How to decode a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, designed to uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. For instance, the WMI for a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe is ‘1GN’, signifying that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This identifier denotes that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), categorizing it within a broad spectrum of utility vehicles designed for personal or commercial use. WMIs are crucial for various stakeholders, including service providers, authorities, and owners, to accurately determine vehicle specifics. The standardization of WMIs across the automotive industry ensures uniformity in vehicle identification, making it easier to trace, recall, and service vehicles worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNEC13Z731296525
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 2003 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 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
EC13Z	EK13V	EK13T	EK13Z	EC13T	EC13V

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 2003 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 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 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	1GNEC13Z731296525
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC13Z03J123686
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEK13V03R120546

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

The final 6 characters in a 2003 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 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Tahoe where it meets the windshield. This VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Tahoe. You’ll often find a sticker with the VIN where the door latches when closed.
Look for the VIN under the hood of your Chevrolet Tahoe. You might find it on the front of the engine block.
Check the rear wheel well. Sometimes for the Chevrolet Tahoe, the VIN can be found above the tire.
If you check the spare tire well in the cargo area of your Chevrolet Tahoe, you may find the VIN there as well.
Peruse your vehicle’s paperwork: the title, registration, or insurance documents will always list the VIN for your Chevrolet Tahoe.

What info can a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decoded suggests that the vehicle is a Chevrolet Tahoe with a 5.3L V8 engine, potentially showcasing its make, model, and specific engine details.
Fuel Type: It may operate on Flexible Fuel, indicating that the vehicle can possibly use more than one type of fuel, adding to its versatility.
Body Class and Doors: It is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, possibly indicating the vehicle’s intended use and body style.
Engine Configuration and Manufacturer: It possibly comes with a V-Shaped engine configuration manufactured by GM, providing insights into the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities and the renown of its engine maker.
Drive Type: The VIN potentially suggests that the vehicle features a 4x2 drive type, which may inform about its drivetrain and possibly its off-road capabilities and fuel efficiency.
Plant Information: The VIN possibly indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Wentzville, Missouri, USA, by GM Truck Corp, offering a glimpse into its possible manufacturing origin.

Don’t have your 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	5300.0
Displacement (CI)	323.42584370208
Displacement (L)	5.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L59
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Tahoe
Model Year	2003
Other Engine Info	Iron
Plant City	Arlington
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Texas
Series	1500
Trim	1/2 Ton
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNEC13Z*3R
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNEC13Z03R107750