Free 1998 Ford Taurus VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Ford Taurus VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Ford Taurus VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter sequences that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, along with its country of origin and vehicle type. For the 1998 Ford Taurus, the WMI “1FA” reveals that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code indicates the vehicle belongs to the passenger car category, providing a quick reference to understand where and by whom the vehicle was made. WMIs are essential tools in decoding vehicle identification numbers (VINs), allowing for the easy retrieval of crucial vehicle information. For the 1998 Ford Taurus, the WMI is a doorway to understanding its foundational manufacturing details.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Ford Taurus

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1987-2019
• Example VIN: 1FAFP52U0WG105386
• 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 1998 Ford Taurus 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 1998 Ford Taurus:

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 1998 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 1998 Ford Taurus VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Ford Taurus VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Ford Taurus Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Ford Taurus

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Ford Taurus’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Taurus’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1998 Ford Taurus VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, indicating the year as 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, providing details into the vehicle’s design and structure. For instance, it may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors for the 1998 Ford Taurus LX, offering insights into the vehicle’s body style and functionality.
• Engine Type: It can reveal comprehensive engine details including manufacturer, configuration, number of cylinders, and power output, such as the example of a Ford engine with a V-Shaped configuration, 6 cylinders, and horsepower ranging from 145 to 150.
• Fuel Type: The type of fuel a vehicle primarily uses, with potential for identifying secondary fuel types if the vehicle supports it. For example, primary fuel type as Gasoline and secondary as Ethanol (E85), providing insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and options.
• Safety Features: From the VIN, one could determine standard safety features such as the locations of front airbags, in this case, in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN may uncover where a vehicle was assembled, including city, state, and country, as demonstrated with a vehicle manufactured in Chicago, Illinois, United States, providing insights into the vehicle’s production origin.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Through a VIN, one can discern the vehicle’s weight class, indicating the vehicle’s weight rating and capacity. For example, the vehicle falls into Class 1, indicating a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 lb or less, offering insights into the vehicle’s load and towing capacity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Ford Taurus

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