How to decode a 2011 Nissan Altima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2011 Nissan Altima VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-digit code assigned to automakers to identify the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For the 2011 Nissan Altima, the WMI “1N4” signifies a passenger car manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in the United States, specifically in Franklin, Tennessee. This code forms the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its model year. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, tracking recalls, and verifying the vehicle’s authenticity.

List of WMI Codes for a 2011 Nissan Altima

WMI: 1N4

Model Years Covered: 1993-2024
Example VIN: 1N4CL2AP0BC106998
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 2011 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 2011 Nissan Altima:

Known VDS for a 2011 Nissan Altima
CL2AP	BL2AP	AL2AP	BL2EP	AL2EP

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 2011 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 2011 Nissan Altima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
B	2011

11th Character in the 2011 Nissan Altima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2011 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	Smyrna Plant	1N4CL2AP0BC106998
L	Aguascalientes City	Aguascalientes	Mexico	Aguascalientes Plant	1N4AL2AP8BL178748
N	Canton	Mississippi	United States	Canton Plant	1N4BL2AP0BN409781

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2011 Nissan Altima

The final 6 characters in a 2011 Nissan Altima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2011 Nissan Altima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2011 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 2011. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb. The VIN should be on a label or plaque where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Nissan Altima; the VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or on a metal plate affixed to the engine bay.
Inspect the trunk area, where the VIN could be printed on the area where the spare tire is stored or on the trunk’s lid hinge.
Review your Nissan Altima’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or title, which will all list the VIN.
Consult the owner’s manual as it may indicate additional locations where the VIN can be found on the 2011 Nissan Altima.

What info can a 2011 Nissan Altima VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can suggest that the vehicle may be a 2011 model of the Altima, possibly offering insights into its production year and the make of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The VIN might reveal an engine with a displacement of around 3.5 liters or 213.58 cubic inches, capable of producing approximately 255 to 270 horsepower, possibly powered by gasoline.
Safety Features: The presence of curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, along with front airbags for the driver and passenger, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), may indicate comprehensive safety features.
Body Class and Size: The VIN might point towards the vehicle being a Coupe with two doors, offering insight into the body style and size of the vehicle.
Drive Type and Weight: If the VIN indicates a 4x2 drive type and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating suggesting it falls within Class 1 (6,000 lb or less), the vehicle’s drivetrain and weight class are potentially specified.
Manufacturing Details: Information such as the vehicle being possibly manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States, by the Smyrna Plant, could provide insights into its potential production location.
Additional Safety and Restraint Systems: The vehicle may be equipped with manual seat belts and side airbags for the first row, possibly featuring detailed restraint system information for enhanced passenger safety.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2011 Nissan Altima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	255
Engine Brake (hp) To	270
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	2011
Other Restraint System Info	2nd row outboard and 3-pt manual belts, 2nd row center 3-point manual belts
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name	Smyrna plant
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	1N4BL2AP*BC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1N4BL2AP0BC172592