How to decode a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-digit sequences that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, revealing crucial information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer name, and vehicle type. For example, the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe is associated with the WMI codes “3GN” and “1GN”, indicating they were produced by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. These codes classify the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatile design aimed at accommodating various passenger and cargo needs. The presence of two different WMIs for this model year suggests variations in manufacturing details or specifications within the same vehicle model. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI can provide valuable insights into its manufacturing background and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 3GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-1999
Example VIN: 3GNEC18R0XG181197
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 1GN
Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNEC13R0XR104272
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 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
EC18R	EK18R	EC13R	EK13R

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 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Wentzville	Missouri	United States	Gm Truck Corp	1GNEK13RXX1557820
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico		3GNEC18R0XG181197
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC13R0XJ330827
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC13R0XR104272

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a metal plate near the corner.
Examine the driver-side door jamb on your Chevrolet Tahoe. The VIN can typically be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood of your 1999 Tahoe; the VIN may be on a plaque attached to the engine block or on the firewall.
Look in the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes on trucks and SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe, there’s a VIN plate located there.
Inspect your vehicle’s documents such as the title, registration, and insurance papers, which should all have the VIN listed for your Chevrolet Tahoe.
Peer into the trunk area beneath where the spare tire is usually stored; sometimes the VIN is located in that compartment on a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe.

What info can a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN provides detailed information about the vehicle’s type and body class, indicating that it is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle and specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which provides insights into the vehicle’s design and primary use.
Engine Specifications: Details such as a 5.7-liter engine displacement, V-Shaped engine configuration, and an eight-cylinder count underscore the vehicle’s robust performance capabilities, possibly influencing its power and fuel efficiency.
Drive Type: It can reveal the vehicle’s drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, outlining the drive mechanism that enhances its mobility and utility, potentially affecting its performance on different terrains.
Manufacturing Details: Information on the manufacturing location, including the plant city of Janesville, plant state of Wisconsin, and the country, the United States, offers insights into the vehicle’s production origin, giving context to its manufacturing history.
Fuel System: The VIN may include details about the fuel delivery system, indicating a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) type that contributes to the vehicle’s efficiency and performance, which can have implications for fuel economy and engine performance.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It might specify the gross vehicle weight rating, placing the vehicle in Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which provides context on size and weight classification, possibly impacting its capabilities and handling.

Don’t have your 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	5700.0
Displacement (CI)	347.83534133997
Displacement (L)	5.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	WRN
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Tahoe
Model Year	1999
Plant City	Janesville
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Wisconsin
Series	Conventional Cab
Trim	1500 (1/2 ton)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNEK13R*XJ
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNEK13R0XJ324531