- What you'll get from Toyota Tacoma VIN check?
- Toyota Tacoma Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Toyota Tacoma VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Toyota Tacoma
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Toyota Tacoma VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Toyota Tacoma VIN.
- 10th Character in the Toyota Tacoma VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Toyota Tacoma VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Toyota Tacoma Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Toyota Tacoma
- How to find a Toyota Tacoma's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Toyota Tacoma
What you’ll get from Toyota Tacoma VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body and Design: The VIN provides details indicating that the vehicle is a pickup with a long bed type and a special double cab trim, catering to a wide range of uses from personal to utility, supported by 4 doors and designed for Left-Hand Drive (LHD) operation.
- Drive Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is outfitted with a 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) system, indicating enhanced off-road and adverse condition capabilities, offering a blend of control and convenience.
- Engine Type and Performance: The VIN can specify the engine type, such as the V-shaped, 3.5L engine (3500 CC displacement) manufactured by Toyota, with a power output of 278 hp, featuring a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) fuel delivery system.
- Safety Features: The VIN also reveals the inclusion of a comprehensive suite of safety features including Front and Rear Pre-Collision Sensor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and Curtain Airbags covering all rows, showcasing a strong emphasis on driver and passenger safety.
- Interior and Comfort: The VIN may also indicate details about the vehicle’s interior and comfort features, seating up to 4 occupants across 2 seat rows, complemented by modern conveniences such as Keyless Ignition and a Backup Camera, underscoring the vehicle’s blend of utility and passenger comfort.
- Additional Functionalities: The VIN further highlights the inclusion of standard technological enhancements like Adaptive Driving Beam, Electronic Stability Control, and a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), enhancing both the safety and functionality of the vehicle.
Toyota Tacoma Vehicle History Risk Factors
Toyota’s reputation for reliability is well-earned and consistent across most of its lineup, but used Toyota buyers still benefit from a vehicle history check — particularly for three areas where problems cluster.
Frame rust on pre-2010 Tacomas and Tundras. Toyota issued a major frame rust recall affecting Tacomas from 2005–2010 and Tundras from 2000–2003 in rust-prone states. Affected trucks had frames that could rust completely through, creating a serious safety hazard. Not all affected vehicles had the repair performed. A Bumper report will show whether the recall was addressed on the specific VIN you’re checking. This is the single most important check for any pre-2010 Toyota truck purchase.
Unintended acceleration recall compliance. Toyota’s 2009–2011 unintended acceleration recalls — affecting Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Prius, and several other models — were among the most high-profile recalls in automotive history. Check recall compliance on any Toyota from this era.
Salvage and flood title RAV4s and Camrys. Toyota’s most popular models also appear most frequently in flood-damaged vehicle reports, particularly from Gulf Coast states. A RAV4 or Camry from Florida or Texas with no accident history is not necessarily clean — flood damage is frequently uninsured and won’t appear as an accident record. Run a dedicated flood check.
High-mileage Prius battery replacement history. Used Prius vehicles are popular precisely because of their durability, but a high-mileage Prius approaching hybrid battery replacement ($2,000–$4,000) is a very different purchase than one with a recent replacement. Ownership history and service records in a Bumper report can give you a clearer picture of where the vehicle is in its maintenance cycle.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Toyota Tacoma VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Toyota Tacoma VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or number sequences assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the world, serving as a key component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the Toyota Tacoma, these codes indicate the manufacturing location and entity. For example, WMIs such as 5TE and 5TF represent Toyota Motor Manufacturing in California, USA, and Texas, USA, respectively, pinpointing trucks produced from 2000 to 2021. Meanwhile, 3TM and 3TY denote Tacomas made in Tijuana, Mexico, by Toyota Motor Mfg de Baja California and in Guanajuato, Mexico, by Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato, covering model years from 2005 to 2023. These WMIs not only track the truck’s origin but also reflect Toyota’s international manufacturing footprint for this popular vehicle model.
