How to decode a 2019 Buick Encore VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2019 Buick Encore VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The WMI for the 2019 Buick Encore, produced by General Motors LLC, is “KL4”. This code specifies that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), indicating its versatile use. Manufactured in the city of Warren, Michigan, United States, this identifier not only reveals the Encore’s manufacturer but also its geographical origin and classification, providing essential information for vehicle identification and registration processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2019 Buick Encore

WMI: KL4

Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
Example VIN: KL4CJ2SB0KB701322
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: LRB
Model Years Covered: 2019
Example VIN: LRBCJASB1KY003717
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 2019 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 2019 Buick Encore:

Known VDS for a 2019 Buick Encore
CJ2SB	CJ3SB	CJGSB	CJ2SM	CJCSM	CJASB	CJCSB	CJ1SM	CJESB	CJGSM
CJ1SB

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 2019 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 2019 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
K	2019

11th Character in the 2019 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2019 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	KL4CJ2SB0KB701322
Y	Yantai	Shandong	China	Dong Yue South	LRBCJASB1KY003717

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2019 Buick Encore

The final 6 characters in a 2019 Buick Encore’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Encore’s VIN below:

How to find a 2019 Buick Encore’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2019 Buick Encore is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2019 Buick Encore. The VIN can commonly be seen through the windshield on a small placard near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area. Your Buick Encore’s VIN is typically located on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Examine the frame of the vehicle. Sometimes the VIN is stamped onto the frame or chassis of a vehicle, which might be visible in the engine bay or beneath the vehicle.
Check under the hood of your Buick Encore. The VIN might be found on a sticker or plate on the firewall of the engine compartment.
Look at your vehicle registration documents or insurance card. The VIN for your Buick Encore will be listed on any official documents related to your vehicle.

What info can a 2019 Buick Encore VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2019, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2019 vehicle, this may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle/Multi-Purpose Vehicle with front-wheel drive and 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2019 vehicle, it may be a front-wheel drive, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: The VIN offers information on the engine type and fuel compatibility. For this vehicle, the VIN indicates a 1.4 L engine with Multiport Fuel Injection, Variable Valve Timing, and compatibility with E85 fuel, providing insights into its performance and fuel options.
Safety Features: The VIN may highlight safety features, indicating standard features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Backup Camera, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Curtain Airbags in all rows, while optional features like Automatic Crash Notification and Forward Collision Warning can contribute to safety.
Advanced Technology Features: Insights into standard and optional tech features provided by the VIN, such as Keyless Ignition and Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching as standard features, and optional upgrades like Parking Assist and Lane Departure Warning, can shed light on the vehicle’s technological capabilities.
Interior and Structural Specifications: The VIN can provide information about the interior and structural specifications, such as seating capacity, seat belt type, and airbag locations, offering insights into the vehicle’s practicality and safety focus.

Don’t have your 2019 Buick Encore’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2019 Buick Encore

Vehicle Spec	Value
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Optional
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	29300
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	1400.0
Displacement (CI)	85.43324173262
Displacement (L)	1.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	GMNA
Engine Model	LE2 - Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN 1
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Optional
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Optional
Model	Encore
Model Year	2019
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Parking Assist	Optional
Plant City	Bupyeong
Plant Company Name	GM Korea
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	Essence FWD
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KL4CJCSM*KB
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From	100.6
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	KL4CJCSM0KB710710