How to decode a 2011 Ford Explorer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2011 Ford Explorer VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are critical components of a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), specifically designed to indicate the manufacturer and region of production. For the 2011 Ford Explorer, the WMI “1FM” signifies that it was produced by the Ford Motor Company in the United States, pinpointing its origin to Dearborn, Michigan. This part of the VIN reveals the vehicle’s categorization as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), a classification that includes SUVs and minivans. The WMI is essential for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer and production location, serving as a global standard for organizing and tracking vehicles. The 2011 Ford Explorer’s WMI also informs us that it was manufactured between the years 1991 to 2024, demonstrating the enduring presence of Ford’s production in the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2011 Ford Explorer

WMI: 1FM

Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
Example VIN: 1FMHK7F80BGA00881
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 2011 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 2011 Ford Explorer:

Known VDS for a 2011 Ford Explorer
HK7F8	HK7D8	HK8F8	HK7B8	HK8B8	HK8D8

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 2011 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 2011 Ford Explorer VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
B	2011

11th Character in the 2011 Ford Explorer VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2011 Ford Explorer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Chicago	Illinois	United States		1FMHK7F80BGA00881

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2011 Ford Explorer

The final 6 characters in a 2011 Ford Explorer’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Explorer’s VIN below:

How to find a 2011 Ford Explorer’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2011 Ford Explorer is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Explorer. The VIN is often visible through the windshield on a small plate.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Ford Explorer. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
Look at the frame of the vehicle under the hood. There might be a stamped VIN on the Ford Explorer’s chassis or firewall.
Examine the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, the VIN can be found in this area of your Ford Explorer.
Check your Ford Explorer’s insurance card/policy, vehicle title, or registration documents, which will all have the VIN printed on them.

What info can a 2011 Ford Explorer VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2011, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Drive Type: It specifies the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), offering clues about the vehicle’s design and functionality.
Engine Specifications: The details include a 3.5L V-Shaped engine with a displacement of 3500 CC, manufactured by Ford with a horsepower rating starting from 290. This information suggests the vehicle’s performance capabilities and fuel type, which is gasoline.
Safety Features: Safety equipment such as Front Air Bags for the driver and passenger, along with Side Air Bags spanning the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rows indicate comprehensive passive safety features.
Additional Key Specs: Features like a hydraulic brake system, manual seat belt type, and a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) provide further insight into the vehicle’s specifications and onboard safety technologies.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN decodes to show manufacturing details such as the assembly in Chicago, Illinois, United States, giving insight into the vehicle’s production location.

Don’t have your 2011 Ford Explorer’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2011 Ford Explorer

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Brake (hp) From	290
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 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Explorer
Model Year	2011
Other Engine Info	Ti-VCT
Plant City	Chicago
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Illinois
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	XLT
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	1FMHK8D8*BG
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1FMHK8D80BGA00579