- What you'll get from Dodge Ramcharger VIN check?
- Dodge Ramcharger Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Ramcharger VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Ramcharger
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Ramcharger VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Dodge Ramcharger VIN.
- 10th Character in the Dodge Ramcharger VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Dodge Ramcharger VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Dodge Ramcharger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Ramcharger
- How to find a Dodge Ramcharger's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Ramcharger
What you’ll get from Dodge Ramcharger VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Destination Market: The vehicle is intended for the Mexico market, suggesting there might be specific features or adjustments made for that region.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN contains details for the make Ramcharger and indicates a 5.2-liter engine with a V-Shaped configuration, 170 horsepower, and an engine manufactured by CMC.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN specifies that it is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 2 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s size and usability features.
- Engine and Performance: Key engine information includes an 8-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection, a displacement of 5200 CC, and a drive type of 4x2, emphasizing its possible performance characteristics.
- Fuel Type: It is indicated that the primary fuel type is Gasoline, possibly providing insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Details: Information such as the manufacturing location being Mexico City and the plant company name Lago Alberto assembly possibly reflects on the vehicle’s production origin.
Dodge Ramcharger 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 Ramcharger VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Ramcharger VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-digit codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the make and country of origin of their vehicles. For the Dodge Ramcharger, two different WMIs were used during its production years, distinguishing vehicles manufactured in different locations and times. The 1B4 WMI was assigned to Ramchargers produced by FCA US LLC in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States, between 1982 and 1985. Subsequently, from 1986 to 1993, the 3B4 WMI denoted those manufactured by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca in Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico. These codes not only indicate the production origins but also link to specific model years, highlighting changes in manufacturing locations over time.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Ramcharger
WMI: 1B4
- Model Years Covered: 1982-1985
- Example VIN: 1B4GW12P3CS272352
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 3B4
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1993
- Example VIN: 3B4GW12W2GM602083
- 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 Dodge Ramcharger 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 Ramcharger 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 Ramcharger VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| P | 1993 Dodge Ramcharger |
| N | 1992 Dodge Ramcharger |
| M | 1991 Dodge Ramcharger |
| L | 1990 Dodge Ramcharger |
| K | 1989 Dodge Ramcharger |
| J | 1988 Dodge Ramcharger |
| H | 1987 Dodge Ramcharger |
| G | 1986 Dodge Ramcharger |
| F | 1985 Dodge Ramcharger |
| E | 1984 Dodge Ramcharger |
| D | 1983 Dodge Ramcharger |
| C | 1982 Dodge Ramcharger |
11th Character in the Dodge Ramcharger VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge Ramcharger 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 | 3B4GW12W2GM602083 | |
| S | Warren | Michigan | United States | Warren # 1 | 1B4GW12P3CS272352 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Ramcharger
The final 6 characters in a Dodge Ramcharger’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 Ramcharger’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge Ramcharger is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the driver’s side dashboard of your Dodge Ramcharger, visible through the windshield, where a metal plate securely displays the VIN.
- Inspect the door frame or door jamb on the driver’s side of your Dodge Ramcharger; the VIN is usually located on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Look at the engine block of your Dodge Ramcharger. The VIN can often be found stamped directly into the metal of the engine.
- Check your Dodge Ramcharger’s vehicle registration documents or insurance policy documents, as the VIN is always recorded there for identification and verification purposes.
- For older models of Dodge Ramcharger, examine the rear wheel well; the VIN might be stamped into the metal body just above the tire.
Don’t have your Dodge Ramcharger’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Ramcharger
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Destination Market | Mexico |
| Displacement (CC) | 5200.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 317.32346929260 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.2 |
| Doors | 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 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Ramcharger |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Other Engine Info | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Mexico City |
| Plant Company Name | Lago Alberto assembly |
| Plant Country | Mexico |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Trim | 150S |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 3B4GE07Y*KM |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 3B4GE07Y2KM918633 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Dodge Ramcharger 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 Ramcharger?
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 Ramcharger's history for free?
Enter the Dodge Ramcharger’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 Ramcharger VIN numbers start with?
Dodge Ramcharger VIN's start with 1B4 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States, 3B4 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 Ramcharger.
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Look up a Dodge Ramcharger by license plate:
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