How to decode a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers that signify the manufacturer of a vehicle and, occasionally, additional information about the vehicle type or manufacturing location. For the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado, the WMI is “1GC,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. The designation typically relates to the make and model of a vehicle, providing a standardized method for identifying the vehicle’s origin. In this case, it reveals that the vehicle is a truck, further illustrating the utility of WMIs in categorizing and tracing vehicles back to their manufacturers and specific characteristics. This system is crucial for regulatory, registration, and identification purposes across the global automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado

WMI: 1GC

Model Years Covered: 2004-2012, 2015-2024
Example VIN: 1GCDT146048124693
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Truck
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado 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 Colorado:

Known VDS for a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
DT146	DT196	DT198	DS136	DS146	DT148	DT138	DT136	DS196	CS148
DS148	CS196	CS198	CS136	CS138	CS146

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 Colorado 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 Colorado VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

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

Known 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
8	Shreveport	Louisiana	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GCDT146048124693

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado

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

Check your Chevrolet Colorado’s VIN below:

How to find a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado’s VIN?

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

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Colorado. The VIN is often visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate attached to the dashboard.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. There should be a label or sticker where the door latches when closed, which will have the VIN printed on it.
Examine the frame of your Chevrolet Colorado. The VIN might also be stamped onto the chassis in the engine bay or under the vehicle near the front wheel well.
Open the hood of your 2004 Chevrolet Colorado and look at the front of the engine block. The VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
If your Chevrolet Colorado still has its original service or maintenance book, the VIN should be recorded inside the cover or on the first page.

What info can a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado 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.
Body Class and Size: The VIN contains information about the vehicle’s body class, possibly indicating that it is a Pickup, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Details: The VIN includes comprehensive engine information, possibly revealing a 3.5L In-Line engine made by GM with a specific model L52, underscoring the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
Drive Type: Details about the vehicle’s drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, are encoded within the VIN, hinting at the vehicle’s off-road capability and traction control.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN can decode to reveal the primary fuel type, in this case, Gasoline, including the vehicle’s fuel delivery system which is a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), important for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: While not explicitly detailed in every VIN, safety features such as the number of airbags or braking system type can often be inferred; this vehicle might have a Hydraulic brake system, potentially indicating its safety mechanisms.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN also provides manufacturing details, such as the Plant Country (United States), Plant City (Shreveport), and the Plant Company Name (GM Truck Group), offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and build quality.

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

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Pickup
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cab Type	Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L52
Engine Number of Cylinders	5
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	Colorado
Model Year	2004
Other Engine Info	Alum
Plant City	Shreveport
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Louisiana
Trim	1/2 Ton
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GCDT196*48
Vehicle Type	Truck
Sample_VIN	1GCDT196048105408