List of WMI Codes for a Toyota Tacoma
WMI: 4TA
- Model Years Covered: 1995-2000
- Example VIN: 4TAUN53B1SZ023617
- Manufacturer Name: TABC Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Washington
- State or Province: DC
- Country: United States
WMI: 5TE
- Model Years Covered: 2000-2010
- Example VIN: 5TENM92N0YZ711054
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, California, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Fremont
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
WMI: 3TM
- Model Years Covered: 2005-2023
- Example VIN: 3TMLU42N05M002434
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Mfg de Baja California S de RL de CV
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Tijuana
- State or Province: Baja California
- Country: Mexico
WMI: 5TF
- Model Years Covered: 2011-2021
- Example VIN: 5TFJX4CN0BX008057
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: San Antonio
- State or Province: Texas
- Country: United States
WMI: 3TY
- Model Years Covered: 2020-2023
- Example VIN: 3TYCZ5AN0LT002945
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Guanajuato
- State or Province:
- Country: Mexico
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Toyota Tacoma VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Toyota’s Vehicle Descriptor Section is one of the more structured in the industry, using consistent positional encoding across its major model lines. The 4th and 5th characters typically encode body style and restraint system, while the 6th through 8th characters encode engine type and trim configuration — useful for confirming whether a Camry was originally equipped with the 2.5L four-cylinder or the 3.5L V6, which have meaningfully different reliability profiles and insurance costs. Toyota’s hybrid models (Prius, RAV4 Hybrid, Camry Hybrid) have distinct VDS patterns that make it straightforward to confirm whether a vehicle is a true hybrid or a standard powertrain.
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 Toyota Tacoma 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 Toyota Tacoma VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| P | 2023 Toyota Tacoma |
| N | 2022 Toyota Tacoma |
| M | 2021 Toyota Tacoma |
| L | 2020 Toyota Tacoma |
| K | 2019 Toyota Tacoma |
| J | 2018 Toyota Tacoma |
| H | 2017 Toyota Tacoma |
| G | 2016 Toyota Tacoma |
| F | 2015 Toyota Tacoma |
| E | 2014 Toyota Tacoma |
| D | 2013 Toyota Tacoma |
| C | 2012 Toyota Tacoma |
| B | 2011 Toyota Tacoma |
| A | 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
| 9 | 2009 Toyota Tacoma |
| 8 | 2008 Toyota Tacoma |
| 7 | 2007 Toyota Tacoma |
| 6 | 2006 Toyota Tacoma |
| 5 | 2005 Toyota Tacoma |
| 4 | 2004 Toyota Tacoma |
| 3 | 2003 Toyota Tacoma |
| 2 | 2002 Toyota Tacoma |
| 1 | 2001 Toyota Tacoma |
| Y | 2000 Toyota Tacoma |
| X | 1999 Toyota Tacoma |
| W | 1998 Toyota Tacoma |
| V | 1997 Toyota Tacoma |
| T | 1996 Toyota Tacoma |
| S | 1995 Toyota Tacoma |
11th Character in the Toyota Tacoma VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Toyota Tacoma Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | Tijuana | Baja California | Mexico | Toyota Motor Manufacturing De Baja California | 3TMLU42N05M002434 |
| T | Apaseo El Grande | Guanajuato | Mexico | Toyota Motor Manufacturing De Guanajuato | 3TYCZ5AN0LT002945 |
| X | San Antonio | Texas | United States | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. | 5TFJX4CN0BX008057 |
| Z | Freemont | California | United States | 4TAUN53B1SZ023617 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Toyota Tacoma
The final 6 characters in a Toyota Tacoma’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 Toyota Tacoma’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Toyota Tacoma is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota Tacoma. Usually, you can see the VIN by peering through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door pillar (door jamb) on your Toyota Tacoma. The VIN should be on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
- For some models, the VIN can also be found under the hood of the Toyota Tacoma. Check near the engine block or on the firewall of the vehicle.
- If you have the vehicle documentation, the VIN is commonly listed on the Toyota Tacoma’s title, registration, and insurance papers.
- Look in the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN is stamped on the frame within the wheel well of your Toyota Tacoma.
Don’t have your Toyota Tacoma’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Toyota Tacoma
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Front and Rear Pre-Collision Sensor: Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Bed Type | Long |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Description | Calipers / Front Vented Discs & Rear Drums |
| Cab Type | Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 278 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Engine Model | 2GR-FKS |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Model | Tacoma |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Battery Packs per Vehicle | 1 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 4 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Engine Info | PORT+CHAMBER |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | San Antonio |
| Plant Company Name | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Texas |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | GRN325L |
| 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) | 113 |
| Track Width (inches) | 63.00 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | Limited |
| Trim2 | Double Cab |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 5TFEZ5CN*JX |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 127.40 |
| Wheel Base Type | Long |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample VIN | 5TFEZ5CN0JX057632 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Toyota Tacoma for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Toyota Tacoma?
On most Toyota 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 Toyota Tacoma's history for free?
Enter the Toyota Tacoma’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 Toyota Tacoma VIN numbers start with?
Toyota Tacoma VIN's start with 4TA for vehicles manufactured by TABC Inc. in United States, 5TE for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, California, Inc. in United States, 3TM for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Mfg de Baja California S de RL de CV in Mexico, 5TF for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. in United States, 3TY for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato in Mexico. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Toyota Tacoma.
Decode a Toyota VIN
Look up a Toyota Tacoma by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today