Free 1996 Nissan Maxima VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Nissan Maxima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Nissan Maxima VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing details about where and by whom a vehicle was manufactured. In the case of the 1996 Nissan Maxima, the WMI is “JN1,” which denotes a vehicle manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Based in the city of Chuo-Ku in Tokyo, Japan, Nissan produces a wide range of vehicles, including the passenger car type represented by the 1996 Maxima. This specific WMI, “JN1,” serves as a vital identifier, tracing the vehicle back to its production by Nissan in Japan, ensuring the vehicle’s origins and specifications are easily identifiable and verifiable.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Nissan Maxima

WMI: JN1

• Model Years Covered: 1981, 1985-2003
• Example VIN: JN1CA21D2TM421144
• Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Chuo-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Nissan Maxima 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 1996 Nissan Maxima:

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 1996 Nissan Maxima 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 1996 Nissan Maxima VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Nissan Maxima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Nissan Maxima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Nissan Maxima

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Nissan Maxima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 Nissan Maxima VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Make and Model: The specific make and model of the vehicle can be identified from the VIN, painting a historical context of the vehicle’s origin.
• Engine Details: The specifics about the engine, including its model, configuration, displacement metrics, and the number of cylinders, are typically encoded within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The type of fuel the vehicle primarily uses is often revealed, which can be crucial for understanding both the vehicle’s environmental impact and operational costs.
• Safety Features: Key safety features, for example, the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, can be determined, hinting at the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, providing details about the vehicle’s design and structure, including the number of doors.
• Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Plant and Production Details: The geographical specifics of where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city, country, and even the plant company name, can be typically extracted, offering clues to its production quality and heritage.
• Vehicle Type and Weight Class: The report could delineate the vehicle’s type and its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, pinpointing its usage and weight capacity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Nissan Maxima

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