- What you'll get from Ford Bronco VIN check?
- Ford Bronco Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford Bronco VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford Bronco
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Bronco VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford Bronco VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford Bronco VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford Bronco VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford Bronco Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Bronco
- How to find a Ford Bronco's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Bronco
What you’ll get from Ford Bronco VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 2023 model.
- Engine Type: Detailed engine specifications, such as the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 manufactured by Ford, provide insights into the vehicle’s powerplant characteristics and performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) underscore the vehicle’s dedication to safety measures.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN indicates that the primary fuel type is gasoline, which is crucial for understanding operational costs and environmental considerations.
- Body Class: The vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatility and capability in various driving conditions.
- Drive Type: The VIN specifies All-Wheel Drive (AWD), suggesting the vehicle’s adaptability in different driving scenarios.
- Transmission Details: It is equipped with an automatic transmission with 10 speeds, offering insights into the vehicle’s drivability and performance attributes.
- Manufacturing Location: The vehicle was assembled in Wayne, Michigan, United States, offering clues about its production origin and cultural value.
Ford Bronco Vehicle History Risk Factors
Ford’s used vehicle market is enormous — the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America — which means the range of vehicle condition is equally wide. A Bumper VIN check on a used Ford addresses several high-frequency issues.
1.0L and 1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion (2013–2018 Escape, Fusion, Focus). Ford’s smaller EcoBoost engines in this generation had a well-documented defect where coolant could leak into the engine, causing overheating and, in some cases, engine fires. NHTSA investigated this issue extensively. A service record showing repeated coolant top-offs or a replaced head gasket is a significant red flag on these models.
6R80 transmission issues on F-150 (2011–2016). Ford’s six-speed automatic in this generation of F-150 generated substantial owner complaints and TSBs related to shuddering, hard shifts, and converter clutch failure. High-mileage examples from this era warrant close inspection of transmission service records.
Rust and frame integrity on pre-2015 F-150s. Earlier aluminum-free F-150s are susceptible to frame and cab corner rust in northern states. Check ownership registration history — a truck that’s spent its life in the Rust Belt will have a different condition profile than one from the Southwest.
Salvage frequency on high-demand models. F-150s, Mustangs, and Explorers appear disproportionately in salvage and rebuilt title databases because of their volume and resale value. Title washing — where a salvage-titled vehicle is re-registered in a lenient state to obtain a clean title — is a real risk on popular Ford trucks and SUVs.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Ford Bronco VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Bronco VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, and country of origin. For the Ford Bronco, the WMI 1FM signifies that the vehicle is manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code encompasses Broncos produced in specific model years ranging from 1981 to 1996 and then from 2021 to 2024, classifying these vehicles as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs). Through this unique identifier, one can decipher crucial manufacturing details about the Ford Bronco, including its origin and the company behind its production. The WMI is integral to understanding the vehicle’s history and authenticity, providing a clear snapshot of its manufacturing background.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Bronco
WMI: 1FM
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1996, 2021-2024
- Example VIN: 1FMEU15G5BLA31652
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Bronco VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Ford’s Vehicle Descriptor Section follows a consistent encoding structure across its F-Series, Explorer, Mustang, and Escape lineups, though the specific codes vary considerably by platform generation. For F-150s, the VDS encodes cab configuration, bed length, and engine type — all critical details when evaluating a used truck, since a VIN that decodes to a base 3.3L V6 is a very different vehicle than one with the 5.0L Coyote V8 or the 3.5L EcoBoost. The engine character in the VDS is particularly important on Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost models, where buyers frequently need to verify the specific engine variant for maintenance planning and insurance purposes.
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 Ford Bronco 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 Ford Bronco VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Ford Bronco |
| P | 2023 Ford Bronco |
| N | 2022 Ford Bronco |
| M | 2021 Ford Bronco |
| T | 1996 Ford Bronco |
| S | 1995 Ford Bronco |
| R | 1994 Ford Bronco |
| P | 1993 Ford Bronco |
| N | 1992 Ford Bronco |
| M | 1991 Ford Bronco |
| L | 1990 Ford Bronco |
| K | 1989 Ford Bronco |
| J | 1988 Ford Bronco |
| H | 1987 Ford Bronco |
| G | 1986 Ford Bronco |
| F | 1985 Ford Bronco |
| E | 1984 Ford Bronco |
| D | 1983 Ford Bronco |
| C | 1982 Ford Bronco |
| B | 1981 Ford Bronco |
11th Character in the Ford Bronco VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Bronco Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | Kansas City | Missouri | United States | 1FMEE5DP0NKX58808 | |
| L | Detroit | Michigan | United States | 1FMEU15G5BLA31652 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Bronco
The final 6 characters in a Ford Bronco’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 Ford Bronco’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Bronco is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Ford Bronco. You should be able to see the VIN displayed on a small metal plate.
- Look inside the door frame or on the door jamb of the driver’s side door of your Ford Bronco for a sticker or plate that lists the VIN.
- Check under the hood of your Ford Bronco; the VIN might be stamped on the engine block or displayed on a sticker attached to the engine compartment.
- Review your Ford Bronco’s vehicle registration documents or insurance paperwork, as the VIN will be listed on these documents.
Don’t have your Ford Bronco’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Bronco
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2700.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 164.76410905577 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.7 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Model | EcoBoost |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| 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) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Bronco |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Parking Assist | Standard |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Wayne |
| Plant Company Name | Michigan Asy |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Heritage Limited |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 10 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FMEE4GP*PL |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 1FMEE4GP0PLA70006 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford Bronco for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Ford Bronco?
On most Ford 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 Ford Bronco's history for free?
Enter the Ford Bronco’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 Ford Bronco VIN numbers start with?
Ford Bronco VIN's start with 1FM for vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Ford Bronco.
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