How to decode a 2012 Lexus ES VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Lexus ES VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) serve as a unique code that denotes essential details about a vehicle, including the manufacturer, vehicle type, and production location. The WMI for a 2012 Lexus ES, for instance, begins with “JTH”, which indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, specifically in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. This code is part of a larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its model year, production sequence, and specific features. The VIN serves as a vehicle’s fingerprint, offering a unique identifier for tracking, registration, and warranty purposes. The inclusion of the WMI in a VIN allows for global recognition of the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and brand.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Lexus ES
WMI: JTH
- Model Years Covered: 2002-2021
- Example VIN: JTHBK1EG0C2472916
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Toyota City
- State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Lexus ES 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 2012 Lexus ES:
| Known VDS for a 2012 Lexus ES |
|---|
| BK1EG |
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 2012 Lexus ES 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 2012 Lexus ES VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 Lexus ES VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 Lexus ES Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Miyawaka | Fukuoka | Japan | Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. | JTHBK1EG0C2472916 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Lexus ES
The final 6 characters in a 2012 Lexus ES’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Lexus ES’s VIN below:
How to find a 2012 Lexus ES’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Lexus ES is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lexus ES 2012. It’s typically visible through the windshield on a small plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb for a sticker or label that may have the VIN on your Lexus ES.
- Examine the front of the engine block. You’ll often find the VIN engraved on a metal part of the engine in your Lexus ES 2012.
- Look for the VIN on the frame near the windshield washer container under the hood of your Lexus.
- Check the vehicle’s insurance card/insurance policy or title/registration documents, which should list the VIN of your Lexus ES 2012.
What info can a 2012 Lexus ES VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it could be a 2012 model, providing insights into the vehicle’s age and generation.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was manufactured by Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. in Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan, indicating the vehicle’s origin and potentially influencing its design and build quality.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Toyota ES with a V-Shaped, 3.5L engine (2GR-FE model) by Toyota, which may produce between 268 to 314 horsepower, illustrating engine capacity and potential performance characteristics.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN specifies that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing insight into the vehicle’s structure and intended use or capacity.
- Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with curtain airbags in all rows, front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), and knee airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), highlighting comprehensive safety measures.
- Fuel Type: The vehicle operates on gasoline, potentially influencing fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Drive Type and Tire Information: The VIN indicates a 4x2 drive type and a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), potentially offering an idea of the vehicle’s handling and maintenance requirements.
Don’t have your 2012 Lexus ES’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Lexus ES
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 3456 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 268 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 314 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Engine Model | 2GR-FE |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | ES |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Engine Info | Engine Type: PORT |
| Plant City | Miyawaka |
| Plant Company Name | Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Fukuoka |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | GSV40L |
| Series2 | 350 |
| Side Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JTHBK1EG*C2 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | JTHBK1EG0C2472916 |
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