How to decode a 1996 Ford Windstar VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Windstar VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as its type and the location of its production. For example, Ford Windstars produced between 1995 and 2003 have a specific WMI indicating they were manufactured by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. This code, applied to vehicles such as the 1996 Ford Windstar, distinguishes it as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) crafted in Canada, offering unique insights into the vehicle’s origins and specifications. WMIs are integral to understanding the global lineage of vehicles, providing a concise method for tracking and registration.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Windstar
WMI: 2FM
- Model Years Covered: 1995-2003
- Example VIN: 2FMDA51U8TBA21156
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Oakville
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Ford Windstar 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 1996 Ford Windstar:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Ford Windstar | |
|---|---|
| DA51U | DA514 |
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 1996 Ford Windstar 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 1996 Ford Windstar VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Ford Windstar VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 Ford Windstar Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Oakville | Ontario | Canada | 2FMDA51U8TBA21156 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Windstar
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford Windstar’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1996 Ford Windstar’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 Ford Windstar is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1996 Ford Windstar. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Ford Windstar. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect the engine block of your 1996 Ford Windstar, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check the frame of the car, near the windshield washer fluid tank in the Ford Windstar, since the VIN may also be stamped into the car’s frame.
- Review your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, which should all contain the VIN of your 1996 Ford Windstar.
What info can a 1996 Ford Windstar VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential technological features of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN decodes to a Ford Windstar LX, indicating a minivan body class with a 3.0L V-Shaped engine configuration, manufactured by Ford. Such details help in understanding the vehicle’s design and performance capabilities.
- Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: The VIN reveals the engine’s power, with horsepower ranging from 140 to 150, and indicates that it operates on gasoline as its primary fuel type. This suggests the vehicle’s performance range and its environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, providing valuable information on the vehicle’s safety measures designed to protect the occupants in the event of a collision.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was assembled in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, offering insights into the vehicle’s assembly location and potential market-specific features or standards.
- Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN specifies that the vehicle is equipped with a 4x2 drive type and a hydraulic brake system, which are critical for understanding its handling characteristics and maintenance needs.
- Additional Specifications: The VIN also indicates a gross vehicle weight rating within Class 1D, supporting 4 doors and features like manual seat belts and electronic fuel injection, providing a comprehensive overview of vehicle capabilities and design features.
Don’t have your 1996 Ford Windstar’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Windstar
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Minivan |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 2982.445648 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 140 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 150 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Windstar |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Oakville |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Canada |
| Plant State | Ontario |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | LX |
| Series2 | Wagon body style |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 2FMDA51U*TB |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 2FMDA51U8TBA21156 |
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