How to decode a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), crucial for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, the WMI codes “3C8” and “3C4” signify vehicles produced by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca, located in Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico. These codes are specific to Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs) manufactured between the years 2001 and 2005. The presence of these WMIs in a PT Cruiser’s VIN indicates that the vehicle is part of a series produced in Mexico, underscoring the global nature of automotive manufacturing and the specific international origins of this model. This data is vital for various stakeholders, including manufacturers, regulators, and consumers, for identification, registration, and certification purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

WMI: 3C8

Model Years Covered: 2001-2005
Example VIN: 3C8FY68B02T201252
Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Santa Fe
State or Province: Mexico City
Country: Mexico WMI: 3C4
Model Years Covered: 2001-2005
Example VIN: 3C4FY48B02T204027
Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Santa Fe
State or Province: Mexico City
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser:

Known VDS for a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
FY68B	FY48B	FY58B

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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
T	Toluca	State Of Mexico	Mexico	Toluca Assembly Plant	3C8FY68B02T201252

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chrysler PT Cruiser’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, where it meets the windshield. The VIN is typically visible from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. You might find the VIN on the door post where the door latches when it’s closed.
Check under the hood; the VIN might also be located on a plaque or sticker near the front of the engine bay.
Look inside the trunk area; sometimes there is a VIN sticker on the trunk lid or in the spare tire well.
If the vehicle has its original paperwork, the VIN will be listed on the title, registration, or insurance documents.

What info can a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating it as a 2002 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Plant Location: Manufacturing details, such as the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico, may highlight where the vehicle was produced, possibly ensuring traceability and authenticity.
Vehicle Specifications: Basic details such as the make being the PT Cruiser, an engine displacement of 2.4 liters, and its configuration as an In-Line 4-Cylinder engine, may provide insight into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Safety Features: Safety equipment, possibly including front airbags for both the driver and passenger and side airbags in the 1st row, may ascertain the model’s focus on occupant protection.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type utilized by the vehicle may be Gasoline, with a fuel delivery system identified as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), offering potential insights into consumption efficiency and potential environmental impact.
Body Class and Size: Classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with four doors, this information may outline the vehicle’s intended function and size, catering to specific user needs.
Additional Features: Further details like a manual seat belt type, a Valve Train designed as Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), and steering located on the Left-Hand Drive (LHD), may offer a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s design and user interface.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	2400.0
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
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)
Model	PT Cruiser
Model Year	2002
Other Engine Info	Engine Info: 16V, Sales Code: EDZ
Plant City	Toluca
Plant Company Name	Toluca assembly plant
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	State Of Mexico
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series2	Hatchback Body Style
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Trim	Limited / Dream Cruiser
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	3C8FY68B*2T
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	3C8FY68B02T201252