How to decode a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is the initial sequence of three letters or numbers in a vehicle identification number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer. In the case of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, the WMI is “1G1,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is crucial for identifying the make and model of a vehicle, especially for issues related to safety, registration, and in identifying specific features or recalls. The WMI code also pinpoints the vehicle type, labeling the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu as a passenger car. This identifier is an essential tool for both consumers and manufacturers, ensuring the traceability and authenticity of a vehicle’s origin and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
Example VIN: 1G1ZE5E73CF146527
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 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Malibu:

Known VDS for a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
ZE5E7	ZD5EU	ZC5EU	ZE5EU	ZA5E4	ZD5E7	ZF5E7	ZE5E0	ZG5E7	ZB5E0
ZC5E0	ZD5E0	ZB5EU	ZA5EU	ZD5ST	ZA5E0

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 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Kansas City	Kansas	United States	Fairfax Assembly	1G1ZE5E73CF146527

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 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, specifically near the corner where it meets the windshield. The VIN is typically displayed on a small metal or plastic plate visible through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area for a label or sticker. Your Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN is often located here, where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood of your Chevrolet Malibu for a VIN plate located on the engine block or on the firewall.
Examine the trunk area of your Chevrolet Malibu. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor of the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk lid.
Look at the vehicle title, registration paperwork or insurance documents for your Chevrolet Malibu, as the VIN will be listed there.
If you require additional assistance, consult the owner’s manual for your 2012 Chevrolet Malibu for specific details on VIN locations or contact a local dealer for guidance.

What info can a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Type: The Malibu model is powered by a 2.4-liter engine (2400 CC or 146.45698582735 CI) with an In-Line configuration, designed by GM under the model LE9. The engine is characterized by Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), showcasing its fuel delivery system.
Fuel Type: It may support Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, allowing it to operate on a combination of fuel types, including gasoline and ethanol blends (E85), emphasizing its versatility in fuel usage.
Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with curtain airbags for all rows, front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), and side airbags for the 1st row, prioritizing occupant protection across multiple impact scenarios.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN details categorize the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing insights into the general body style and access points of the vehicle.
Assembly Plant Information: The vehicle was assembled in Kansas City at the Fairfax Assembly plant, United States, indicating the vehicle’s manufacturing location, which can be key for those interested in the production origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Classified within Class 1, indicating it has a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), providing information on the vehicle’s size and potential weight capacity.

Don’t have your 2012 Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 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	2012
Other Engine Info	Book Code: 3Z, Engine Gas, V6, ALUM, 60 Degrees, ALUM, 60 Degrees
Plant City	Kansas City
Plant Company Name	Fairfax assembly
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Kansas
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	1LZ
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1G1ZE5E7*CF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1G1ZE5E73CF146527