How to decode a 2004 Buick Rainier VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Buick Rainier VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. The WMI for the 2004 Buick Rainier, for example, starts with “5GA,” indicating that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This SUV falls under the classification of a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), a category that encompasses vehicles designed to transport passengers and cargo with more versatility than typical passenger cars. The WMI is critical in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, offering a concise yet comprehensive snapshot of a vehicle’s origin and type directly in its VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Buick Rainier

WMI: 5GA

Model Years Covered: 2004-2007
Example VIN: 5GADT13S042183567
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 2004 Buick Rainier 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 2004 Buick Rainier:

Known VDS for a 2004 Buick Rainier
DT13S	ES13P	DS13S	ET13P

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 2004 Buick Rainier 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 2004 Buick Rainier VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

11th Character in the 2004 Buick Rainier VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2004 Buick Rainier Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
2	Moraine	Ohio	United States	Gm Truck Group	5GADT13S042183567

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Buick Rainier

The final 6 characters in a 2004 Buick Rainier’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Rainier’s VIN below:

How to find a 2004 Buick Rainier’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2004 Buick Rainier is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2004 Buick Rainier. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb for a sticker that should display the VIN of your Buick Rainier.
Check under the hood of your 2004 Rainier; the VIN might be located on the front of the engine block.
Inspect the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire on the frame.
Review your 2004 Buick Rainier’s vehicle insurance card or policy, as the VIN is almost always listed there.
Look at the vehicle title or registration documents, which will contain the VIN for your Buick Rainier.

What info can a 2004 Buick Rainier VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it could be a 2004 model, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It indicates that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, suggesting its design caters to both utility and passenger transport.
Engine Specifications: Key details about the engine are encoded, including it possibly being a GM LL8 model with an In-Line configuration, 4200 CC (4.2 L) displacement, and 6 cylinders. The engine may employ a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system for fuel delivery and might feature a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, suggesting potential performance capabilities.
Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN indicates a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive/4x4) drive type, possibly paired with a Hydraulic brake system, denoting the vehicle’s potential enhanced off-road and safety capabilities.
Fuel Type: It specifies Gasoline as the primary fuel type, possibly providing insights into fuel efficiency and potential environmental impact.
Manufacturing Details: There’s a chance that valuable information regarding the manufacturing location is included, including the Plant City of Moraine, Plant State Ohio, and the Plant Country United States, under the GM Truck Group, possibly underscoring the vehicle’s American manufacturing heritage.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The vehicle may fall within Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), suggesting its potential size, capacity, and intended use or maximum load capability.

Don’t have your 2004 Buick Rainier’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Buick Rainier

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	4200.0
Displacement (CI)	256.29972519787
Displacement (L)	4.2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	LL8
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Rainier
Model Year	2004
Plant City	Moraine
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	5GADT13S*42
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5GADT13S042183567