- What you'll get from Ford Probe VIN check?
- Ford Probe Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford Probe VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford Probe
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Probe VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford Probe VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford Probe VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford Probe VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford Probe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Probe
- How to find a Ford Probe's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Probe
What you’ll get from Ford Probe VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1996 [Make, Model], this may indicate a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with a certain number of doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type: Information regarding the engine’s specifications, such as its displacement (e.g., 2000 CC or 2.0 L), configuration (In-Line), and manufacturer (Mazda), might be included within the VIN, providing valuable details about the vehicle’s performance and power.
- Fuel Efficiency: The primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as Gasoline, may be discernible from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The presence and location of safety features like airbags, for example, 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), can be inferred from the VIN, contributing to understanding the vehicle’s safety standards.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN can categorize a vehicle within a certain GVWR range, such as Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, offering insights into the vehicle’s weight capacity and potential towing capability.
- Manufacturing Location: Details about the manufacturing, including the plant city (Flat Rock), country (United States), and company name (AAI), might be encoded in the VIN, giving insights into the vehicle’s origin and production.
Ford Probe 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 Probe VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Probe VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences utilized to identify the manufacturer and country of origin for vehicles. Specifically, the WMI code 1ZV is attributed to Auto Alliance International, USA, denoting vehicles produced within the United States. This particular identifier is pivotal in understanding vehicle origins, covering vehicle production years from 1989 to 1997. By examining the WMI in a vehicle’s identification number, one can discern essential details such as the manufacturer name, vehicle type, and the region of manufacture. For instance, vehicles with the 1ZV WMI were assembled in Washington, DC, underscoring their American manufacturing heritage.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Probe
WMI: 1ZV
- Model Years Covered: 1989-1997
- Example VIN: 1ZVBT22L0K5154567
- Manufacturer Name: Auto Alliance International, USA
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Wasington
- State or Province: DC
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Probe 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 Probe 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 Probe VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 Ford Probe |
| T | 1996 Ford Probe |
| S | 1995 Ford Probe |
| R | 1994 Ford Probe |
| P | 1993 Ford Probe |
| N | 1992 Ford Probe |
| M | 1991 Ford Probe |
| L | 1990 Ford Probe |
| K | 1989 Ford Probe |
11th Character in the Ford Probe VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Probe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Flat Rock | Michigan | United States | Aai | 1ZVBT22L0K5154567 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Probe
The final 6 characters in a Ford Probe’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 Probe’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Probe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Probe. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Ford Probe. The VIN is frequently found on a sticker or label where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of the Ford Probe. The VIN may be stamped on the engine block or on a plate attached to the chassis.
- If available, inspect the rear wheel well of the Ford Probe. Sometimes the VIN is found on the inside of the wheel well.
- Look at your Ford Probe’s insurance card or insurance policy documents. The VIN is typically listed with your vehicle information.
Don’t have your Ford Probe’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Probe
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.00 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.00 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 114 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 118 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Mazda |
| 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 | Probe |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belts: Active Belts( all designated positions with 3-point belts in all outboard positions) |
| Plant City | Flat Rock |
| Plant Company Name | AAI |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Trim | Base |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1ZVLT20A*T5 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | 1ZVLT20A5T5129803 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford Probe 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 Probe?
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 Probe's history for free?
Enter the Ford Probe’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 Probe VIN numbers start with?
Ford Probe VIN's start with 1ZV for vehicles manufactured by Auto Alliance International, USA in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Ford Probe.
Decode a Ford VIN
Look up a Ford Probe by license plate:
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