Free 1997 Nissan Altima VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Nissan Altima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Nissan Altima VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, its country of origin, and the type of vehicle it is. For instance, the 1997 Nissan Altima has a WMI of “1N4,” indicating it was manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in the United States, specifically in Franklin, Tennessee, marking it as a passenger car. This code provides definitive information about a vehicle’s origins, assisting in vehicle registration, identification, and recall processes. The WMI is an essential component of automotive identification globally, ensuring each vehicle can be uniquely traced back to its manufacturer and specific characteristics.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Nissan Altima

WMI: 1N4

• Model Years Covered: 1993-2024
• Example VIN: 1N4BU31D0VC148824
• Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Franklin
• State or Province: Tennessee
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Nissan Altima 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 1997 Nissan Altima:

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 1997 Nissan Altima 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 1997 Nissan Altima VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Nissan Altima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Nissan Altima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Nissan Altima

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Nissan Altima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Nissan Altima VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the car’s model year, such as 1997 for a Nissan Altima, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can identify the vehicle type as a Passenger Car and the body class as Sedan/Saloon, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine and Displacement: Specific details like the engine displacement being 2.4 liters (2400.0 CC or 146.45698582735 CI) can be deduced, indicating the size and capacity of the engine.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, for instance, Gasoline for the Nissan Altima, can be determined from the VIN, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s fueling needs.
• Safety Features: Information such as the presence of 1st-row front airbags (driver and passenger) and the type of seat belts (Manual) may signify the vehicle’s equipped safety measures.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal manufacturing details like the plant’s location (Smyrna, Tennessee, United States) and the company name (Smyrna Plant), offering insights into where the vehicle was produced.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): It is possible to find out the GVWR range, which in this example falls under Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), indicating the vehicle’s maximum safe weight.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Nissan Altima