How to decode a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For instance, a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe has a WMI of “1GN,” which signifies it is manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This information also indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), encompassing a range of models from 1995 to 2024. The WMI is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes, providing a quick way to determine vehicle specifics directly from its VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNEK13Z04J103247
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 2004 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 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
EK13Z	EK13V	EC13T	EC13Z	EK13T	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 2004 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 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

11th Character in the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2004 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	1GNEK13Z041253987
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEK13Z04J103247
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC13T04R121564

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe

The final 6 characters in a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Tahoe. The VIN is typically visible from the outside by looking at the area where the dashboard meets the windshield.
Look at the door jamb of the driver’s side door on your Chevrolet Tahoe, specifically where the door latches when closed. A sticker there should indicate the VIN.
Check under the hood of your Chevrolet Tahoe. There is often a VIN plate located on the engine block or on the framework near the windshield washer fluid container.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes the Chevrolet Tahoe VIN can be found stamped on the frame in that area.
If you have paperwork for your Chevrolet Tahoe, such as registration, insurance, or service records, the VIN will typically be mentioned on these documents.

What info can a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2004, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The VIN of the Tahoe can decode engine details like a 5.3 L (5300 CC or 323.425 CI) V-Shaped engine with 8 cylinders, produced by GM, and designated as model L59, indicating specific information about the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN may specify the vehicle’s fuel compatibility, possibly indicating if it is a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), providing information on the types of fuel the vehicle can use.
Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN can indicate the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and the drive type as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, potentially offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design, structure, and handling characteristics.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN may include manufacturing plant’s location (Janesville, United States), along with the state (Wisconsin) and the company name (GM Truck Group), offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing details.
Vehicle Specifications: Additional vehicle specifics like the brake system type (Hydraulic), the number of doors (4), and the gross vehicle weight rating class (Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb or 2,722 - 3,175 kg) are typically encoded within the VIN, providing detailed information about the vehicle’s features and capabilities.
Series and Trim: The VIN can provide insight into the vehicle’s series (1500 and 1/2 Ton) and trim (1/2 Ton), offering clues about its configuration and market positioning.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
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	2004
Other Engine Info	Iron
Plant City	Janesville
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Wisconsin
Series	1500
Series2	1/2 Ton
Trim	1/2 Ton
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNEC13Z*4J
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNEC13Z04J136309