How to decode a 2003 Nissan Maxima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Nissan Maxima VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a critical component of a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. In the case of the 2003 Nissan Maxima, the WMI code is “JN1”, where “J” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured in Japan, “N” represents Nissan as the manufacturer, and “1” indicates that it is a passenger car. These codes are standardized across the global automotive industry, allowing for easy identification of a vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. Manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., located in Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, the 2003 Nissan Maxima carries this WMI to denote its production by one of Japan’s leading car manufacturers. This system enhances the tracking, registration, and recall processes for vehicles worldwide, ensuring consistent identification standards.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Nissan Maxima

WMI: JN1

Model Years Covered: 1981, 1985-2003
Example VIN: JN1DA31D03T502496
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 2003 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 2003 Nissan Maxima:

Known VDS for a 2003 Nissan Maxima
DA31D	DA31A

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 2003 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 2003 Nissan Maxima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Nissan Maxima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Nissan Maxima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
T	Yokosuka	Kanagawa	Japan	Oppama Plant	JN1DA31D03T502496

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Nissan Maxima

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Nissan Maxima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Nissan Maxima’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Nissan Maxima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Nissan Maxima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Maxima. The VIN can generally be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. The VIN might be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Nissan Maxima; the VIN may also be stamped on the front engine block.
Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes the VIN is visible just above the tire.
Look at your Nissan Maxima’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or title (not physically on the vehicle, but these documents will display the VIN).

What info can a 2003 Nissan Maxima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Type: Specifics such as a V-Shaped engine configuration, 3.5 liters (or 3500 CC/213.58310433156 CI) displacement, and the engine model VQ35DE manufactured by Nissan are encoded. The engine supports six cylinders and utilizes Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design.
Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: Information regarding the vehicle’s drive type as 4x2 and primary fuel type as Gasoline can be ascertained, offering insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and fuel usage.
Safety Features: The VIN decodes to reveal standard safety features including locations for front air bags in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) and side air bags also in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), providing insights into the vehicle’s safety attributes.
Plant Information: Manufacturing details such as the plant city Yokosuka, plant company name Oppama Plant, and the country Japan highlight the vehicle’s production location, offering insights into its origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Specifies the classification within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), indicating its size and potential load capacity, providing insights into the vehicle’s weight-bearing capabilities.

Don’t have your 2003 Nissan Maxima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Nissan Maxima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	VQ35DE
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	Maxima
Model Year	2003
Plant City	Yokosuka
Plant Company Name	Oppama plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Kanagawa
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JN1DA31A*3T
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JN1DA31A03T402727