How to decode a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturer, type, and country of production. For the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, the WMI can be either “1G1” or “3G1,” indicating that the car was manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. These characters not only confirm the vehicle as a passenger car but also point to its production years, which, for the Chevrolet Cavalier, span numerous models from 1983 to 2005. The difference in the first digit reflects the specific assembly location or manufacturing division within General Motors. This coding system is critical for identifying vehicles accurately and is used globally for registration, titling, and insurance purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

WMI: 1G1

Model Years Covered: 1983-1989, 1991-2005
Example VIN: 1G1JF52F047118234
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3G1
Model Years Covered: 1996-2004
Example VIN: 3G1JH52F24S162585
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 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 Cavalier:

Known VDS for a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
JF52F	JH52F	JC52F	JH12F	JC14F	JH54F	JH14F	JC12F	JF12F	JF54F
JF14F

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 Cavalier 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 Cavalier VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

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

Known 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
7	Lordstown	Ohio	United States	Na-Gm Corp	1G1JF52F047118234
S	Ramos Arizpe		Mexico		3G1JH52F24S162585

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

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

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How to find a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier’s VIN?

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

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. It’s typically located right where the dashboard meets the windshield and can be seen from outside the vehicle.
Look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side as well. On your Chevrolet Cavalier, there should be a label with the VIN.
Inspect under the hood of your Chevrolet Cavalier; the VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or firewall.
Check the trunk area of the Cavalier. It may be found under the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid or floor area.

What info can a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2004, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Plant Location: The VIN shows that the vehicle was manufactured in Lordstown, Ohio, offering specific manufacturing details including the year and location.
Vehicle Specifications: It details a Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 with a 2.2L engine by GM, providing comprehensive insight into make, model, engine size, and manufacturer.
Engine Details: The VIN reveals the engine to be an in-line, 4-cylinder model L61 with multipoint fuel injection (MPFI), highlighting the type and fuel delivery system used, which is essential for understanding performance and maintenance requirements.
Safety Features: Front and side airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row indicate the vehicle’s commitment to safety, providing crucial information about the protective systems in place.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN indicates that the vehicle uses gasoline as its primary fuel type, coupled with details like a displacement of 2200 CC, which can offer an understanding of fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Body Class and Capacity: Classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, indicating its body style and size, which is vital for assessing space and functionality for potential users.
Additional Features: It mentions manual seat belts and a total of four windows, adding layers to the vehicle’s convenience and safety components, which contribute to the overall driving experience.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2200.0
Displacement (CI)	134.25223700841
Displacement (L)	2.2
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	170
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L61
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Cavalier
Model Year	2004
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile
Plant City	Lordstown
Plant Company Name	NA-GM Corp
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	LEV1
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1G1JF54F*47
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	1G1JF54F147172767