How to decode a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, the type of vehicle it is, and the location of its manufacturing. For the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, the WMI is “1GN,” indicating that it was produced by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This specific WMI covers model years from 1995 to 2024, showcasing the long-standing production history. The Chevrolet Tahoe, classified under this WMI, is recognized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatility and function as a family and utility vehicle. This system of identification provides invaluable information for tracking, regulation, and recognition of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNSC4E00CR277772
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 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 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe
SC4E0	LC2E0	SCCE0	SCAE0	SKDEJ	SKBE0	SCBE0	SKAE0	SKCE0	SK4E0
SK2E0	SCDEJ

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 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 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

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

Known 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gmna	1GNSC4E00CR277772

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

The final 6 characters in a 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

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

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Tahoe. The VIN is commonly located where the dashboard meets the windshield and can be seen from outside the vehicle.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The VIN may be found on a label or sticker near where the door latches.
Examine the engine block of your Chevrolet Tahoe, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
For your Chevrolet Tahoe, the VIN can also potentially be found on the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents.
Inspect the frame of the vehicle under the hood. The VIN might be stamped onto the car’s frame somewhere in the front part of the chassis.

What info can a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2012 [Make Model], this may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), catering to versatility and space with a potential 4-door configuration.
Engine Type and Displacement: The VIN can provide insights into the engine specifics, such as a V-shaped engine with a 5.3-liter displacement, capable of using both gasoline and ethanol (E85). It might also include a feature for cylinder deactivation for potentially enhanced fuel efficiency.
Drive Type: The VIN can also reveal the drive type, for instance, a 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) system, enhancing the vehicle’s capability in various driving conditions.
Fuel Efficiency: The VIN can offer details on fuel efficiency, with support for dual fuel types, primarily gasoline with ethanol (E85) as secondary. This might offer flexibility in fuel choice.
Safety Features: Safety features, such as airbag locations in all rows (including front and sides for the 1st row), highlight the vehicle’s emphasis on passenger safety and protection.
Tire Pressure Monitoring: The VIN might also specify the presence of a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), aiding in maintaining the correct tire pressure for safer and more efficient driving.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

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 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Tahoe
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Arlington
Plant Company Name	GMNA
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Texas
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	1/2 ton
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	Police Vehicle
Valve Train Design	Overhead Valve (OHV)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNLC2E0*CR
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNLC2E00CR174957