How to decode a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. In the case of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI “1GN” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC. This specific code indicates that the vehicle is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatility and purpose for passenger transport. Moreover, the assembly location of these vehicles is in Warren, Michigan, United States. Through the use of the WMI, one can gather essential information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type, providing a useful tool for vehicle identification and information retrieval.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1987-2024
Example VIN: 1GNWKLEG0CR281784
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban 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 Suburban:

Known VDS for a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
WKLEG	SCJE0	SCHE0	SKJE7	SK5E7	SKKE7	WK5EG	SKHE7	SCKE0	WCLEG
WKMEG	WCMEG	SC5E0

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 Suburban 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 Suburban VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

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

Known 2012 Chevrolet Suburban Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gmna	1GNWKLEG0CR281784

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Suburban, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. It’s visible through the windshield.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. The VIN can usually be found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Chevy Suburban; the VIN might also be located on the front of the engine block.
Inspect the frame of the vehicle, near the windshield washer fluid container, as some Chevrolet models have the VIN in this spot.
Look at your vehicle registration, title, or insurance card/policy, which should all list the VIN for your Chevrolet Suburban.

What info can a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN suggests that the vehicle, a Suburban, was manufactured in 2012 at the Arlington plant in Texas, United States, highlighting the precision of VINs in identifying production details.
Body Class and Doors: This Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) is designed with a 4-door configuration, emphasizing its utility and family-friendly design.
Engine Type and Fuel Type: It is equipped with a V-Shaped, 5.3 L (5300 cc) engine that operates on Flex Fuel (Gasoline and Ethanol E85) with Cylinder Deactivation technology, reflecting a balanced approach between power and fuel efficiency.
Safety Features: The vehicle features comprehensive airbag coverage, including side airbags, indicating a strong emphasis on occupant safety.
Drive Type and Transmission: It features Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) with a Hydraulic brake system, highlighting its performance and handling characteristics.
Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact: The vehicle offers both Gasoline and Ethanol E85 fuel types, demonstrating an adaptation to varying fuel availabilities and a potential effort towards a lower environmental impact.
Additional Features: The presence of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and manual seat belts underscores the vehicle’s focus on safety and driver convenience.

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	5300.0
Displacement (CI)	323.42584370208
Displacement (L)	5.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	LMG - Flex Fuel (Gas/ALC), Cylinder Deactivation, Iron
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary	Ethanol (E85)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Model	Suburban
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Arlington
Plant Company Name	GMNA
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Texas
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	FL
Valve Train Design	Overhead Valve (OHV)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNSC5E0*CR
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNSC5E00CR275011