Free Ford Explorer VIN Decoder

Discover the hidden features and history of your robust Ford Explorer with our free VIN decoder. Begin your exploration now by entering your VIN in the box below.

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How to decode a Ford Explorer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Ford Explorer VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code allocated to a vehicle manufacturer to identify the origin of its vehicles. In the case of the Ford Explorer, the WMI 1FM signifies that the vehicle was produced by Ford Motor Company, based in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. These first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provide critical information, including the manufacturer’s identity, the vehicle type, and the country of production. Specifically, for Ford Explorers with the WMI 1FM, it designates them as multipurpose passenger vehicles produced between the years 1991 and 2024. This system plays a crucial role in vehicle registration, identification, and recall processes globally.

List of WMI Codes for a Ford Explorer

WMI: 1FM

  • Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
  • Example VIN: 1FMDU32X1MUC54280
  • 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 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

  • Engine type
  • Transmission
  • Model or trim
  • Body style
  • Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a 2024 Ford Explorer:

100 Most Common VDS for a Ford Explorer
DU32XCU24XDU34XCU22XDU24XDU32PDU35PDU32EDU24ECU24E
CU22EDU34EZU32PZU32EYU22XZU34EYU24EYU22EZU35PZU32X
ZU24EYU24XZU34XDU83PZU73XDU70EZU84PZU71EZU63EDU65P
DU64PZU85PDU73XYU70EZU64EDU75EZU72XZU71XZU65PZU62X
YU60XZU63PZU74EYU70XDU84PZU70XZU72EZU62EDU63EDU65E
ZU75EZU64PZU83PZU70EDU64EDU85PYU60EDU72XZU73EZU63X
DU73EDU62XZU61XDU74ECU70EDU72EDU62EDU63PCU60EZU64W
DU75WZU65KDU73KZU72KZU74WDU74KZU75KDU73WZU74KDU72K
DU63KZU63WZU62KZU63KZU64KDU62KZU75WDU65WZU73WDU64W
ZU65WZU73KDU63WDU64KZU65EDU75KDU74WDU83WZU84KDU84W

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 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 VIN — Year Code

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

Known Ford Explorer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code Plant City Plant State Plant Country Plant Company Name Example VIN
4 Escobedo Mexico Navistar/Ford Jv 1FMDU70E024C80858
G Chicago Illinois United States 1FMHK7F80BGA00881
N Chicago Illinois United States Chicago Sho Center 1FM5K7FW0MNA00833
U Louisville Kentucky United States 1FMDU32X1MUC54280
Z Hazelwood (St. Louis) Missouri United States 1FMDU32X0SZB10672

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Explorer

The final 6 characters in a Ford Explorer’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’s VIN?

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

  1. Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Explorer. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield on a small plate.
  2. Examine the driver’s side door jamb of your Ford Explorer. The VIN is typically found on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
  3. Check the vehicle’s insurance card/insurance policy or the title and registration. The VIN is usually listed on these documents, making it easy to find without needing to go to your Ford Explorer.
  4. Look for the VIN on the engine block. This number is often stamped onto a part of the engine of your Ford Explorer and can be seen by opening the hood.
  5. Consult the rear wheel well. Directly above the tire, there might be a sticker or plate on the body of your Ford Explorer that includes the VIN.
VIN Decoder

What info can a Ford Explorer VIN reveal?

  • Model and Series: The VIN can reveal detailed information about the vehicle’s make and series, such as a Ford Explorer Platinum, which can help identify not just the brand and model but also the specific trim level.
  • Safety Systems: A VIN may indicate the presence of advanced safety features, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, and Lane Keeping Assistance, showcasing the vehicle’s technological advancements in ensuring passenger safety.
  • Engine and Performance: Details about the engine, such as it being a 3.5L GTDI V-Shaped configuration with 365 horsepower, highlight the vehicle’s power and engineering, providing insights into its performance capabilities.
  • Fuel Efficiency and Type: By decoding the VIN, one can learn about the primary fuel type, which in this case is gasoline, as well as the vehicle’s fuel injection type, offering clues about its fuel consumption and efficiency.
  • Body and Design: Information regarding the vehicle’s body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), along with specifics like the number of doors (4) and seating capacity (7 across 3 rows), may help prospective buyers or owners understand the vehicle’s design and capacity.
  • Drive Type and Transmission: The drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, paired with an automatic transmission style and six speeds, possibly provides essential details on the vehicle’s drivetrain and how it handles different driving conditions.
  • Manufacturing Details: Insights into the manufacturing, such as the plant location (Chicago, Illinois, United States) and company name (Chicago Assembly), may offer background on where and by whom the vehicle was produced, adding to its history and authenticity.
VIN Decoder

Don’t have your Ford Explorer’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Explorer

Vehicle Spec Value
Active Safety System Note Front 180-degree camera: Standard; Forward, Reverse and Side Sensing Systems: Standard; Cross-traffic Alert: Standard; Brake Support: Standard; My Key Tech, Hill Start Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) Standard
Axles 2
Backup Camera Standard
Base Price ($) 53940
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) 3500.0
Displacement (CI) 213.58310433156
Displacement (L) 3.5
Doors 4
Drive Type 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From 365
Engine Configuration V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer Ford
Engine Model 3.5L GTDI
Engine Number of Cylinders 6
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Standard
Front Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI)
Fuel Type - Primary Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Keyless Ignition Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations Passenger Seat Only
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) Standard
Model Explorer
Model Year 2018
Number of Seat Rows 3
Number of Seats 7
Number of Wheels 4
Parking Assist Standard
Plant City Chicago
Plant Company Name Chicago assembly
Plant Country United States
Plant State Illinois
Seat Belt Type Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching Standard
Series Platinum
Side Air Bag Locations 1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows
Steering Location Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type Direct
Top Speed (MPH) 122
Traction Control Standard
Transmission Speeds 6
Transmission Style Automatic
Turbo Yes
Vehicle Descriptor 1FM5K8HT*JG
Vehicle Type Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From 112.8
Wheel Size Front (inches) 20
Wheel Size Rear (inches) 20
Sample_VIN 1FM5K8HT0JGA02106

Decode a Ford VIN

Get a Ford Explorer History Report

2014 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FM5K8D83EGC19219

$11,500

Vehicle Mileage Mileage:
149,581
Vehicle Location Location:
301 38th St S,
2020 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FMSK8FH3LGA65172

$32,990

Vehicle Mileage Mileage:
24,206
Vehicle Location Location:
2200 Hwy 29 N,
Vehicle Color Color:
Blue ext
2019 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FM5K7D8XKGB03294

$21,500

Vehicle Mileage Mileage:
59,200
Vehicle Location Location:
Hagerstown, MD
Vehicle Color Color:
Black ext, Black int
2017 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FM5K7DH5HGC59820

$15,900

Vehicle Mileage Mileage:
92,143
Vehicle Location Location:
Eugene, OR
2016 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FM5K8D85GGA97871

$16,500

Vehicle Mileage Mileage:
88,000
Vehicle Location Location:
Millcreek, UT
2019 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FM5K7DHXKGB53824

$18,000

Vehicle Mileage Mileage:
76,400
Vehicle Location Location:
Artesia, CA
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