How to decode a 2016 Buick Encore VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Buick Encore VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) serve as unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. They form the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing critical information about the vehicle, such as the manufacturer name, vehicle type, and the country of assembly. For instance, WMIs help identify vehicles like the 2016 Buick Encore, created by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, for the Buick Encore, the WMI “KL4” denotes it was manufactured by General Motors in Warren, Michigan, and categorizes it as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle. This system ensures that every vehicle can be identified globally for registration, recall, and warranty purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Buick Encore

WMI: KL4

Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
Example VIN: KL4CJ2SM0GB527891
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2016 Buick Encore VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2016 Buick Encore:

Known VDS for a 2016 Buick Encore
CJ2SM	CJASB	CJBSB	CJFSM	CJHSM	CJ1SM	CJHSB	CJCSB	CJESB	CJFSB
CJGSB	CJDSB

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 2016 Buick Encore 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 2016 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Buick Encore Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
B	Bupyeong		South Korea	Gm Korea	KL4CJ2SM0GB527891

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Buick Encore

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Buick Encore’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2016 Buick Encore’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 Buick Encore is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2016 Buick Encore. The VIN should be visible through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a sticker that may display the VIN of your Buick Encore.
Check under the hood of your Buick Encore; the VIN might be found on a sticker or plate on the engine block.
Examine the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, on the Buick Encore, the VIN can be located inside the wheel well.
If your Buick Encore has a spare tire, check the area where the spare tire is housed as VINs are sometimes placed in this area.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the owner’s manual for the VIN, as it is always recorded on official documents.

What info can a 2016 Buick Encore VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the age and market value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN might indicate the body class of the vehicle, offering insights into its design and structure.
Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: Information gleaned from the VIN may include the engine specifications, fuel type, and fuel efficiency, providing details about the vehicle’s performance and eco-friendliness.
Safety Features: The VIN might reveal safety features present in the vehicle, offering insights into its commitment to passenger safety.
Drive Type: The VIN can potentially provide the drive type, which may affect the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Manufacturing Information: Production details such as the vehicle’s assembly location and manufacturer can provide background on its origin and global footprint.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Buick Encore

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	1400.0
Displacement (CI)	85.43324173262
Displacement (L)	1.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	LUV - VVT, ALUM GME E85 MAX
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
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 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Encore
Model Year	2016
Plant City	Bupyeong
Plant Company Name	GM Korea
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	Convenience Group
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KL4CJBSB*GB
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KL4CJBSB0GB522172