How to decode a 2016 Chevrolet Trax VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Chevrolet Trax VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights about where and by whom a vehicle was made. Focusing on the 2016 Chevrolet Trax as an example, the WMI is “KL7”, indicating that this vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. Specifically, this WMI classifies the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), showcasing its design for various uses. By analyzing the WMI, one can decipher important vehicle specifics, including its intended market and manufacturer without needing additional resources. This information is crucial for understanding vehicle origins, especially for manufacturers like General Motors that operate globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Chevrolet Trax

WMI: KL7

Model Years Covered: 2015-2022, 2024
Example VIN: KL7CJMSB0GB512188
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3GN
Model Years Covered: 2013-2020
Example VIN: 3GNCJKSB0GL115061
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 2016 Chevrolet Trax 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 2016 Chevrolet Trax:

Known VDS for a 2016 Chevrolet Trax
CJMSB	CJKSB	CJNSB	CJ7CE	CJLSB	CJPSB	CJRSB

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 2016 Chevrolet Trax 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 2016 Chevrolet Trax VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 Chevrolet Trax VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Chevrolet Trax Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
B	Bupyeong		South Korea	Gm Korea	KL7CJMSB0GB512188
L	San Luis Potosi	Coahuila	Mexico	Gmna	3GNCJKSB0GL115061

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Chevrolet Trax

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Chevrolet Trax’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Trax’s VIN below:

How to find a 2016 Chevrolet Trax’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 Chevrolet Trax is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The VIN should be visible through the windshield at the corner where it meets the dash.
Open the driver-side door and examine the door jamb for a sticker or plaque that has the VIN for your Chevrolet Trax.
Inspect the engine block, where the VIN might also be stamped onto a metal part of the engine in your 2016 Chevrolet Trax.
Examine the frame of the vehicle; sometimes the VIN is stamped onto the car frame or under the vehicle near the front.
Check your Chevrolet Trax’s insurance card/policy, as this should list the VIN along with other identifying details of the vehicle.
Look at the vehicle title or registration documents, which will always contain the VIN of your 2016 Chevrolet Trax.

What info can a 2016 Chevrolet Trax VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2016, 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 2016 Trax, this may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 2 or 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2016 Trax, it is a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Engine Type: The VIN reveals engine specifics, such as a 1.4-liter engine with an In-Line configuration and Turbo, indicating performance capabilities and fuel type compatibility, in this case, Gasoline.
Safety Features: Safety equipment details like Curtain Air Bags in All Rows, Front Air Bags for the 1st Row, and Knee Air Bags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) can be extracted, underscoring the vehicle’s focus on occupant protection.
Manufacturing Details: The location of the plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, under the company GMNA is specified, providing insight into the vehicle’s manufacturing origin.
Fuel Efficiency and Emissions: Specifics like the fuel delivery system, in this case, Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), and engine model details hint at the vehicle’s potential fuel efficiency.
Additional Features and Specifications: It encompasses finer details such as the vehicle’s Turboboost capability, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) of the Direct type, and manual seat belt types, all of which indicate convenience and modern features catered towards driver safety and vehicle performance.

Don’t have your 2016 Chevrolet Trax’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Chevrolet Trax

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)	1400.0
Displacement (CI)	85.43324173262
Displacement (L)	1.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	LUV - MFI, VVT, ALUM, GME E85 MAX
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Trax
Model Year	2016
Plant City	San Luis Potosi
Plant Company Name	GMNA
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Coahuila
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	LTZ FWD
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	3GNCJMSB*GL
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	3GNCJMSB0GL130848