How to decode a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). These codes identify the manufacturer of the vehicle and provide information about the type and place of production. For instance, the WMI for a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu indicates that it is manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. It also denotes that the vehicle is a passenger car, underlining its design and intended use. Through the WMI, vehicles like the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are traced back to their origins, offering insight into their manufacturing process.

List of WMI Codes for a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
Example VIN: 1G1ZE5E00A4127221
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 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet Malibu:

Known VDS for a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
ZE5E0	ZB5E0	ZC5EB	ZD5E7	ZA5E0	ZD5E0	ZA5EN	ZE5EB	ZB5EB	ZA5EB
ZD5EB	ZC5E0	ZE5E7	ZF5EZ	ZA5EK

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 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
A	2010

11th Character in the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2010 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Orion	Michigan	United States	Gmna	1G1ZE5E00A4127221
F	Kansas City	Kansas	United States	Fairfax Ii	1G1ZC5EB0AF102220

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2010 Chevrolet Malibu is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Malibu. The VIN is likely viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Malibu. The VIN might be on a label or sticker where the door closes.
Examine the trunk area of your Chevrolet Malibu, often the VIN can be found under the trunk mat or on the wall of the trunk itself.
Inspect the engine block area of your Chevrolet Malibu, as the VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
Review your Chevrolet Malibu’s insurance or vehicle registration documents, which will have the VIN listed.
If you have the owner’s manual packet for the Chevrolet Malibu, often there is a label with the VIN on it.

What info can a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it may be a 2010 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle is equipped with a 3.6L V-Shaped 6-cylinder engine, potentially indicating its power and performance capabilities. Additionally, the engine may feature Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) for efficient fuel delivery, although this would need to be verified through additional sources.
Safety Features: Safety equipment in the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu may include curtain airbags available in all rows and front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), possibly indicating a focus on passenger safety from multiple angles.
Fuel Type: The model runs on gasoline, which potentially impacts the vehicle’s environmental footprint and fuel economy.
Body Class and Size: Classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, this information can help potential buyers or owners understand the vehicle’s size and style.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle is indicated to be built by GM in Orion, Michigan, United States, potentially offering insight into the manufacturing quality and support available in certain regions.
Advanced Features: The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu may be equipped with a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which could enhance safety and maintenance by closely monitoring tire conditions. However, this feature would need to be verified through additional sources.

Don’t have your 2010 Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	3600.0
Displacement (CI)	219.68547874103
Displacement (L)	3.6
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	LY7
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
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	Malibu
Model Year	2010
Other Engine Info	ALUM, 60 Degrees
Plant City	Kansas City
Plant Company Name	Fairfax II
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Kansas
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	2LT
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1G1ZD5E7*AF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	1G1ZD5E70AF104140