How to decode a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. Comprising the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the WMI details the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, Nissan North America, Inc., based in Franklin, Tennessee, uses the WMI “5N1” for models like the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. This multipurpose passenger vehicle, reflecting its designation through the WMI, signifies its production by Nissan in the United States specifically. Understanding the WMI is crucial for accurately identifying the origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type, providing valuable information for both regulatory compliance and consumer knowledge.

List of WMI Codes for a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

WMI: 5N1

Model Years Covered: 2005-2020, 2022-2024
Example VIN: 5N1AR18U05C700593
Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Franklin
State or Province: Tennessee
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2005 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 2005 Nissan Pathfinder:

Known VDS for a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
AR18U	AR18W

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 2005 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 2005 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
5	2005

11th Character in the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 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	5N1AR18U05C700593

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

The final 6 characters in a 2005 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 2005 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The VIN is commonly visible through the windshield on the lower corner of the dashboard.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb. There is usually a sticker or plate on the door pillar of your Nissan Pathfinder that displays the VIN.
Examine the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay. The VIN may be stamped on the metal surface of the firewall inside the engine compartment of your 2005 Pathfinder.
Inspect the front frame. Some vehicles, including the Nissan Pathfinder, have the VIN stamped on the chassis just inside the front hood, on the frame rails near the windshield washer container or close to where the fender bolts to the chassis.
Look at your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title (also known as the pink slip). The VIN for your Nissan Pathfinder will be clearly printed on these documents.
Check for a label with the VIN in the rear wheel well. It may be harder to locate, but some vehicles have the VIN in this hidden spot.

What info can a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2005, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: It can specify the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle further detailed as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a Wagon body style, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Fuel Type: The VIN can highlight the primary fuel type the vehicle utilizes, in this case, it is likely to be Gasoline, offering insights into its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Engine Details: Engine displacement is displayed in various units such as CC (4000), CI (244.0949763789), and liters (4), which illustrates the engine’s size and power, possibly influencing the vehicle’s performance.
Safety Features: Essential safety systems like the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) type can be deduced, potentially impacting the vehicle’s safety standards and performance.
Drive Type and Brake System: It might reveal the drive type as 4x2 and the brake system used, which for this vehicle is Hydraulic, providing insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN can uncover manufacturing specifics such as the Plant City (Smyrna), Plant Country (United States), and even the Plant Company Name (Smyrna Plant), offering insights into the vehicle’s production origin and potentially its quality.

Don’t have your 2005 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

Vehicle Spec	Value
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	4000
Displacement (CI)	244.0949763789
Displacement (L)	4
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
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	2005
Other Engine Info	4-wheel ABS
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name	Smyrna plant
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Series2	Wagon body style
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	5N1AR18U*5C
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5N1AR18U05C700593