- What you'll get from Ford Explorer Sport VIN check?
- Ford Explorer Sport Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford Explorer Sport VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford Explorer Sport
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Explorer Sport VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford Explorer Sport VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford Explorer Sport VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford Explorer Sport VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford Explorer Sport Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Explorer Sport
- How to find a Ford Explorer Sport's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Explorer Sport
What you’ll get from Ford Explorer Sport VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN discloses that the vehicle was manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, affirming the vehicle’s origins and providing insights into the manufacturing standards and regulations applicable at the time of production.
- Vehicle Type and Engine: This VIN identifies the vehicle as a Ford Explorer Sport, classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a 4.0L V-Shaped engine, showcasing the vehicle’s design targeted towards performance and utility.
- Engine Performance: Key performance metrics can be inferred, including an engine displacement of 4000cc (or 4.0 liters) and an engine horsepower starting from 203 hp. This information provides insights into the vehicle’s power and capability.
- Drive Type: The VIN can also specify the drive type, revealing it features a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) system, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Brake System: The VIN indicates the presence of a hydraulic brake system, which could contribute to the vehicle’s robust braking performance.
- Safety Features: Safety features include front airbags for both the driver and passenger, which can highlight the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety during collisions.
- Fuel Efficiency: The VIN identifies the primary fuel type as gasoline, allowing potential owners to gauge fuel efficiency and estimate running costs, as well as understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify specifications such as a 2-door configuration and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating from Class 1D, highlighting the vehicle’s physical dimensions and load-carrying capacity, useful for assessing its suitability for various uses and payloads.
Ford Explorer Sport 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 Explorer Sport VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Explorer Sport VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing year, location, and specific attributes. For instance, Ford Motor Company, known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including the Ford Explorer Sport, uses the WMI ‘1FM’ to denote vehicles manufactured in their facilities. Specifically, this identifies vehicles made in the United States, with Michigan’s Dearborn city being a notable manufacturing site for various models. The WMI helps in easily recognizing the vehicle’s origin and the company responsible for its production, emphasizing the global standardization in vehicle identification.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Explorer Sport
WMI: 1FM
- Model Years Covered: 2003
- Example VIN: 1FMYU60E03UA04418
- 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 Explorer Sport 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 Explorer Sport 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 Explorer Sport VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 3 | 2003 Ford Explorer Sport |
11th Character in the Ford Explorer Sport VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Explorer Sport Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | Louisville | Kentucky | United States | Louisville | 1FMYU60E03UA04418 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Explorer Sport
The final 6 characters in a Ford Explorer Sport’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 Explorer Sport’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Explorer Sport is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Ford Explorer Sport. The VIN is usually displayed on a small plaque visible through the glass.
- Check the doorjamb on the driver’s side of your Ford Explorer Sport. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the vehicle’s insurance card or insurance policy documents. The VIN of your Ford Explorer Sport should be listed among the details provided.
- Review the vehicle title and registration documents. The VIN for your Ford Explorer Sport will be printed on these official documents.
- Inspect the engine block of the Ford Explorer Sport. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine itself.
Don’t have your Ford Explorer Sport’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Explorer Sport
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 4000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 244.09497637892 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 203 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Explorer Sport |
| Model Year | 2003 |
| Plant City | Louisville |
| Plant Company Name | Louisville |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Kentucky |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FMZU70E*3U |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 1FMZU70E03UA38143 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford Explorer Sport 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 Explorer Sport?
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 Explorer Sport's history for free?
Enter the Ford Explorer Sport’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 Explorer Sport VIN numbers start with?
Ford Explorer Sport 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 Explorer Sport.
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