How to decode a Jeep Wrangler JK VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Jeep Wrangler JK VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of three letters or numbers found at the beginning of a vehicle’s unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This identifier reveals key details about the vehicle, such as the manufacturer, brand, and country of production. For the Jeep Wrangler JK, the WMI is 1C4, which identifies the vehicle as being produced by FCA US LLC, formerly known as Chrysler Group LLC. The 1 indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in the United States, and the C4 specifically denotes the Jeep brand, setting the stage for the rest of the VIN to provide more specific information about the vehicle’s specifications and features.

List of WMI Codes for a Jeep Wrangler JK

WMI: 1C4

Model Years Covered: 2018
Example VIN: 1C4GJWBG0JL800631
Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Auburn Hills
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Jeep Wrangler JK 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 Jeep Wrangler JK:

Known VDS for a Jeep Wrangler JK
GJWBG	BJWFG	HJWEG	HJWCG	HJWFG	BJWCG	BJWDG	HJWDG	GJWAG	AJWAG
AJWBG	BJWKG	BJWEG

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 Jeep Wrangler JK 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 Jeep Wrangler JK VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018 Jeep Wrangler JK

11th Character in the Jeep Wrangler JK VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Jeep Wrangler JK Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Detroit	Michigan	United States	Jefferson North Assembly	1C4BJWFG9JC859570
L	Toledo	Ohio	United States	Toledo Supplier Park	1C4GJWBG0JL800631

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Jeep Wrangler JK

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

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How to find a Jeep Wrangler JK’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Jeep Wrangler JK is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield to find the Jeep Wrangler JK’s VIN, which is often visible from outside the vehicle.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Jeep Wrangler JK, where the VIN can commonly be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check the engine bay, as the Jeep Wrangler JK’s VIN might be stamped onto the firewall or on a metal plate affixed to the engine area.
Inspect the vehicle’s frame near the rear wheel for a stamped VIN, which can sometimes be found on the Jeep Wrangler JK’s chassis.
Go through your Jeep Wrangler JK’s documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, where the VIN should be recorded.
Look under the windshield washer mount for the Jeep Wrangler JK—sometimes the VIN is located in this less common place.
If available, consult the spare tire well; your Jeep Wrangler JK’s VIN might be stamped near the area where the spare tire is housed.

What info can a Jeep Wrangler JK VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2018, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Manufacturer Name: The VIN identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle as FCA US LLC, offering details about the vehicle’s producer.
Vehicle Type: The VIN provides information about the vehicle type, indicating it as a multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV), offering insights into its design and functionality.
Plant City and State: The VIN reveals the city and state where the vehicle was manufactured, which is Toledo, Ohio, providing insights into the vehicle’s production location.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Jeep Wrangler JK

Vehicle Spec	Value
Active Safety System Note	Electronic Roll Mitigation: Standard; Front Passenger Seat Belt Alert: Standard; Hydraulic Assist Brake Booster: Standard; Hill Start Assist; Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Axles	2
Base Price ($)	23995
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Curb Weight (pounds)	4100
Displacement (CC)	3600.0
Displacement (CI)	219.68547874103
Displacement (L)	3.6
Doors	2
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	285
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	FCA
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Wrangler JK
Model Year	2018
Number of Seats	4
Number of Wheels	4
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Toledo
Plant Company Name	Toledo Supplier Park
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Sport
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	6
Transmission Style	Manual/Standard
Trim	JK (Open Body)
Turbo	No
Vehicle Descriptor	1C4GJWAG*JL
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From	116
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	1C4GJWAG0JL804907