How to decode a 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to vehicle manufacturers to signify details such as the country of manufacture, manufacturer identity, and vehicle type. The WMI for the 2005 Mazda Tribute is “4F2,” indicating it was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This particular WMI highlights that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), pointing towards its design for various passenger and light cargo transportation needs. The specific sequence is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing a globally recognized identifier for each individual vehicle. This aspect of the VIN is critical for recognizing the manufacturing origin and essential vehicle attributes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2005 Mazda Tribute

WMI: 4F2

Model Years Covered: 2001-2006, 2008-2011
Example VIN: 4F2YZ96105KM07003
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Dearborn
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2005 Mazda Tribute 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 2005 Mazda Tribute:

Known VDS for a 2005 Mazda Tribute
YZ961	CZ961	CZ041	YZ061	YZ941	YZ02Z	CZ941	YZ92Z	YZ041	CZ061

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 2005 Mazda Tribute 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 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
5	2005

11th Character in the 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2005 Mazda Tribute Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
K	Kansas City	Missouri	United States		4F2YZ96105KM07003

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2005 Mazda Tribute

The final 6 characters in a 2005 Mazda Tribute’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mazda Tribute’s VIN below:

How to find a 2005 Mazda Tribute’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2005 Mazda Tribute is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda Tribute, near the corner where it meets the windshield. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle through the windshield.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2005 Mazda Tribute. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood of your Mazda Tribute; the VIN might be stamped onto a plate attached to the engine block or the firewall.
Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance card, or title, which should all list the VIN for your Mazda Tribute.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes there is a sticker or plate with the VIN on it for Mazda Tribute models.
Glance at the frame of your 2005 Mazda Tribute beneath the vehicle, particularly around the driver’s side front door area, for a stamped VIN on the chassis.

What info can a 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as a 2005 Ford Tribute, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Vehicle Type: A VIN decodes the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and designates the vehicle type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, which helps in categorizing the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Details: The VIN can provide details about the engine, such as a 3.0L V-Shaped, 6-cylinder engine manufactured by Ford, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Safety Features: Certain safety features like curtain airbags, front airbags, second-generation airbags, side airbags, and manual seat belts are indicated, highlighting the vehicle’s safety equipment.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: Information on the primary fuel type being gasoline can give clues to the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental footprint.
Brake System and Drive Type: The VIN offers details on the vehicle’s hydraulic brake system and 4x2 drive type configuration, providing insights into its handling characteristics and drivetrain.
Production Information: The VIN provides specifics on where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city of Kansas City, plant country United States, and plant state Missouri, adding to its history and possibly affecting its valuation.

Don’t have your 2005 Mazda Tribute’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2005 Mazda Tribute

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	3000.0
Displacement (CI)	183.07123228419
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Brake (hp) From	200
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 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Tribute
Model Year	2005
Other Restraint System Info	Sec. Gen. Air Bags & Side Air Bags, Curtain, or Canopy
Plant City	Kansas City
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Missouri
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	ES
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	4F2CZ961*5K
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	4F2CZ96105KM12440