How to decode a 2009 Buick Lucerne VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Buick Lucerne VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial section of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), composed of the first three characters. This code uniquely identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For the 2009 Buick Lucerne, the WMI “1G4” signifies that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. As a part of the VIN, the WMI provides essential information, indicating that the vehicle is a passenger car. Such identifiers are critical in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Buick Lucerne

WMI: 1G4

Model Years Covered: 2006-2011
Example VIN: 1G4HD57109U101463
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 2009 Buick Lucerne 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 2009 Buick Lucerne:

Known VDS for a 2009 Buick Lucerne
HD571	HD57M	HP571	HP57M	HF579

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 2009 Buick Lucerne 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 2009 Buick Lucerne VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Buick Lucerne VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 Buick Lucerne Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Orion	Michigan	United States		1G4HD57MX94131063
U	Hamtramck	Michigan	United States		1G4HD57109U101463

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Buick Lucerne

The final 6 characters in a 2009 Buick Lucerne’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Lucerne’s VIN below:

How to find a 2009 Buick Lucerne’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 Buick Lucerne is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2009 Buick Lucerne, which should be visible through the windshield on a small section near the edge.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Buick Lucerne, where the door latches when closed, as the VIN might be found on a sticker or plate there.
Inspect the area around the engine block of your 2009 Buick Lucerne; the VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
Check the trunk area of your Lucerne, as the VIN might also be located under the trunk lid or on the floor close to the spare tire well.
Review your Buick Lucerne’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or title, where the VIN is typically listed.
If your Buick Lucerne has a maintenance record booklet or owner’s manual packet, the VIN is commonly recorded in these documents.

What info can a 2009 Buick Lucerne VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2009, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Details: The VIN discloses specific engine characteristics such as a V-Shaped configuration, 3900.0 CC displacement, and it being manufactured by GM, offering insights into vehicle performance and capabilities.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: It may indicate that the vehicle operates on a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) system, compatible with gasoline and E85, demonstrating the variety of fuel options available for the user.
Safety Features: The presence of front and side airbags for both driver and passenger, along with manual seatbelts and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), can underline the car’s commitment to passenger safety.
Body Class and Size: With the details summarizing the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, potential owners can gain an understanding of the vehicle’s general appearance and size, contributing to informed decisions based on personal and family needs.
Vehicle Manufacturing Information: Information about the vehicle’s assembly, pinpointing to Orion, Michigan, United States, gives an idea of the origin and quality standards of the manufacturing process.
Model Specifications: The VIN provides specific information regarding the make and model as a Lucerne CXL, offering clarity to potential buyers about the vehicle’s market segment and luxury features.

Don’t have your 2009 Buick Lucerne’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Buick Lucerne

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	3900.0
Displacement (CI)	237.99260196945
Displacement (L)	3.9
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	LGD
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
Model	Lucerne
Model Year	2009
Other Engine Info	Gasoline, E85
Other Restraint System Info	Driver and Passenger Roof Airbags and Occupant Sensors
Plant City	Orion
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Michigan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	CXL
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	1G4HD57M*94
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1G4HD57MX94131063