How to decode a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their vehicles in the global market. The WMI for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, “1G1,” signifies that the car was manufactured by General Motors LLC, specifically within the United States. This part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) not only identifies the manufacturer but also indicates significant details such as the vehicle type and the production location. For the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, it reveals that the vehicle is a passenger car and was produced in Warren, Michigan. Understanding the WMI is essential for accessing comprehensive information about the vehicle’s origin, type, and manufacturing details.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
Example VIN: 1G1ND52J02M502573
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 2002 Chevrolet Malibu 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 Malibu:

Known VDS for a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
ND52J	NE52J

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 Malibu 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 Malibu VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

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

Known 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
M	Lansing - North Plant	Michigan	United States	Na-Gm Corp	1G1ND52J02M502573

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

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

Check your Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Malibu. The VIN can generally be seen through the windshield on the lower corner.
Open the door on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Malibu and check the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It’s typically found on a label or sticker.
Inspect the engine block. The VIN might also be stamped on the Chevrolet Malibu’s engine.
Check your vehicle’s title or registration paperwork. The VIN for your Chevrolet Malibu will be listed on these documents.
Look in the rear wheel well directly above the tire; sometimes, the VIN can be found in this area on your Chevrolet Malibu.

What info can a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, potentially indicating the year 2002, offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It might indicate that the vehicle is a Passenger Car with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, providing details about its design and purpose.
Engine Specifications: The VIN can provide detailed engine information, including a V-Shaped engine configuration, displacement measured in CC, CI, and Liters, and an engine model of LG8 with 6 cylinders, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and performance potential.
Fuel System: It may reveal the type of fuel delivery system the vehicle uses, such as Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI), offering insights into its fuel efficiency and performance.
Safety Features: Information about safety features, including the locations of front airbags, here possibly indicating 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), is encoded within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN might uncover manufacturing details including the Plant Country, Plant State, and Plant City, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production location.
Vehicle Identification: Specific identifiers like the vehicle’s series, and the number of doors and windows, possibly providing a more complete picture of the vehicle’s design and functionality.

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

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	3100.0
Displacement (CI)	189.17360669367
Displacement (L)	3.1
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	LG8
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	Malibu
Model Year	2002
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Buick
Plant City	Lansing - North Plant
Plant Company Name	NA-GM Corp
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Michigan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	LS
Vehicle Descriptor	1G1NE52J*2M
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	1G1NE52J02M541757