- What you'll get from Dodge D-Series VIN check?
- Dodge D-Series Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Dodge D-Series VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Dodge D-Series
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge D-Series VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Dodge D-Series VIN.
- 10th Character in the Dodge D-Series VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Dodge D-Series VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Dodge D-Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge D-Series
- How to find a Dodge D-Series's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge D-Series
What you’ll get from Dodge D-Series VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it was manufactured in 1988, providing an essential detail about the age of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Make and Model: It specifies the vehicle as a D-Series, offering insights into the model-specific features and specifications.
- Engine Specifications: The dataset details a V-Shaped engine configuration with an 8-cylinder setup, 5.2L displacement, and 170 horsepower, hinting at the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: This vehicle runs on Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Drive Type and Body Class: Information such as the vehicle having a 4x2 drive type and being classified as a Pickup reveals its drivetrain and intended use or utility.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN discloses the vehicle was assembled in Warren, Michigan, USA by the Warren Truck assembly, providing context on its origin and potentially the quality of manufacturing.
- Safety Features: With manual seat belts mentioned, users can infer basic safety features equipped in the vehicle, though more sophisticated technologies would need further investigation.
Dodge D-Series Vehicle History Risk Factors
Dodge’s used vehicle market is heavily weighted toward performance cars and large SUVs — segments where hard use, modifications, and elevated accident rates all affect used vehicle condition. A Bumper VIN check is particularly important for several reasons.
HEMI tick and MDS lifter issues on 5.7L and 6.4L engines. Dodge’s HEMI V8 engines across the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Ram lineup have documented issues with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifter failure, similar to the GM AFM problem. Repair costs are significant. Service records referencing lifter replacement, MDS delete, or oil consumption complaints are red flags on any HEMI-powered used Dodge.
Transmission failures on 8HP70/8HP75 8-speed automatic. Dodge’s ZF-sourced 8-speed automatics have generated owner complaints related to shuddering, hunting for gears, and torque converter issues — particularly in high-performance Charger and Challenger applications with significant power. This is a well-documented TSB item.
Accident frequency on Charger and Challenger. Dodge’s performance cars rank among the highest in accident rates in the used car market — not a knock on the vehicles, but a statistical reality that makes a Bumper accident history check particularly important. A Charger SRT or Challenger Hellcat with three owners and no reported accidents deserves more scrutiny than a minivan with the same profile.
Title issues on modified Hellcat and Demon models. High-value Hellcat and Demon variants are disproportionately represented in salvage title databases. Their high replacement values make total-loss designations more likely after even moderate damage. Title washing is a documented risk on these models.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Dodge D-Series VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge D-Series VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique three-letter codes provided to vehicle manufacturers to signify the brand, make, and country of origin, constituting the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the Dodge D-Series trucks, the WMI 1B7 points to vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States, covering model years from 1981 to 1993. Alternatively, the WMI 3B7 is associated with Dodge D-Series trucks produced by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca in Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico, explicitly for the 1992 to 1993 model years. These codes are essential for identifying specific information about the vehicle, including the manufacturing plant and vehicle type, proving invaluable for registration, insurance, and vehicle tracking purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge D-Series
WMI: 1B7
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1993
- Example VIN: 1B7KD26R4BS174014
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 3B7
- Model Years Covered: 1992-1993
- Example VIN: 3B7ME33C0NM570806
- Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Santa Fe
- State or Province: Mexico City
- Country: Mexico
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge D-Series VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Dodge’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes model variant, engine configuration, body style, and restraint system across the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Ram (now a separate brand) lineups. On Chargers and Challengers, the VDS is critical for confirming the specific engine variant — the 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI, 6.4L 392 HEMI, and supercharged 6.2L Hellcat/Demon variants are all available on the same body and require completely different maintenance and insurance cost expectations. Dodge muscle cars are among the most frequently modified used vehicles on the market, and confirming factory engine specification via VDS before a pre-purchase inspection is essential to distinguishing factory performance from modified one-off builds.
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 Dodge D-Series 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 Dodge D-Series VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| P | 1993 Dodge D-Series |
| N | 1992 Dodge D-Series |
| M | 1991 Dodge D-Series |
| L | 1990 Dodge D-Series |
| K | 1989 Dodge D-Series |
| J | 1988 Dodge D-Series |
| H | 1987 Dodge D-Series |
| G | 1986 Dodge D-Series |
| F | 1985 Dodge D-Series |
| E | 1984 Dodge D-Series |
| D | 1983 Dodge D-Series |
| C | 1982 Dodge D-Series |
| B | 1981 Dodge D-Series |
11th Character in the Dodge D-Series VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge D-Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | Mexico City | Mexico | Lago Alberto Assembly | 3B7ME33C0NM570806 | |
| S | Warren | Michigan | United States | Warren # 1 | 1B7KD26R4BS174014 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge D-Series
The final 6 characters in a Dodge D-Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Dodge D-Series’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge D-Series is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Dodge D-Series. Look for the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Dodge D-Series, as the VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Check any documentation related to the Dodge D-Series, such as the title, registration, or insurance policy, where the VIN is typically listed.
- Look under the hood of your Dodge D-Series at the front of the engine block. VINs are sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Inspect the rear wheel well of the Dodge D-Series. Look directly above the tire; occasionally, the VIN is placed in this area.
- Examine the frame of your Dodge D-Series, near the windshield washer fluid container. Sometimes, VINs are stamped onto the vehicle’s frame in this area.
Don’t have your Dodge D-Series’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge D-Series
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Displacement (CC) | 5200.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 317.32346929260 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 170 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | CMC |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | D-Series |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Other Engine Info | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Warren |
| Plant Company Name | Warren Truck assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Conventional Cab |
| Trim | 100 JOB RATED |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1B7FD04Y*JS |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample VIN | 1B7FD04Y2JS781558 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Dodge D-Series for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Dodge D-Series?
On most Dodge 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 Dodge D-Series's history for free?
Enter the Dodge D-Series’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 Dodge D-Series VIN numbers start with?
Dodge D-Series VIN's start with 1B7 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States, 3B7 for vehicles manufactured by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca in Mexico. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Dodge D-Series.
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