How to decode a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) forms the initial three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer, the WMI is “JA3,” signifying that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan is the manufacturer. This particular coding indicates the vehicle is a passenger car produced by Mitsubishi, with origins traced back to Tokyo, Japan. Through the WMI, each vehicle can be traced to its manufacturer, providing essential information about the car’s origins and specifications. This system allows for the consistent and reliable identification of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer

WMI: JA3

Model Years Covered: 2002-2017
Example VIN: JA32U2FU0HU000344
Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Minato-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer:

Known VDS for a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer
2U2FU	2V2FW

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 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
H	2017

11th Character in the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Mizushima	Okayama	Japan		JA32U2FU0HU000344

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer

The final 6 characters in a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Lancer, near where the windshield meets the dash. Usually, the VIN can be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). On a Mitsubishi Lancer, there should be a label or sticker that includes the VIN.
Examine the engine block of your Mitsubishi Lancer. The VIN can sometimes be stamped directly onto the engine.
Check the vehicle’s official documents such as the title, registration, or insurance policy for the VIN of your Mitsubishi Lancer.
Some Mitsubishi Lancers have the VIN located in the trunk under the carpet, either on the floor or on the side, typically where the spare tire is housed.
Review the front of the vehicle frame near the windshield washer fluid tank, as some vehicles have the VIN there and it may be applicable to the Mitsubishi Lancer as well.

What info can a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2017, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Location: It can provide specific manufacturing information, including that the vehicle was produced in Mizushima, Okayama, Japan, providing insights into its production origin.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes essential details about a vehicle, including its model as a Mitsubishi Lancer, equipped with a 2.0 DOHC MIVEC engine and a 4x2 drive type, offering insights into its specific features and capabilities.
Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, one can learn that the vehicle is classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, indicating its body type and size, giving an understanding of its design and interior space.
Safety Features: The VIN can inform about the vehicle’s safety features, highlighting that it is equipped with curtain airbags located in the 1st and 2nd rows, as well as front airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), providing insights into its safety capabilities.
Engine Specifications: It details engine characteristics, such as a displacement of 2000 CC (2 liters) and a Valve Train Design of Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
Additional Features: The VIN may also detail other features such as the type of seat belt (Manual) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that is of the Direct type, illustrating the vehicle’s equipped technologies for increased safety and performance.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2000
Displacement (CI)	122.0474881894
Displacement (L)	2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Model	2.0 DOHC MIVEC
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Lancer
Model Year	2017
Plant City	Mizushima
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Okayama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Seat Cushion Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Series	Low
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JA32U2FU*HU
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JA32U2FU0HU000344