- What you'll get from Ford Fiesta VIN check?
- Ford Fiesta Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford Fiesta VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford Fiesta
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Fiesta VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford Fiesta VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford Fiesta VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford Fiesta VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford Fiesta Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Fiesta
- How to find a Ford Fiesta's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Fiesta
What you’ll get from Ford Fiesta VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which in the case of the Ford Fiesta ST is 2018, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class, indicating that for the Ford Fiesta ST, this may be a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the Ford Fiesta ST, it is a front-wheel drive (FWD), offering insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: Detailed engine specifications, such as the 1.6L GTDI engine optimized for premium fuel with an in-line configuration and producing up to 197 horsepower, can be uncovered. This provides a solid snapshot of the vehicle’s performance capabilities, fuel efficiency, and power.
- Safety Features: The VIN can reveal a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including front and side airbags, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and a backup camera, highlighting the vehicle’s emphasis on safety.
- Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the Ford Fiesta ST runs on gasoline, suggesting its energy source and potential impact on fuel efficiency and environmental footprint.
- Transmission: Information about the vehicle’s transmission style, which is a manual/standard with 6 speeds, can be provided, offering insights into the driving mechanics and user experience.
Ford Fiesta 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 Fiesta VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Fiesta VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial string of characters in a vehicle identification number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For instance, Ford Fiestas manufactured in Mexico from 2011 to 2019 bear the WMI 3FA. This identifier not only reveals that the Ford Motor Company is the manufacturer but also specifies that these vehicles were assembled in Rioverde, in the state of San Luis Potosí (S.L.P.), Mexico. The WMI is a critical component of the VIN, serving as a global standard to ensure every vehicle can be uniquely traced to its maker, vehicle type, and the country of manufacturing.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Fiesta
WMI: 3FA
- Model Years Covered: 2011-2019
- Example VIN: 3FADP4FJ0BM100433
- 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 Ford Fiesta 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 Fiesta 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 Fiesta VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 2019 Ford Fiesta |
| J | 2018 Ford Fiesta |
| H | 2017 Ford Fiesta |
| G | 2016 Ford Fiesta |
| F | 2015 Ford Fiesta |
| E | 2014 Ford Fiesta |
| D | 2013 Ford Fiesta |
| C | 2012 Ford Fiesta |
| B | 2011 Ford Fiesta |
11th Character in the Ford Fiesta VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Fiesta Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | Cuautitlan | Mexico | 3FADP4FJ0BM100433 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Fiesta
The final 6 characters in a Ford Fiesta’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 Fiesta’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Fiesta is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the lower-left corner of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel of your Ford Fiesta. You can view the VIN through the windshield.
- Examine the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door, as it is common to find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
- Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance card, or title, where the VIN of the Ford Fiesta is typically listed.
- Check under the hood. The VIN might also be stamped on the engine block or affixed to the body near the engine compartment of the Ford Fiesta.
Don’t have your Ford Fiesta’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Fiesta
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | My Key Tech |
| 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 ($) | 21285.00 |
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 1600.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 97.63799055157 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.6 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 197 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Model | 1.6L GTDI Prem. Fuel |
| 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) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Model | Fiesta |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Plant City | Cuautitlan |
| Plant Company Name | Cuautitilan |
| Plant Country | Mexico |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | ST |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 130 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 3FADP4GX*JM |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 98.00 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 17 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 17 |
| Sample VIN | 3FADP4GX0JM101003 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford Fiesta 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 Fiesta?
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 Fiesta's history for free?
Enter the Ford Fiesta’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 Fiesta VIN numbers start with?
Ford Fiesta VIN's start with 3FA for vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company, Mexico in Mexico. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Ford Fiesta.
Decode a Ford VIN
Look up a Ford Fiesta by license plate:
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