How to decode a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes serve as a unique identifier for every vehicle manufacturer. The WMI is the first three characters of a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), specifying the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of production. For instance, a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder has a WMI of “JN8,” indicating it was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan. The “J” signifies the country of manufacture (Japan), “N” refers to Nissan as the manufacturer, and “8” identifies the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This critical piece of information provides a globally recognized standard for identifying vehicle manufacturers.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

WMI: JN8

Model Years Covered: 1987-2004, 2024
Example VIN: JN8AR05S0WW211553
Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Chuo-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder 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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder:

Known VDS for a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
AR05S	AR05Y

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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder 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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Nissan Pathfinder Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
W	Miyawaka	Fukuoka	Japan	Kyushu Plant	JN8AR05S0WW211553

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Nissan Pathfinder is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Pathfinder, usually near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. Your 1998 Nissan Pathfinder should have a VIN plate or sticker where the door latches.
Check under the hood; the VIN might also be located on the front of the engine block, visible when you open the hood of your Nissan Pathfinder.
Inspect the rear wheel well. For some vehicles, including older models like your 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, the VIN can sometimes be found above the tire.
Look at the vehicle’s frame near the windshield washer fluid container. On some vehicles, the VIN is placed in this less common location.
If none of these options work, your vehicle’s VIN can also be found on the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance papers which should match the VIN on the Nissan Pathfinder itself.

What info can a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it might be from 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was possibly assembled in Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan, at the Kyushu Plant, highlighting how the VIN may provide insight into the geographical origin of a vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: This particular VIN possibly belongs to a Nissan Pathfinder, possibly equipped with a 3.3L engine capacity, suggesting how a VIN might decode to specific make, model, and engine details.
Body Class and Size: The VIN possibly reveals the vehicle as classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a 4-door configuration, offering possible insights into the vehicle’s size and functionality.
Drive Type: Listed as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, possibly showing the vehicle’s capability for off-road or challenging terrain driving conditions, which could be an important characteristic for potential buyers.
Fuel Type - Primary: Possibly denoted as gasoline, providing possible vital information for assessing fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Possibly falls within Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), possibly providing an estimate of the vehicle’s total weight capacity, which could be useful for payload and towing considerations.

Don’t have your 1998 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3300.0
Displacement (CI)	201.37835551261
Displacement (L)	3.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Pathfinder
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Miyawaka
Plant Company Name	Kyushu plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Fukuoka
Trim2	Wagon Body Type
Vehicle Descriptor	JN8AR05Y*WW
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JN8AR05Y0WW227708