How to decode a 2018 Lexus LS VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Lexus LS VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique three-letter or digit sequence that forms the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the manufacturer of the vehicle. For example, Lexus LS models manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from 2001 to 2024, carry the WMI “JTH”. This specific sequence indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in Japan by Toyota. These codes are invaluable in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, providing a standardized method to classify vehicles globally. For the Lexus LS 2018, the WMI offers precise information about its production origin and type, establishing its identity in the automotive world.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Lexus LS

WMI: JTH

Model Years Covered: 2001-2024
Example VIN: JTHBYLFF0J5000338
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 2018 Lexus LS 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 2018 Lexus LS:

Known VDS for a 2018 Lexus LS
BYLFF	B5LFF	CY1FF	C51FF	BY1FF	B51FF	CYLFF	C5LFF

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 2018 Lexus LS 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 2018 Lexus LS VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018

11th Character in the 2018 Lexus LS VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Lexus LS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Tahara		Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation	JTHBYLFF0J5000338

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Lexus LS

The final 6 characters in a 2018 Lexus LS’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?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 2018 Lexus LS’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2018 Lexus LS is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2018 Lexus LS. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. The VIN for your Lexus LS should be on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Examine the engine bay. The VIN might also be stamped onto a plate or directly onto the chassis near the front of the engine compartment.
Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title (depending on the country), as the VIN for your Lexus LS will be clearly listed there.
Look in the rear wheel well directly above the tire. In some vehicles, the VIN can be found in this location and may be accessible in the 2018 Lexus LS.
Inspect the area underneath the spare tire, which can sometimes hold a sticker or plate with the VIN information for your vehicle.

What info can a 2018 Lexus LS VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, helping to indicate the vehicle’s design and structure. In the case of the 2018 Lexus LS, it is classified as a Sedan/Saloon, possibly with 4 doors.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2018 Lexus LS, it may have a 4-wheel drive system, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: This vehicle reportedly comes with a 3.5 L V-shaped engine and can run on both gasoline and electric power, suggesting a potential hybrid nature.
Safety Features: Standard safety features may include an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB), possibly indicating a high level of safety equipment.
Transmission and Performance: The 2018 Lexus LS reportedly utilizes a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and features an engine producing 295 horsepower, which may provide insights into its performance characteristics.
Advanced Technologies: Advanced technological equipment such as Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), and an Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound for hybrids and electric vehicles are standard, reflecting the vehicle’s potential advanced features.
Price and Luxury Features: With a base price of $79,510, and options like Intuitive Parking Assist and a Panoramic View Monitor, this suggests a premium, well-equipped model.

Don’t have your 2018 Lexus LS’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Lexus LS

Vehicle Spec	Value
Active Safety System Note	Intuitive Parking Assist (sonar sensors): Standard; Panoramic View Monitor: Optional
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
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	79510
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electrification Level	Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	295
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	8GR-FXS, 2NM
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary	Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Standard
Model	LS
Model Year	2018
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Engine Info	PORT+ DIRECT
Other Restraint System Info	Cushion Air Bag: 2nd row
Parking Assist	Standard
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant City	Tahara
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation
Plant Country	Japan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	GVF50L /GVF55L/ VXFA50L /VXFA55L
Side Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Top Speed (MPH)	137
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	4
Transmission Style	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Trim	500h
Vehicle Descriptor	JTHBYLFF*J5
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	123
Wheel Size Front (inches)	19
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	19
Sample_VIN	JTHBYLFF0J5000338