How to decode a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing valuable information about where and by whom a vehicle was made. In the case of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, the WMI “3GN” signifies a vehicle manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This WMI is critical for defining the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), denoting its design for various functions beyond just passenger transport. It serves as the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), offering a starting point for decoding the specific characteristics and history of an individual vehicle. Such information is crucial for buyers, sellers, and regulators in identifying, tracking, and managing vehicle-related data comprehensively.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

WMI: 3GN

Model Years Covered: 2002-2013
Example VIN: 3GNGC23G12G172165
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 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 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 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche:

Known VDS for a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
GC23G	EK13T	GK23G	EC13T

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 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 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 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico		3GNGC23G12G172165

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Avalanche’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Avalanche, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area; the VIN is usually found on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed on your 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche.
Check under the hood of your Chevrolet Avalanche; there’s usually a VIN plate located on the front engine block.
Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side by looking above the tire. Sometimes the VIN can be found stamped onto the body in this area on a Chevrolet Avalanche.
If your Chevrolet Avalanche has a spare tire, check underneath it. Manufacturers sometimes put the VIN there as well.

What info can a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating a 2002 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can detail the type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle and specify the body as a Sport Utility Truck (SUT), offering a clear picture of the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Details: It may capture the engine’s specifications, such as its configuration being V-Shaped, displacement measurements (8100.0 CC, 494.29232716733 CI, 8.1 L), and it having eight cylinders, providing a comprehensive view of its powertrain.
Fuel Type and Efficiency Systems: The VIN can indicate the vehicle runs on Gasoline and utilizes a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system for fuel delivery, highlighting efficiency and performance features.
Drive Type and Brake System: It may reveal the vehicle has a 4x2 drive type and employs a Hydraulic brake system, giving insights into its drivability and safety characteristics.
Manufacturing Information: It could encode information about the vehicle’s place of manufacture, including the city of Silao, the country of Mexico, and the state of Guanajuato, allowing for a better understanding of its origin.
Vehicle Specifications: Critical specifications like the make model being an Avalanche, the series 2500, and trim level indicated as 3/4 Ton, providing a detailed glimpse into the vehicle’s market position and size category.

Don’t have your 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Truck (SUT)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	8100.0
Displacement (CI)	494.29232716733
Displacement (L)	8.1
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	WRN
Engine Model	L18
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg)
Model	Avalanche
Model Year	2002
Plant City	Silao
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Guanajuato
Series	2500
Trim	3/4 Ton
Vehicle Descriptor	3GNGK23G*2G
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	3GNGK23G02G142884