- What you'll get from Dodge Ram VIN check?
- Dodge Ram Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Ram VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Ram
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Ram VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Dodge Ram VIN.
- 10th Character in the Dodge Ram VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Dodge Ram VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Dodge Ram Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Ram
- How to find a Dodge Ram's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Ram
What you’ll get from Dodge Ram VIN check?
- Model Year and Manufacturing Details: The VIN may reveal the model year of the vehicle, possibly being 2011, and manufacturing details including the plant city Saltillo, the company name Saltillo assembly, and the country Mexico.
- Engine and Performance Specifications: The VIN can provide essential engine details such as a 5.7L displacement with 8 cylinders, and whether it has specific engine information like sales codes (EZC, EZE, EZH). It may also indicate that the vehicle has a 4WD drive type and does not feature a turbo.
- Vehicle Type and Body Specs: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Truck, specifically a Pickup with a Cab Type described as Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max, showcasing its size and passenger capacity.
- Safety and Security Features: The VIN might provide insight into safety features including the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, side airbags for all rows, and the inclusion of a Pretensioner system. It may also confirm the type of seat belt (Manual) and a Direct type Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
- Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Information: The VIN could include the primary fuel type used by the vehicle, which may be Gasoline, helping users understand fuel consumption patterns and possible environmental impact.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN might specify the vehicle’s weight class, identifying it as Class 2G, which ranges from 8,001 to 9,000 lb, indicating its capability and potential usage scenarios.
- Model Specifics and Trim Level: Finally, it could detail the model as Ram, with a specific series (Heavy Duty) and trim levels (2500, DJ2).
Dodge Ram 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 Ram VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Ram VIN
WMIs, or World Manufacturer Identifiers, are unique three-letter codes designated to every vehicle manufacturer by region and country to identify the origin and manufacturer of the vehicle. For the Dodge Ram, various WMIs such as 1B7 and 1D7 signify trucks manufactured by FCA US LLC in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States, covering model years from 1994 to 2011. Similarly, codes like 3B7, 3D7, and 3C6 represent Dodge Rams produced by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca in Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico, encompassing similar model years. These identifiers not only mark the geographic location of the manufacturing but also indicate the vehicle type, in this case, trucks, providing crucial information at a glance. This system ensures a standardized method for identifying vehicles globally, helping in vehicle registration, tracking, and recall initiatives.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Ram
WMI: 1B7
- Model Years Covered: 1994-2002
- Example VIN: 1B7KC26W1RS602396
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 3B7
- Model Years Covered: 1994-2002
- Example VIN: 3B7HC16X5RM544296
- Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Santa Fe
- State or Province: Mexico City
- Country: Mexico
WMI: 1D7
- Model Years Covered: 2002-2008, 2010-2011
- Example VIN: 1D7HU18Z02S530661
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1D3
- Model Years Covered: 2002-2009
- Example VIN: 1D3HA18N82J142025
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 3D7
- Model Years Covered: 2002-2011
- Example VIN: 3D7HU18N02G111343
- Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Santa Fe
- State or Province: Mexico City
- Country: Mexico
WMI: 3D3
- Model Years Covered: 2002-2009
- Example VIN: 3D3HU18Z12G121867
- Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Santa Fe
- State or Province: Mexico City
- Country: Mexico
WMI: 3C6
- Model Years Covered: 2012
- Example VIN: 3C6LD4RT0CG265238
- Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Santa Fe
- State or Province: Mexico City
- Country: Mexico
WMI: 1C6
- Model Years Covered: 2012
- Example VIN: 1C6RD7PT0CS122183
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1B3
- Model Years Covered: 2002
- Example VIN: 1B3HU18Z22J101412
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 2C4
- Model Years Covered: 2012
- Example VIN: 2C4JDGAG0CR185562
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Ram 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 Ram 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 Ram VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 Dodge Ram |
| B | 2011 Dodge Ram |
| A | 2010 Dodge Ram |
| 9 | 2009 Dodge Ram |
| 8 | 2008 Dodge Ram |
| 7 | 2007 Dodge Ram |
| 6 | 2006 Dodge Ram |
| 5 | 2005 Dodge Ram |
| 4 | 2004 Dodge Ram |
| 3 | 2003 Dodge Ram |
| 2 | 2002 Dodge Ram |
| 1 | 2001 Dodge Ram |
| Y | 2000 Dodge Ram |
| X | 1999 Dodge Ram |
| W | 1998 Dodge Ram |
| V | 1997 Dodge Ram |
| T | 1996 Dodge Ram |
| S | 1995 Dodge Ram |
| R | 1994 Dodge Ram |
11th Character in the Dodge Ram VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge Ram Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valencia | Venezuela | C.D.V. | 1D7KS28C261154120 | |
| 2 | Cordoba | Argentina | 1D7HU182182612765 | ||
| 5 | Dusseldorf | Germany | 1D7HU182575106644 | ||
| 6 | Taipei | Taiwan | China Motor Corporation (C.M.C.) | 1D7HA182266J20129 | |
| 9 | Ludwigsfelde | Germany | 1D7HU18N069568918 | ||
| A | Auburn Hills | Michigan | United States | Ctc Pre-Production & Pilot | 1D7HA16N43A535961 |
| F | Newark | Delaware | United States | Newark Assembly | 1D7HU18PX7FJ91003 |
| G | Saltillo | Coahuila | Mexico | Saltillo Assembly | 3B7HC13Z7SG706830 |
| J | Fenton | Missouri | United States | St. Louis Assembly North | 1B7MF36W2TJ180528 |
| M | Mexico City | Mexico | Lago Alberto Assembly | 3B7HC16X5RM544296 | |
| P | Toledo | Ohio | United States | Toledo Assembly #2 | 3C6UD5DL2CP102771 |
| R | Ontario | Canada | Windsor Assembly | 2C4JDGAG0CR185562 | |
| S | Warren | Michigan | United States | Dodge City Assembly | 1B7KC26W1RS602396 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Ram
The final 6 characters in a Dodge Ram’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 Dodge Ram’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge Ram is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Dodge Ram. Typically, the VIN can be found on a small metal plate visible through the windshield.
- Check the door frame on the driver’s side of your Dodge Ram. The VIN may be located on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches.
- Look at the engine block of your Dodge Ram. The VIN is often engraved on the engine itself for additional identification.
- Inspect the rear wheel well. The VIN might be found on the inside of the wheel well of your Dodge Ram.
- Review the front of the vehicle frame, near the windshield washer fluid container. Your Dodge Ram’s VIN could be stamped directly on the frame.
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Don’t have your Dodge Ram’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Ram
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Bed Type | Short |
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cab Type | Regular |
| Displacement (CC) | 3700.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 225.78785315050 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.7 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Fuel Type - Secondary | Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Model | Ram |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Engine Info | Sales Code: EKG, EKH |
| Other Restraint System Info | Active Seat Belt |
| Plant City | Saltillo |
| Plant Company Name | Saltillo assembly |
| Plant Country | Mexico |
| Plant State | Coahuila |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | DS |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Trim | 1500-ST |
| Turbo | No |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 3C6JD6AK*CG |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample VIN | 3C6JD6AK0CG110727 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Dodge Ram 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 Ram?
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 Ram's history for free?
Enter the Dodge Ram’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 Ram VIN numbers start with?
Dodge Ram VIN's start with 1B7, 1D7, 1D3, 1C6, and 1B3 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States, 3B7, 3D7, 3D3, and 3C6 for vehicles manufactured by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca in Mexico, 2C4 for vehicles manufactured by FCA Canada Inc. in Canada. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Dodge Ram.
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