Free 1996 Ford Explorer VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Ford Explorer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Explorer VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as specific characteristics about it. For a 1996 Ford Explorer, the WMI is “1FM,” which indicates that Ford Motor Company, located in Dearborn, Michigan, USA, is the manufacturer. The vehicle type associated with this WMI is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), denoting its design for various uses, including passenger transportation. This identifier is the first section of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing essential details about the vehicle’s origin and type. The WMI is a crucial tool in vehicle identification, allowing for the tracking and registration of vehicles across the globe.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Explorer

WMI: 1FM

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
• Example VIN: 1FMDU32X0TZA03638
• 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 1996 Ford Explorer 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 1996 Ford Explorer:

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 1996 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 1996 Ford Explorer VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Ford Explorer VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Ford Explorer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Explorer

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford Explorer’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 Ford Explorer VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN decode report can specify the body class, showcasing the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with the model being the Explorer and the series XL, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: The engine specifics, such as a 4.0 Liter V-Shaped configuration with 6 cylinders, manufactured by Ford, can indicate the vehicle’s power capacity and design.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: Decoding this VIN can provide the primary fuel type, which for the Ford Explorer is gasoline, coupled with details like a horsepower range from 152.00 to 160, shedding light on its performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: Critical safety details, such as the location of front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, alongside the type of seat belts, which are manual, offer insights into the vehicle’s safety features.
• Manufacturing Location: Information about the production location is detailed in the VIN, indicating that the vehicle was assembled in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, which can be insightful for understanding its manufacturing background.
• Drive Type and Capacity: The report also highlights the vehicle’s drive type as 4x2 and includes a gross vehicle weight rating, positioning it within Class 1C, suggesting its capacity and suitability for various driving conditions.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Explorer

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