How to decode a 2022 Buick Encore VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2022 Buick Encore VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For the 2022 Buick Encore, the WMI “KL4” signifies that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC, located in Warren, Michigan, United States. Specifically, this WMI indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatility and utility. This designation is crucial for regulatory, identification, and manufacturing purposes, serving as a global standard for vehicle identification.

List of WMI Codes for a 2022 Buick Encore

WMI: KL4

Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
Example VIN: KL4CJASM0NB505154
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 2022 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 2022 Buick Encore:

Known VDS for a 2022 Buick Encore
CJASM	CJESM

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 2022 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 2022 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
N	2022

11th Character in the 2022 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2022 Buick Encore Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
B	Bupyeong		South Korea		KL4CJASM0NB505154

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2022 Buick Encore

The final 6 characters in a 2022 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 2022 Buick Encore’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2022 Buick Encore is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Buick Encore. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a plate attached to the dashboard.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Buick Encore. The VIN might be located on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Look at the engine block of your Buick Encore, as the VIN might also be stamped onto the engine itself.
Review your Buick Encore’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (also known as the pink slip), as the VIN will be listed there.
Examine the trunk area of your Buick Encore. Sometimes the VIN can be found in the spare tire well or on the underside of the trunk lid.

What info can a 2022 Buick Encore VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2022, 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 2022 Encore, this may indicate it as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 2 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 2022 Encore, it may be a front-wheel drive (FWD), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Engine Specifications: It specifies the Encore having a 1.4L in-line four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1400.0 CC, equipped with a turbocharger and a dual overhead cam (DOHC) valve train, indicating a balance between performance and efficiency.
Safety Features: The VIN-based data suggests that standard safety equipment for the 2022 Encore includes various features such as adaptive driving beams, anti-lock braking systems, curtain airbags in all rows, electronic stability control, and a backup camera, highlighting a focus on passenger protection.
Fuel Type and Efficiency Technologies: The primary fuel type is gasoline, and the vehicle features a direct tire pressure monitoring system, turbocharging, and various automated safety systems, suggesting a modern approach to fuel efficiency and safety.
Transmission: The VIN data implies that this model comes with an automatic transmission with 6 speeds, offering a common drive setup preferred for its balance between performance and convenience in many driving conditions.
Capacity: The VIN can provide information on the vehicle’s capacity, indicating that the Encore is designed to accommodate up to 5 passengers across 2 seat rows, making it a versatile option for families or those needing additional space.
Manufacturing Information: The vehicle’s production being traced to Bupyeong, South Korea, provides potential owners with insight into the manufacturing origin, which could influence perceptions of build quality and availability of parts.

Don’t have your 2022 Buick Encore’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2022 Buick Encore

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Backup Camera	Standard
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Optional
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	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	LE2
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
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)
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Optional
Model	Encore
Model Year	2022
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Other Engine Info	L4, DI, VVT, ALUM, GEN 1, GMNA
Other Restraint System Info	AYF - Active Manual Belts / Roof Side (all seating rows)
Parking Assist	Optional
Plant City	Bupyeong
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Optional
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	Preferred
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	6
Transmission Style	Automatic
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KL4CJESM*NB
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KL4CJESM0NB500012