How to decode a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and additional characteristics such as the vehicle type and place of manufacture. For instance, the WMI “3GN” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC, specifically categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), indicating versatility in function. This code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which for the Chevrolet Avalanche produced between 2002 and 2013, provides critical information about the vehicle at a glance. The designation points to a vehicle made in Warren, Michigan, USA, highlighting the geographic and manufacturing details pertinent to the vehicle’s identity. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is fundamental in vehicle tracking, registration, and identification processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

WMI: 3GN

Model Years Covered: 2002-2013
Example VIN: 3GNEC12T04G107231
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 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 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche:

Known VDS for a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
EC12T	EK12T

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 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 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

11th Character in the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico	Silao Assembly	3GNEC12T04G107231

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

The final 6 characters in a 2004 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 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2004 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, where it meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen by looking through the windshield from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s door of your Chevrolet Avalanche and inspect the door jamb area. There is often a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when closed.
Examine the frame of the Chevrolet Avalanche, as the VIN is sometimes stamped on the chassis or the frame of the vehicle, particularly in the engine bay or near the vehicle’s firewall.
Review insurance cards or policy documentation for your Chevrolet Avalanche, since the VIN is normally printed on insurance documents.
Check the vehicle title and registration paperwork associated with your Chevrolet Avalanche as these documents will reliably contain the VIN.

What info can a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it may be from the 2004 model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The Chevrolet Avalanche is categorized under the Sport Utility Truck (SUT) body class, with a capacity of 4 doors, revealing a unique combination of truck and SUV features in its design and structure.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, it may have a 4x2 drive type, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Engine Type: The VIN presents specific engine details, such as a 5.3L V-Shaped engine configuration known as LM7 Iron, and an Engine Number of Cylinders of 8, suggesting powerful performance and detailing its specific engine model and type.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle, as indicated in the VIN, is gasoline, providing insights into fuel preference and possibly fuel efficiency.
Manufacturing Information: Production specifics reveal that this Chevrolet Avalanche was assembled in Silao, Mexico, by Silao Assembly, offering a glimpse into the geographic origin of the vehicle and its manufacturing details.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The GVWR suggests it falls within Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which can give an indication of its size and possibly its safety features and regulations it adheres to.

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Truck (SUT)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	5300.0
Displacement (CI)	323.42584370208
Displacement (L)	5.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	LM7 Iron
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Avalanche
Model Year	2004
Plant City	Silao
Plant Company Name	Silao assembly
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Guanajuato
Series	1500 (1/2 Ton)
Series2	1/2 Ton
Trim	1/2 Ton
Vehicle Descriptor	3GNEC12T*4G
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	3GNEC12T04G107231