How to decode a 2012 Cadillac Escalade VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Cadillac Escalade VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code designated to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe and constitutes the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 2012 Cadillac Escalade, produced by General Motors LLC, this identifier is “1GY” or “3GY,” marking it as a vehicle assembled in Warren, Michigan, United States. It categorizes the Escalade as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), a lineup that enjoyed production years from 1999 all the way to 2024 for “1GY,” and for “3GY,” from 2002 to 2013. The WMI not only highlights General Motors as the maker but also indicates the vehicle type and origin, providing essential information for identification, registration, and tracking purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Cadillac Escalade

WMI: 1GY

Model Years Covered: 1999-2000, 2002-2024
Example VIN: 1GYS4EEJ0CR181820
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3GY
Model Years Covered: 2002-2013
Example VIN: 3GYT4NEF0CG114926
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 2012 Cadillac Escalade 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 2012 Cadillac Escalade:

Known VDS for a 2012 Cadillac Escalade
S4EEJ	S3BEF	S4KEF	S4BEF	S3JEF	S3KEF	S4CEF	S3EEJ	S4AEF	S3FEJ
S4GEF	S4JEF	S3GEF	S4DEF	S4HEF	S4FEJ	S3HEF	S3AEF	S3DEF	S3CEF
T4NEF	T4LEF	T4MEF

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 2012 Cadillac Escalade 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 2012 Cadillac Escalade VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Cadillac Escalade VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Cadillac Escalade Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico	Gmna	3GYT4NEF0CG114926
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gmna	1GYS4EEJ0CR181820

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Cadillac Escalade

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Cadillac Escalade’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Cadillac Escalade’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Cadillac Escalade’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Cadillac Escalade is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Cadillac Escalade, typically just below the windshield, which can be seen from the outside.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Cadillac Escalade; you’ll often find the VIN on a sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Inspect the frame of the car; sometimes the VIN is stamped onto the chassis near the hood latch of the Cadillac Escalade.
Check official documents related to your Cadillac Escalade, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, where the VIN is usually recorded.

What info can a 2012 Cadillac Escalade VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Drive Type: It is categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) system, offering insights into its design purpose, off-road capability, and space utility.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle features an 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6 liters, described as a LZ1 - Flex Fuel capable of using Gasoline/Ethanol, suggesting a blend of power and flexibility in fuel choice.
Electrification Level and Fuel Types: This Escalade is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), with primary fuel as gasoline and secondary fuel as electric, highlighting its fuel efficiency and potentially lower emissions.
Safety Features: It includes curtain airbags for all rows, front airbags for the first row (driver and passenger), and side airbags for the first row, indicating a comprehensive approach to occupant safety during collisions.
Additional Features: The vehicle is equipped with a sequential fuel injection (SFI) system for fuel delivery, indicating a modern and efficient method of fuel delivery to the engine. It also features a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), enhancing safety and maintenance by providing real-time tire pressure information.

Don’t have your 2012 Cadillac Escalade’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Cadillac Escalade

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	6000
Displacement (CI)	366.1424645683
Displacement (L)	6
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Electrification Level	HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) - Level Unknown
Engine Model	LZ1 - Flex Fuel(Gasoline/Ethanol), LIVC, DOD, Aluminium
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary	Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Model	Escalade
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Arlington
Plant Company Name	GMNA
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Texas
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Platinum Hybrid
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	1GYS4FEJ*CR
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GYS4FEJ0CR195335