- What you'll get from Ford Taurus VIN check?
- Ford Taurus Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford Taurus VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford Taurus
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Taurus VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford Taurus VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford Taurus VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford Taurus VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford Taurus Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Taurus
- How to find a Ford Taurus's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Taurus
What you’ll get from Ford Taurus VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 2018. This provides insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, potentially indicating the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon. This may offer 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 2018 Ford Taurus, it might be an All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine Type: Detailed engine information, such as a V-Shaped, 3.5L GTDI engine manufactured by Ford, possibly with a horsepower of 365, provides insights into the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features encoded in the VIN, including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and airbag locations in both the 1st and 2nd rows, might highlight the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: Information about the vehicle running on Gasoline, possibly with Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) for fuel delivery, may indicate its fuel usage and efficiency metrics.
- Advanced Technology Options: The VIN markings for features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), and Backup Camera may showcase the vehicle’s available technological advancements.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN might provide information about the vehicle’s production location, such as the plant city being Chicago, in the United States, offering clues to manufacturing standards and regional specifications.
Ford Taurus 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 Taurus VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Taurus VIN
A WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) is a three-letter code that forms the first segment of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. In the case of the Ford Taurus, the WMI 1FA signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company, a major automobile manufacturer based in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. This specific identifier is crucial in pinpointing the vehicle’s manufacturing origin, ensuring compatibility for parts and services, and verifying authenticity. It covers Ford Taurus models produced between the years 1987 and 2019, indicating the long production history of this model. The WMI, as part of the VIN, is a critical tool for tracking the history, recalls, and specifications of vehicles globally.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Taurus
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1987-2019
- Example VIN: 1FABP55U0HG198102
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Taurus 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 Taurus 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 Taurus VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 2019 Ford Taurus |
| J | 2018 Ford Taurus |
| H | 2017 Ford Taurus |
| G | 2016 Ford Taurus |
| F | 2015 Ford Taurus |
| E | 2014 Ford Taurus |
| D | 2013 Ford Taurus |
| C | 2012 Ford Taurus |
| B | 2011 Ford Taurus |
| A | 2010 Ford Taurus |
| 9 | 2009 Ford Taurus |
| 8 | 2008 Ford Taurus |
| 7 | 2007 Ford Taurus |
| 6 | 2006 Ford Taurus |
| 5 | 2005 Ford Taurus |
| 4 | 2004 Ford Taurus |
| 3 | 2003 Ford Taurus |
| 2 | 2002 Ford Taurus |
| 1 | 2001 Ford Taurus |
| Y | 2000 Ford Taurus |
| X | 1999 Ford Taurus |
| W | 1998 Ford Taurus |
| V | 1997 Ford Taurus |
| T | 1996 Ford Taurus |
| S | 1995 Ford Taurus |
| R | 1994 Ford Taurus |
| P | 1993 Ford Taurus |
| N | 1992 Ford Taurus |
| M | 1991 Ford Taurus |
| L | 1990 Ford Taurus |
| K | 1989 Ford Taurus |
| J | 1988 Ford Taurus |
| H | 1987 Ford Taurus |
11th Character in the Ford Taurus VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Taurus Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Atlanta | Georgia | United States | 1FABP50U2JA215997 | |
| G | Chicago | Illinois | United States | 1FABP55U0HG198102 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Taurus
The final 6 characters in a Ford Taurus’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 Taurus’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Taurus is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Taurus. The VIN is usually visible through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb on your Ford Taurus. The VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- Look at the engine block of your Ford Taurus. The VIN might also be engraved on the engine itself, providing another method to verify it.
- Check your Ford Taurus’s insurance card/insurance policy. The VIN is usually listed on these documents along with other important vehicle information.
- Review the vehicle title and registration documents of your Ford Taurus. These official documents should contain the VIN.
Don’t have your Ford Taurus’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Taurus
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Cross-traffic Alert: Standard; Reverse Sensing System: Standard; Brake support: Optional; My Key Tech |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| 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 ($) | 42865.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 365 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Model | 3.5L GTDI |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Optional |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) |
| 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 |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Optional |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Optional |
| Model | Taurus |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Engine Info | Premium Fuel |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Plant City | Chicago |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Illinois |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | SHO AWD |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FAHP2KT*JG |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 112.9 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 20 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 20 |
| Sample VIN | 1FAHP2KT0JG101605 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford Taurus 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 Taurus?
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 Taurus's history for free?
Enter the Ford Taurus’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 Taurus VIN numbers start with?
Ford Taurus VIN's start with 1FA for vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company 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 Taurus.
Decode a Ford VIN
Look up a Ford Taurus by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today