How to decode a 2002 Nissan Altima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Nissan Altima VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique three-character codes designated to every vehicle manufacturer for identification purposes. Specifically, the WMI for a 2002 Nissan Altima, “1N4”, signifies that it is manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc., designated for passenger cars. This code is essential for recognizing the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For this model, the code indicates it was produced in the United States, particularly in Franklin, Tennessee. WMIs form an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), helping in the quick identification of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Nissan Altima

WMI: 1N4

Model Years Covered: 1993-2024
Example VIN: 1N4BL11E02C124423
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 2002 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 2002 Nissan Altima:

Known VDS for a 2002 Nissan Altima
BL11E	BL11D	AL11E	AL11D

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 2002 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 2002 Nissan Altima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Nissan Altima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Nissan Altima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Smyrna	Tennessee	United States		1N4BL11E02C124423

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Nissan Altima

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Nissan Altima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Nissan Altima’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Nissan Altima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Nissan Altima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Altima, near where it meets the windshield, this is a common place where the VIN is displayed and can be viewed from outside the vehicle.
Examine the driver’s side door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on your 2002 Nissan Altima. It is typical to find a VIN plate or sticker in this area.
Check the engine block of your Nissan Altima, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Inspect the trunk area of your 2002 Nissan Altima under the spare tire. Sometimes the VIN is located in this area on a sticker or plate.
Go through your vehicle’s paperwork such as the title, registration, or insurance documents, where the VIN of your Nissan Altima should be listed.

What info can a 2002 Nissan Altima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2002, providing insights into the age and potential technology or safety features available at that time.
Make and Model: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Nissan Altima, providing essential information about the manufacturer and specific model for parts and service needs.
Engine Specifications: The Nissan Altima is powered by a 2.5 L (2500 cc) In-Line 4-cylinder engine, known as the QR25DE, emphasizing its powertrain configuration and capacity.
Safety Features: It includes comprehensive airbag coverage with curtain airbags located in all rows and front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), indicating a focus on occupant safety.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, determining fuel compatibility and potentially impacting fuel efficiency and environmental considerations.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: Classified as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body, this information aids in understanding the vehicle’s general size, style, and intended use or market segment.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN specifies that the Nissan Altima was assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States, offering insight into its production origin which can be relevant for history and quality assurance checks.

Don’t have your 2002 Nissan Altima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Nissan Altima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	QR25DE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Altima
Model Year	2002
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1N4AL11E*2C
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1N4AL11E02C127138