comes standard with safety technologies like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and various airbag locations including front, side, and curtain airbags for both the 1st and 2nd rows, providing a snapshot of the vehicle’s safety offerings.
- Fuel Type: It can specify the primary fuel type the vehicle uses; for example, gasoline, which is essential for understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Drive Type and Transmission: It can offer specific information regarding the vehicle’s drivetrain, such as All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and the type of transmission installed (e.g., manual/standard with 6 speeds), which influences handling, performance, and fuel efficiency.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN can unveil where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city (Ota), plant country (Japan), and even the specific factory or plant company name (Main plant), providing insight into the vehicle’s production background.
- Body Class and Additional Features: It can detail the vehicle’s body class (e.g., Sedan/Saloon) and other optional or standard features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and any other features the vehicle may have.
Subaru WRX Vehicle History Risk Factors
Subaru’s reputation for reliability is strong among loyal owners, but the used Subaru market has several specific patterns that a vehicle history check will help surface.
Head gasket failures on 2.5L EJ25 non-turbo engine (1999–2011 Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza). This is the most well-known Subaru issue in the used car market. The non-turbo 2.5L EJ25 engine had a head gasket design that failed at elevated rates, typically between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, causing external coolant leaks and, if ignored, internal coolant-oil mixing. Repair costs are $1,500–$2,500. Service records showing head gasket replacement on older Subarus are a significant data point — it means the repair was done, which is better than not, but the engine’s overall condition should still be evaluated carefully.
CVT reliability on Crosstrek and Impreza (2017–present). Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT has generated more owner complaints in recent model years than the previous automatic transmissions. High-mileage examples warrant inspection of transmission fluid service history.
Oil consumption on 2013–2020 2.0L FB20 and 2.5L FB25 engines. Subaru’s second-generation flat-four engines had a documented oil consumption issue — some owners reporting 1 quart per 1,000 miles — that prompted a class action settlement and extended warranty coverage. A Bumper report won’t show oil consumption directly, but ownership and service records can indicate whether the issue was addressed under warranty.
WRX and STI engine modifications. Turbocharged Subarus — particularly WRX and STI models — are among the most frequently modified vehicles in the used market. Engine swaps, aftermarket turbo upgrades, and ECU tunes are common and void the factory powertrain warranty. VIN-confirmed factory spec verification is the first step in evaluating any used performance Subaru.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Subaru WRX VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Subaru WRX VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of manufacture. The WMI JF1 specifically identifies vehicles made by Subaru Corporation, designating them as passenger cars built in Japan. With its headquarters located in Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Subaru uses this identifier for models produced between the years 2015 and 2024. The significance of the WMI is in its ability to provide quick, essential details about a vehicle’s origin, type, and manufacturer without requiring a lookup of the full VIN. This identifier is a key tool in automotive industry databases, law enforcement, and vehicle registration processes, ensuring a vehicle’s history and authenticity can be easily traced.
List of WMI Codes for a Subaru WRX
WMI: JF1
- Model Years Covered: 2015-2024
- Example VIN: JF1VA1F60F9803180
- Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Shibuya-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru WRX VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Subaru’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes drivetrain type, engine variant, body style, and series configuration across the Outback, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, and Crosstrek lineups. Virtually all Subaru models share the same symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, so the VDS encoding focuses more heavily on distinguishing engine variants — particularly the 2.0L naturally aspirated four-cylinder, 2.5L naturally aspirated, 2.5L turbocharged (Legacy GT, Forester XT), and the EJ257 turbocharged flat-four used in the WRX and STI. The engine character in the VDS is critical for WRX and STI buyers especially, as VIN-confirmed engine verification protects against the common practice of installing aftermarket engines into base Impreza shells.
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 Subaru WRX 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 Subaru WRX VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Subaru WRX |
| P | 2023 Subaru WRX |
| N | 2022 Subaru WRX |
| M | 2021 Subaru WRX |
| L | 2020 Subaru WRX |
| K | 2019 Subaru WRX |
| J | 2018 Subaru WRX |
| H | 2017 Subaru WRX |
| G | 2016 Subaru WRX |
| F | 2015 Subaru WRX |
11th Character in the Subaru WRX VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Subaru WRX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Ota | Gunma | Japan | Fhi (Main Plant ) | JF1VA1D60F8800093 |
| 9 | Ota | Gunma | Japan | Fhi (Main Plant ) | JF1VA1F60F9803180 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru WRX
The final 6 characters in a Subaru WRX’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 Subaru WRX’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Subaru WRX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Observe the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of the Subaru WRX, where the VIN is commonly displayed on a small plate.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side; the Subaru WRX VIN can often be found on a sticker or label where the door latches when closed.
- Look at the vehicle registration documents; the VIN of the Subaru WRX will be recorded on these official papers.
- Inspect the insurance card or insurance policy documents; the VIN of the Subaru WRX is usually mentioned here for identification and verification purposes.
Don’t have your Subaru WRX’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru WRX
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Pre-Collision Throttle Management: Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Optional |
| 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 |
| Base Price ($) | 31795.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.0474881894 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 268 |
| Engine Model | DIB |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | 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 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) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | WRX |
| Model Year | 2019 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Plant City | Ota |
| Plant Company Name | Main plant |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Gunma |
| 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 Style | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) |
| Trim | WRX high+L+KA+BSD+NAVI(H/K)+M/R+ES |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JF1VA1P6*K8 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 104.30 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample VIN | JF1VA1P60K8806868 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Subaru WRX for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Subaru WRX?
On most Subaru 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 Subaru WRX's history for free?
Enter the Subaru WRX’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 Subaru WRX VIN numbers start with?
Subaru WRX VIN's start with JF1 for vehicles manufactured by Subaru Corporation 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 Subaru WRX.
Decode a Subaru VIN
Look up a Subaru WRX by license plate:
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