How to decode a 2003 Ford Focus VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Ford Focus VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. For the 2003 Ford Focus, the WMI “1FA” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is critical for identifying the vehicle’s origin and manufacturer, making it an essential part of automotive identification and tracking. Through the WMI, the 2003 Ford Focus is categorized as a passenger car, highlighting its intended use and manufacturing specifications defined by Ford in the U.S. market.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Ford Focus

WMI: 1FA

Model Years Covered: 2000-2018
Example VIN: 1FAHP36Z03W237326
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Dearborn
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3FA
Model Years Covered: 2000-2005
Example VIN: 3FAHP37323R114222
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 2003 Ford Focus 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 2003 Ford Focus:

Known VDS for a 2003 Ford Focus
HP36Z	HP373	HP343	HP33P	HP313	HP375	HP383	FP34P	FP38Z	FP343
HP34Z	HP38Z	HP395	FP37Z	HP37Z	FP313	FP36Z	FP31Z	HP363	HP34P
FP33P	FP373	FP34Z	FP363	FP383	FP33Z

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 2003 Ford Focus 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 2003 Ford Focus VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Ford Focus VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Ford Focus Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Hermosillo		Mexico	Hermosillo	3FAHP37323R114222
W	Wixom	Michigan	United States	Wixom	1FAHP36Z03W237326

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Ford Focus

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Ford Focus’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2003 Ford Focus’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Ford Focus is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Focus, close to where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
Check the driver’s side door jamb on your 2003 Ford Focus. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when it is closed.
Examine the engine block of your Ford Focus. The VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the engine itself.
Review the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, as they always have the VIN listed for your Ford Focus.
Inspect the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid for a VIN plate on your 2003 Focus. Remember to always verify the VIN in multiple locations to ensure consistency and authenticity of the vehicle’s identification.

What info can a 2003 Ford Focus VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Details: The VIN specifies that the engine is manufactured by Ford, with a displacement of 2.0 liters (or 2000.0 CC/122.047 CI), 130 horsepower, an In-Line configuration, and features a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design. Named ZETEC, this setup might be indicative of a certain level of performance and engineering.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN information points to gasoline as the primary fuel type, possibly hinting at the vehicle’s fuel consumption patterns and potential environmental impact.
Safety Features: Airbag locations include both the 1st row for the driver and passenger as well as curtain and side airbags, offering possible insights into the vehicle’s safety measures and protective design for occupants.
Body and Design Specifics: Classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, the vehicle caters to practicality and comfort, possibly suited for families or individuals seeking spacious interiors.
Manufacturing Context: Assembled in Wixom, Michigan, United States, by the Plant Company named Wixom, this detail might hint at the manufacturing quality but also at the logistic and economic context of its production.
Additional Vehicle Attributes: The VIN highlights the vehicle as a passenger car under the Focus model line, with the ZTS series designation, coupled with manual seat belts, possibly enhancing the overall driver and passenger experience.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Ford Focus

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	130
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Ford
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)
Model	Focus
Model Year	2003
Other Engine Info	ZETEC
Plant City	Wixom
Plant Company Name	Wixom
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Michigan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	ZTS
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1FAHP383*3W
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1FAHP38313W145425