How to decode a 2018 Nissan Altima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Nissan Altima VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the initial characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which succinctly identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. WMIs are globally standardized and regulated, offering a readily identifiable way to determine important manufacturer details. For the 2018 Nissan Altima, the WMI ‘1N4’ not only reveals that the vehicle is manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc., but also specifies that it’s a passenger car produced in Tennessee, United States. This specific identification aids in recognizing the vehicle’s origin, enhancing processes like registration, insurance, and recall management. Ultimately, WMIs serve as a concise language for categorizing and tracing the automotive lineage.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Nissan Altima

WMI: 1N4

Model Years Covered: 1993-2024
Example VIN: 1N4AL3AP5JT137417
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 2018 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 2018 Nissan Altima:

Known VDS for a 2018 Nissan Altima
AL3AP	BL3AP

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 2018 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 2018 Nissan Altima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018

11th Character in the 2018 Nissan Altima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 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	Nissan North America Inc.	1N4AL3AP0JC100632
L	Aguascalientes	Aguascalientes	Mexico	Nissan Mexicana, S.A. De C.V.	1N4AL3AP1JL252547
T	Oppama Plant, Yokosuka-Shi	Kanagawa	Japan	Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.	1N4AL3AP5JT137417

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Nissan Altima

The final 6 characters in a 2018 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 2018 Nissan Altima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2018 Nissan Altima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Altima. The VIN is often visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Examine the driver-side door jamb of your 2018 Nissan Altima. The VIN may be found on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Look at the vehicle registration documents for your Nissan Altima, where the VIN is always listed.
Check your Nissan Altima’s insurance card/insurance policy. The VIN is printed on these documents for reference.
Inspect the engine block of your Nissan Altima, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Review the car’s service records as the VIN is typically recorded in the vehicle’s maintenance book.

What info can a 2018 Nissan Altima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 2018 Nissan Altima, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Safety Features: The Nissan Altima is equipped with a wide range of safety features including Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Anti-lock Braking System, and Curtain Airbags for both the 1st and 2nd rows, indicating a strong emphasis on occupant safety.
Engine and Fuel Specifications: It is powered by a 3.5-liter engine with a displacement of 3500 CC or 213.58 CI, running on gasoline, demonstrating the vehicle’s powertrain specifications and fuel type preference.
Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a sedan/saloon with a 4x2 drive type, describing its body style and driving mechanics.
Plant Information: Manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee by Nissan North America Inc., pointing to the vehicle’s production location and associated manufacturing quality.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Equipped with advanced features like Blind Spot Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Dynamic Brake Support, signifying advanced technological integration for enhanced driving safety and convenience.
Performance Attributes: The vehicle has a top speed of 140 MPH and is equipped with a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System, underlining its performance capabilities and essential safety monitoring features.

Don’t have your 2018 Nissan Altima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Nissan Altima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Active Safety System Note	Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Standard for 3.5 SL trim
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	33630
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
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)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Model	Altima
Model Year	2018
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Restraint System Info	2nd row outboard and center 3-point manual belts
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name	Nissan North America Inc.
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Top Speed (MPH)	140
Traction Control	Standard
Vehicle Descriptor	1N4BL3AP*JC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	109.3
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	1N4BL3AP0JC133067