How to decode a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences assigned to every vehicle manufacturer for identification purposes. The WMI for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, “4A3,” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors North America, based in Cypress, California, United States. These codes are the first three characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and they provide essential information regarding the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the region where the vehicle was produced. Specifically, for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the WMI indicates that it is a passenger car crafted in the United States. WMIs play a crucial role in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse

WMI: 4A3

Model Years Covered: 1991-1992, 1994-2012
Example VIN: 4A3AK34Y0XE025040
Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors North America
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Cypress
State or Province: California
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse:

Known VDS for a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse
AK34Y	AK54F	AK44Y

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 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
E	Bloomington-Normal	Illinois	United States		4A3AK34Y0XE025040

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse; the VIN should be visible through the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side door of your Mitsubishi Eclipse; there is usually a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when closed.
Open the hood of your Mitsubishi Eclipse and check the front of the engine block; the VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; in some vehicles like the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the VIN might be found above the tire.
Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk of your Eclipse; sometimes, the VIN is located in this area stamped on the body of the car.
Examine your vehicle’s paperwork: the VIN will be on the title document, registration, and insurance documents related to your Mitsubishi Eclipse.

What info can a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, such as the year 1999.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN may reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city (Bloomington-Normal), state (Illinois), and country (United States), which helps trace the vehicle’s production origin.
Body Class and Doors: It can detail the body class, such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, and the number of doors (3), providing insight into the vehicle’s size and design.
Engine Specifications: Engine details like displacement in liters (2.0 L), CC (2000.0), and additional features like a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train and specific fuel injection type (Multipoint Fuel Injection - MPFI) could be decoded, offering clues to the vehicle’s performance and efficiency.
Drive Type: The drivetrain configuration, such as 4x2, highlights the vehicle’s traction and may suggest its intended use or capability.
Safety Features: Insights into safety equipment, including the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, can be uncovered, pointing to the level of occupant protection offered.
Fuel Delivery System: The type of fuel delivery or fuel injection system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), might be specified, indicating how the fuel is introduced into the engine for combustion, which can affect performance and emissions.

Don’t have your 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	3
Drive Type	4x2
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Model	Eclipse
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	MPI DOHC
Plant City	Bloomington-Normal
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Illinois
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	MEDIUM
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	4A3AK34Y*XE
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	4A3AK34Y0XE025040