How to decode a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. These codes are part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying the specific maker, the vehicle type, and its country of origin. For the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe, the WMI is “1GN”, indicating that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, this points to its assembly in Warren, Michigan, and categorizes the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for accurately identifying and tracking vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNFC23J09R105946
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 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
FC23J	FC13C	EC233	FK332	EC030	FC330	FK030	FC33J	FK135	FK230
FK330	FK132	FK130	FC332	FC230	EC133	FC130	FC135

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 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States		1GNFC13C29J100967
R	Arlington	Texas	United States		1GNFC23J09R105946

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

The final 6 characters in a 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield on a plate set into the dashboard.
Examine the door frame on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Tahoe. The VIN is often on a sticker or label where the door latches when it is closed.
Check under the hood. You may be able to find the VIN on a decal or plate on the engine block, firewall, or any other component of the engine bay in your Chevrolet Tahoe.
Inspect your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN of your Chevrolet Tahoe should be on the title, registration, or insurance documents.
Look at the rear wheel well. Peer through the tire’s well and check above the tire; sometimes the VIN is stamped onto the body in that area.
Review the spare tire area. Often, there will be a sticker with the VIN located in the compartment where the spare tire is stored in your Chevrolet Tahoe.

What info can a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 2009, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Make and Model: For vehicles like the Tahoe LTZ, the VIN provides specific identification, including trim details that can hint at the level of luxury or additional features.
Engine Specifications: It specifies a GM L9H engine, with a V-shaped, 8-cylinder configuration, and a displacement of 6.2 liters, indicating a powerful engine designed for robust performance.
Fuel Type: This vehicle is identified as a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), meaning it can operate on more than one type of fuel, offering flexibility in fuel choice.
Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN categorizes the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4WD, suggesting it is designed for versatility and performance across various terrains.
Safety and Technology: Features like a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are inferred, hinting at the vehicle’s attention to safety and advanced technology.
Manufacturing Details: Insight into the vehicle’s production location is provided, pinpointing the plant in Arlington, Texas, United States, which aids in tracing the vehicle’s manufacturing history.

Don’t have your 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	6200.0
Displacement (CI)	378.34721338734
Displacement (L)	6.2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L9H
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Model	Tahoe
Model Year	2009
Plant City	Arlington
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Texas
Series	1/2 Ton
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	LTZ
Valve Train Design	Overhead Valve (OHV)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNFC332*9R
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNFC33229R129468