How to decode a 1999 Ford Escort VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Ford Escort VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to automotive manufacturers to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For instance, the 1999 Ford Escort utilizes the WMI “1FA,” denoting it as a product of the Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is pivotal in the automotive industry, as it provides critical information regarding the origin and classification of vehicles. In the case of the 1999 Ford Escort, the WMI indicates that it is classified as a passenger car, illustrating how WMIs can also offer insights into vehicle categorization. Such identifiers are essential for regulatory, service, and manufacturing purposes, ensuring vehicles are appropriately tracked and identified globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Ford Escort

WMI: 1FA

Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986, 1988-1999
Example VIN: 1FAFP10P0XW186158
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Dearborn
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3FA
Model Years Covered: 1991-2002
Example VIN: 3FAFP15P1XR110170
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Rioverde
State or Province: S.L.P.
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Ford Escort 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 1999 Ford Escort:

Known VDS for a 1999 Ford Escort
FP10P	FP13P	FP15P

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 1999 Ford Escort 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 1999 Ford Escort VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Ford Escort VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Hermosillo	Sonora	Mexico		3FAFP15P1XR110170
W	Wayne	Michigan	United States		1FAFP10P0XW186158

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Ford Escort

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Ford Escort’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 1999 Ford Escort’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Ford Escort is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Ford Escort. The VIN is frequently positioned so that it’s visible through the windshield.
Check the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed. There is often a sticker with the VIN on your Ford Escort.
Examine the engine block, as the VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the engine of your 1999 Ford Escort.
Review your vehicle’s title or registration documents, which will always list the VIN for your Ford Escort.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire. In some models, including the 1999 Ford Escort, the VIN might be found in this area.
Look for the VIN on the firewall of the vehicle – the metal divider between the engine and the passenger compartment.

What info can a 1999 Ford Escort VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 1999, providing insights into the age and potential technological and safety features of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN data indicates that the vehicle is a Ford Escort with a 2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine, offering details about its size, type, and performance capabilities.
Fuel Type - Primary: The primary fuel type specified by the VIN is Gasoline, which can be crucial for understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The VIN outlines specific safety equipment present in the vehicle, including front airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger.
Engine Information: Details such as the engine’s displacement in liters (2.0L), horsepower (starting from 110 hp), and features like Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) are encoded within the VIN, offering a detailed look at the engine’s characteristics.
Plant Information: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, providing details about its production origin, which can be essential for understanding potential market-specific features or importation aspects.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN data indicates that the vehicle falls within Class 1, indicating a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, which helps in assessing the vehicle’s size and potential usage scenarios such as payload capacity.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Ford Escort

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Wagon
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Destination Market	U.S.
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	110
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Ford
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Escort
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	SPI: Split Port Induction - EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection
Plant City	Hermosillo
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Sonora
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	SE
Vehicle Descriptor	3FAFP15P*XR
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3FAFP15P1XR110170