How to decode a 2001 Ford Escort VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Ford Escort VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. The WMI code for the 2001 Ford Escort, produced in Mexico, is “3FA”. This code indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico. The use of WMIs is crucial for accurately identifying vehicles, as it provides essential information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of production, and vehicle type. In the case of the 2001 Ford Escort, the “3FA” WMI signifies it as a passenger car manufactured by Ford in Mexico.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 Ford Escort

WMI: 3FA

Model Years Covered: 1991-2002
Example VIN: 3FAFP13P01R141324
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 2001 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 2001 Ford Escort:

Known VDS for a 2001 Ford Escort
FP13P

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 2001 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 2001 Ford Escort VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

11th Character in the 2001 Ford Escort VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2001 Ford Escort Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Hermosillo	Sonora	Mexico		3FAFP13P01R141324

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Ford Escort

The final 6 characters in a 2001 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 2001 Ford Escort’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2001 Ford Escort is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2001 Ford Escort. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
Open the driver’s side door to inspect the door jamb. There might be a sticker or label on the door pillar of your Ford Escort that has the VIN printed on it.
Check the engine block of your 2001 Ford Escort. The VIN may be stamped directly on the engine itself.
Examine the firewall of the vehicle within the engine compartment for a VIN plate on your Ford Escort.
Look at your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title/ownership documents, where the VIN of your Ford Escort should be mentioned.

What info can a 2001 Ford Escort VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2001, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the Ford Escort is a Sedan/Saloon, potentially with a specific displacement and engine configuration, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Performance: The engine might deliver around 110 horsepower, driven by a 4-cylinder engine manufactured by Ford, highlighting the blend of performance and efficiency in the vehicle.
Safety Features: Essential safety features can be inferred, such as the inclusion of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, indicative of the vehicle’s dedication to occupant protection.
Fuel Type: A VIN decode might reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, for instance, gasoline, offering insights into fuel efficiency and performance characteristics.
Manufacturing Information: VINs often encode manufacturing details, including the plant city (Hermosillo), country (Mexico), and state (Sonora), providing a glimpse into the global footprint of the automotive industry.
Vehicle and Market Specifications: Additional specifics like the destination market (U.S.), the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (Class 1: 6,000 lb or less), and the type of vehicle (Passenger Car) are also encoded, offering comprehensive details relevant for various stakeholders.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 Ford Escort

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
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	2001
Other Engine Info	EFI- SPI
Plant City	Hermosillo
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Sonora
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	SE
Vehicle Descriptor	3FAFP13P*1R
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3FAFP13P01R141324