How to decode a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or three-digit codes that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. They are the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle’s origins and characteristics. For the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder, the WMI “JN8” specifically indicates that it’s produced by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., a vehicle categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) and originating from Japan. The manufacturing plant is located in Chuo-Ku, Tokyo. This code helps in understanding crucial details about the vehicle’s manufacturing without needing to look up additional records.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder

WMI: JN8

Model Years Covered: 1987-2004, 2024
Example VIN: JN8DR09Y03W800772
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 2003 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 2003 Nissan Pathfinder:

Known VDS for a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
DR09Y	DR09X

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 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 2003 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

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

Known 2003 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	JN8DR09Y03W800772

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder

The final 6 characters in a 2003 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 2003 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 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, typically at the corner where it meets the windshield.
Check the driver’s side door jamb on your 2003 Nissan Pathfinder, as the VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Examine the front of the engine block for your Pathfinder, as the VIN is sometimes stamped directly onto the engine itself.
Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side of your Nissan vehicle; sometimes the VIN can be viewed just above the tire.
Peek under the spare tire in the trunk area or cargo bay of your Nissan Pathfinder, as the VIN may be located there.

What info can a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: It may indicate the body class and size, showing this model as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and accommodation capacity.
Drive Type and Engine Details: Specifics such as drive type and engine details are encoded, identifying this example as having 4WD and a V-Shaped, 3.5L engine from Nissan with a dual overhead cam (DOHC) valve train design, providing details on the vehicle’s handling capabilities and powertrain technology.
Fuel Type: The VIN can specify the primary fuel type a vehicle uses, with this model being possibly powered by gasoline, indicating its fuel requirements.
Manufacturing Information: Insights into where the vehicle was manufactured are detailed, including the plant city of Miyawaka, state of Fukuoka, and country Japan, illustrating the global nature of vehicle production, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN may contain information on the gross vehicle weight rating, placing this vehicle in Class 1D, which ranges from 5,001 to 6,000 lb, offering insights into its load-carrying capabilities.
Safety Features: While not explicitly listed in the dataset, a VIN can often imply standard safety features based on the vehicle’s model and specifications, possibly providing an indication of safety equipment.

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	VQ35DE
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	2003
Plant City	Miyawaka
Plant Company Name	Kyushu plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Fukuoka
Series2	Wagon body style
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JN8DR09Y*3W
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JN8DR09Y03W800772