How to decode a 2009 Dodge Dakota VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Dodge Dakota VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and type. For example, the 2009 Dodge Dakota trucks have WMIs that start with “1D3” and “1D7”, indicating that these vehicles were manufactured by FCA US LLC (formerly known as Chrysler Group LLC) in the United States, specifically in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This designation is critical for identifying specific characteristics of a vehicle, including its manufacturing location, the company that produced it, and its general vehicle type. In the case of the 2009 Dodge Dakota, the WMI helps to classify these vehicles as trucks produced by FCA US LLC. The WMI is a crucial component of a vehicle’s identity, providing valuable information at a glance.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Dodge Dakota

WMI: 1D3

Model Years Covered: 2005-2009
Example VIN: 1D3HW22P39S762481
Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
Vehicle Type: Truck
City: Auburn Hills
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 1D7
Model Years Covered: 2003-2011
Example VIN: 1D7HE38K09S777183
Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
Vehicle Type: Truck
City: Auburn Hills
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2009 Dodge Dakota 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 2009 Dodge Dakota:

Known VDS for a 2009 Dodge Dakota
HW22P	HE38K	HE32K	HW32K	HE38P	HW78P	HE22K	HW72K	HE32P	HE58P
HW72P	HW22K	HW58P	HW58K	HW52P	HE28K	HW28K	HW38K	HW32P	HE58K
HW38P

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 2009 Dodge Dakota 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 2009 Dodge Dakota VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Dodge Dakota VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 Dodge Dakota Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
S	Warren	Michigan	United States	Warren Truck Assembly	1D3HW22P39S762481

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Dodge Dakota

The final 6 characters in a 2009 Dodge Dakota’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Dodge Dakota’s VIN below:

How to find a 2009 Dodge Dakota’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 Dodge Dakota is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Dodge Dakota. The VIN is often visible through the windshield on a small plate.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Dodge Dakota. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
Look at the engine block of your Dodge Dakota. The VIN can sometimes be found stamped on the engine itself.
Examine the front frame or the chassis of the Dodge Dakota for the VIN, as it may be stamped on the frame.
Investigate the rear wheel well on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Sometimes, the VIN is placed above the tire on the body of the vehicle.
Review your Dodge Dakota’s insurance card/insurance policy or title/registration documents, where the VIN should be recorded accurately.

What info can a 2009 Dodge Dakota VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating that it is a 2009 model and providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle may be equipped with a V-shaped engine, 8 cylinders, and a displacement of 4.7 liters, suggesting powerful performance capabilities.
Safety Features: The presence of front and side airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger) may illustrate the vehicle’s emphasis on passenger safety.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, possibly indicating its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Body Class and Drive Type: Classified as a Pickup with a 4x2 drive type, the vehicle’s design suggests it is suitable for both utility and personal use, accommodating various transportation needs.
Plant Information: Manufactured in Warren, Michigan by Warren Truck Assembly, this detail may signify the vehicle’s production origin within the United States.
Additional Features: Features like a hydraulic brake system, manual seat belt type, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) of the direct type possibly further detail the vehicle’s built-in safety and convenience attributes.

Don’t have your 2009 Dodge Dakota’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Dodge Dakota

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Pickup
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cab Type	Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended
Destination Market	U.S., Canada, Other Export Market (BUX)
Displacement (CC)	3700.0
Displacement (CI)	225.78785315050
Displacement (L)	3.7
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Dakota
Model Year	2009
Other Engine Info	Sales code:EKG
Plant City	Warren
Plant Company Name	Warren Truck assembly
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Michigan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	ND
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	SXT
Turbo	No
Vehicle Descriptor	1D3HE32K*9S
Vehicle Type	Truck
Sample_VIN	1D3HE32K49S765323