- What you'll get from Chevrolet Uplander VIN check?
- Chevrolet Uplander Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Uplander VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Uplander
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet Uplander VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Chevrolet Uplander VIN.
- 10th Character in the Chevrolet Uplander VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Chevrolet Uplander VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Chevrolet Uplander Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Uplander
- How to find a Chevrolet Uplander's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Uplander
What you’ll get from Chevrolet Uplander VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2006, which could provide insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN details suggest it’s a GM Uplander with a 3.50 L V-Shaped engine by GM, known as the LX9, highlighting the vehicle’s make, model, and engine specifics.
- Body Class and Doors: The vehicle is classified as a Minivan, featuring a 4-door body style, which gives context on its size and potential usage scenarios.
- Engine Details: The VIN provides specifics such as a 3.50 L displacement and an Overhead Valve (OHV) valve train design, signifying its performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: It runs on Gasoline and utilizes Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) for fuel delivery, pointing towards its fuel efficiency and injection type.
- Drive Type: The drive type is identified as 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Manufacturing Information: The vehicle was assembled in Doraville, Georgia, United States, which could validate the vehicle’s origin and potentially influence its market value and recall notices.
Chevrolet Uplander Vehicle History Risk Factors
Chevrolet’s reliability is model-dependent — the Silverado and Suburban are among the most durable vehicles in their segments, while some car-based models have more checkered histories. A Bumper check on a used Chevrolet is particularly valuable for the following:
AFM/DoD lifter failures on 5.3L V8 engines (2007–2021 Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban). GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates cylinders at highway speeds, caused widespread lifter and camshaft failures in this engine generation. The repair cost ($2,000–$5,000) makes this one of the most expensive used-vehicle surprises in any segment. Service records showing lifter replacement or an AFM delete kit are significant items to verify before purchase.
Ignition switch recall (2005–2014 multiple models). GM’s ignition switch recall — one of the most significant safety-related recalls in automotive history — affected Malibus, Cobalts, and several other models. Affected switches could move out of the “run” position while driving, cutting power to safety systems including airbags. Verify recall compliance on any Chevrolet from this era.
Transmission shudder on 8-speed automatic (2015–2019 Silverado, Colorado). GM’s 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatics generated extensive owner complaints and TSBs related to torque converter shudder, especially at low speeds. This is well-documented and frequently appears in service records.
Rust on older Silverado and Colorado frames. Like other full-size trucks, older Chevrolet pickups from rust-belt states can have significant frame deterioration. A registration and ownership history in the Bumper report is your first indicator — a truck that’s spent decades in Minnesota or Michigan is a different proposition than one from Arizona.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Chevrolet Uplander VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Uplander VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. In the case of the Chevrolet Uplander, produced by General Motors LLC between the model years 2005 to 2009, the WMI is 1GN. This WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan, and is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). The WMI plays a crucial role in vehicle identification, providing essential information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Uplander
WMI: 1GN
- Model Years Covered: 2005-2009
- Example VIN: 1GNDX33L05D203529
- 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 Chevrolet Uplander VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Chevrolet’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system, engine type, and series level across its Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, and Tahoe lineups. On Silverados, the VDS is particularly useful for confirming cab style (regular, double, or crew cab), bed length, and engine variant — important because a 5.3L V8 Silverado and a 4.3L V6 from the same model year can look identical from the exterior. For the Equinox and Traverse, the VDS distinguishes between engine variants that differ significantly in fuel economy, towing capacity, and long-term reliability profiles. When comparing two Chevrolets with similar prices, always cross-reference VDS characters to confirm you’re comparing equivalent specifications.
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 Chevrolet Uplander 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 Chevrolet Uplander VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 9 | 2009 Chevrolet Uplander |
| 8 | 2008 Chevrolet Uplander |
| 7 | 2007 Chevrolet Uplander |
| 6 | 2006 Chevrolet Uplander |
| 5 | 2005 Chevrolet Uplander |
11th Character in the Chevrolet Uplander VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Chevrolet Uplander Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Doraville | Georgia | United States | Na-Mcd Platform (Apv) | 1GNDX33L05D203529 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Uplander
The final 6 characters in a Chevrolet Uplander’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Chevrolet Uplander’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Chevrolet Uplander is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Uplander. The VIN is commonly visible through the windshield on a small plate.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Chevrolet Uplander. The VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches shut.
- Check underneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your Chevrolet Uplander. Sometimes, the VIN is located in this hidden spot for additional security.
- Inspect the engine block of your Chevrolet Uplander. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself, providing a permanent reference.
- Examine your Chevrolet Uplander’s vehicle insurance or registration documents. The VIN is typically listed on these documents for easy reference.
Don’t have your Chevrolet Uplander’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Uplander
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Minivan |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Displacement (CC) | 3498 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.583104331562 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.50 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | GM |
| Engine Model | LX9 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Uplander |
| Model Year | 2006 |
| Plant City | Doraville |
| Plant Company Name | NA-MCD Platform (APV) |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Georgia |
| Series | LS |
| Series2 | 1/2 Ton |
| Trim | RWB |
| Valve Train Design | Overhead Valve (OHV) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GNDU23L*6D |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 1GNDU23L06D174750 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Chevrolet Uplander for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Chevrolet Uplander?
On most Chevrolet vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Chevrolet Uplander's history for free?
Enter the Chevrolet Uplander’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Chevrolet Uplander VIN numbers start with?
Chevrolet Uplander VIN's start with 1GN for vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Chevrolet Uplander.
Decode a Chevrolet VIN
Look up a Chevrolet Uplander by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today