How to decode a 2003 Chevrolet Impala VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Chevrolet Impala VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, providing vital information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and types of vehicles they produce. The WMI is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), acting as a distinctive fingerprint for identifying the brand and manufacturing details. For the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, the WMI “2G1” reveals that the car was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically denoting that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in Warren, Michigan. This code is comprehensive, covering model years from 1982, 1984, and then 2000 through 2020, underscoring the legacy and production span of this iconic vehicle series. Such identifiers are crucial for traceability, registration, and recall purposes, ensuring each car is uniquely cataloged and recognized worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Chevrolet Impala

WMI: 2G1

Model Years Covered: 1982, 1984, 2000-2020
Example VIN: 2G1WH55K039167309
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 2003 Chevrolet Impala 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 2003 Chevrolet Impala:

Known VDS for a 2003 Chevrolet Impala
WH55K	WF55E	WH52K	WF52E	WF55K	WF52K

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 2003 Chevrolet Impala 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 2003 Chevrolet Impala VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Chevrolet Impala VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Chevrolet Impala Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
9	Oshawa #1	Ontario	Canada	Na-Gm Corp	2G1WH55K039167309

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Chevrolet Impala

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Chevrolet Impala’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Impala’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Chevrolet Impala’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Chevrolet Impala is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Impala, near where the windshield meets the dash. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle, at the lower corner of the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area. There should be a sticker or plate on the door pillar of your Chevrolet Impala with the VIN printed on it.
Inspect the engine block of your Chevrolet Impala. The VIN may also be stamped on the engine block, so you’ll have to pop the hood to check this location.
Check your Chevrolet Impala’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (also known as the pink slip); the VIN will be listed on these documents.
Look in the rear wheel well directly above the tire. In some vehicles, the VIN may be found in this area, although it’s less common.
Consult the owner’s manual of your Chevrolet Impala. Sometimes the manual will indicate other specific locations for the VIN specific to the model year.

What info can a 2003 Chevrolet Impala VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may uncover the vehicles’ model year, as suggested by a 2003 Chevrolet Impala, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can disclose the vehicle’s body class, such as being a Sedan/Saloon, along with specific features like the number of doors, as with this model having 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information can be extracted, including the engine model (L36), manufacturer (GMPTG Flint), configuration (V-Shaped), and the displacement in liters (3.8L) or cubic inches (231.89), providing valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
Safety Features: Safety equipment details, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, and side airbags located at the driver’s seat only, may be encoded within the VIN, offering useful information about the vehicle’s safety technology.
Fuel System: The type of fuel delivery system, in this case, Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI), may provide insights into the vehicle’s fuel management technology and efficiency.
Manufacturing Information: A VIN can reveal extensive manufacturing information, including the plant city (Oshawa #1), country (Canada), and specific vehicle assembly details, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s origin and production journey.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN specifies the vehicle’s weight class, indicating it falls within Class 1, which accommodates vehicles 6,000 lb or less, offering insights into the vehicle’s structure and capabilities.

Don’t have your 2003 Chevrolet Impala’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Chevrolet Impala

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	3800.0
Displacement (CI)	231.89022755998
Displacement (L)	3.8
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GMPTG Flint
Engine Model	L36
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
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	Impala
Model Year	2003
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick
Plant City	Oshawa #1
Plant Company Name	NA-GM Corp
Plant Country	Canada
Plant State	Ontario
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	LS
Side Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Valve Train Design	Overhead Valve (OHV)
Vehicle Descriptor	2G1WH55K*39
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	2G1WH55K039167309