How to decode a 1997 Buick LeSabre VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Buick LeSabre VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific details about it. The WMI “1G4” indicates a vehicle manufactured by General Motors LLC, specifically pointing towards a passenger car type. This code covers model years from 1982 to 2005, encapsulating vehicles such as the 1997 Buick LeSabre. Produced in Warren, Michigan, United States, the vehicles bearing this WMI offer insights into their origin and the company behind their design and manufacturing, reflecting the standards and qualities of General Motors’ passenger vehicles within this timeframe.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Buick LeSabre
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1982-2005
- Example VIN: 1G4HP52K0VH422588
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Buick LeSabre 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 1997 Buick LeSabre:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Buick LeSabre | |
|---|---|
| HP52K | HR52K |
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 1997 Buick LeSabre 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 1997 Buick LeSabre VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Buick LeSabre VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Buick LeSabre Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Flint | Michigan | United States | Na-Gm Corp | 1G4HP52K0VH422588 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Buick LeSabre
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Buick LeSabre’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Buick LeSabre’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Buick LeSabre’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Buick LeSabre is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1997 Buick LeSabre. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the lower corner of the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). You may find a sticker with the VIN on your Buick LeSabre.
- Check the front of the engine block. In some models of the Buick LeSabre, the VIN is stamped onto the engine itself.
- Look under the spare tire in the trunk. The Buick LeSabre often has the VIN in this location too, especially for verification purposes.
- Explore the rear wheel well. Sometimes, the VIN can be found just above the tire on your 1997 Buick LeSabre.
- Inspect the vehicle’s frame near the windshield washer fluid container; it’s another place where the VIN might be located on your Buick LeSabre.
What info can a 1997 Buick LeSabre VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, and in the case of the 1997 Buick LeSabre Limited, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and size.
- Engine Type: Details about the engine can be extracted from the VIN, including a V-Shaped configuration, 3.8L (3800.0 CC) displacement, manufactured by FLT with 6 cylinders, providing useful information about the vehicle’s power and performance.
- Fuel Efficiency: Although not always included, some VINs may provide information related to fuel efficiency, which can offer insights into the vehicle’s economic and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features, such as the presence of front airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, may be identified through the VIN, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s safety.
- Manufacturing Location: Information regarding the manufacturing location, including the plant city (Flint), state (Michigan), and country (United States), is encoded within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production details.
- Model Name: Specific model details, such as the Buick LeSabre Limited, can be discerned, offering insights into the vehicle’s make and series.
Don’t have your 1997 Buick LeSabre’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Buick LeSabre
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | FLT |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | LeSabre |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | Name Plate: Chev, Pont, Olds, Buick |
| Plant City | Flint |
| Plant Company Name | NA-GM Corp |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Custom |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4HP52K*VH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Windows | 4 |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4HP52K0VH422588 |
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