How to decode a 2011 Nissan Maxima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2011 Nissan Maxima VIN

WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, comprises the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), denoting the vehicle manufacturer’s identity and the country of assembly. In the case of the 2011 Nissan Maxima, the WMI “1N4” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc., specifically in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. This identifier is crucial for recognizing the manufacturing entity and its location, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s origin. The WMI is part of a globally recognized system used to standardize vehicle identification, offering a straightforward method to acquire manufacturer details. For the 2011 Nissan Maxima, it assures the vehicle falls under Nissan’s manufacturing standards in the U.S., reflecting on the quality and specifications determined by its American production site.

List of WMI Codes for a 2011 Nissan Maxima

WMI: 1N4

Model Years Covered: 2004-2014, 2016-2023
Example VIN: 1N4AA5AP0BC800461
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 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 2011 Nissan Maxima:

Known VDS for a 2011 Nissan Maxima
AA5AP

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 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 2011 Nissan Maxima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
B	2011

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

Known 2011 Nissan Maxima 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	1N4AA5AP0BC800461

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2011 Nissan Maxima

The final 6 characters in a 2011 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 2011 Nissan Maxima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2011 Nissan Maxima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Maxima, typically at the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield. You can easily view the VIN from outside the vehicle.
Inspect the driver-side door jamb on your 2011 Nissan Maxima. When you open the door, look for a sticker or label at the area where the door latches, not far from the seatbelt return.
Look at the vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title for your Nissan Maxima; the VIN should be printed on these documents.
Check the front of the engine block of your Nissan Maxima; this area often has the VIN engraved on a metal plate, which can be seen when you lift the hood.
For another hidden spot, look at the rear wheel well on the driver’s side of the 2011 Nissan Maxima. The VIN might be stamped above the tire.
Examine the trunk of your Nissan Maxima; the VIN might sometimes be found underneath the spare tire or on the trunk’s body where the hinges meet.

What info can a 2011 Nissan Maxima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2011, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN can provide information on the vehicle’s body class, such as Sedan/Saloon, which helps in understanding the style and functionality of the car.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, including a 3.5L displacement and a 6 cylinder configuration, can be decoded from the VIN, providing insight into the vehicle’s power and possibly its efficiency.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, like Gasoline, can be identified, which is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and potential fuel consumption.
Safety Features: The VIN can indicate safety equipment, including locations of curtain airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows and front airbags for the driver and passenger, demonstrating the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
Drive Type: Information on the drive type, such as 4x2, can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and its suitability for different driving conditions.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides manufacturing details including the plant country, city, and the specific plant name, like Smyrna Plant in Tennessee, United States, indicating the vehicle’s origin and potentially affecting its resale value.

Don’t have your 2011 Nissan Maxima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2011 Nissan Maxima

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 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	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	1N4AA5AP*BC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1N4AA5AP0BC800461