How to decode a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into its origin and specific characteristics. For the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, the WMI “5N1” signifies that it was manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. This code reveals that the vehicle type is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), manufactured in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. Utilizing the WMI, one can determine essential details about a vehicle, including its model years, which for this specific WMI ranges from 2005 to 2020, and includes the years 2022 to 2024. This identification system is crucial for various stakeholders in the automotive industry, from manufacturers to regulators and consumers, providing a standardized method to track and identify vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder

WMI: 5N1

Model Years Covered: 2005-2020, 2022-2024
Example VIN: 5N1BR18A08C600329
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 2008 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 2008 Nissan Pathfinder:

Known VDS for a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
BR18A	AR18B	AR18U	BR18B

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 2008 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 2008 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 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	5N1BR18A08C600329
T	Yokosuka	Kanagawa	Japan	Oppama Plant	5N1AR18U68T627704

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder

The final 6 characters in a 2008 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 2008 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Nissan Pathfinder is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. Look through the windshield to find the VIN on a dedicated plate.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Nissan Pathfinder. The VIN is usually on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Inspect the engine block of your Nissan Pathfinder, as the VIN can often be found stamped directly on the engine.
Review your Nissan Pathfinder’s vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title, where the VIN will be clearly listed.
If you still have the maintenance book or owner’s manual of the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, the VIN might be recorded inside.

What info can a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: A VIN can indicate the type and size of the vehicle, such as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, demonstrating its capacity for passengers and cargo.
Engine Capacity and Type: Engine configurations, including displacement in liters (5.6L), cubic inches (341.73 CI), or cubic centimeters (5600.0 CC), can be extracted, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and efficiency.
Drive Type: The information might include the drive type, revealing if the vehicle is equipped with 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, which influences its off-road capability and traction.
Fuel Type: A VIN can specify the primary fuel type the vehicle utilizes, such as gasoline, highlighting fuel preferences and potential efficiency.
Safety Features: It can shed light on standard safety features, for instance, the inclusion of an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), identifying key safety technologies implemented.
Manufacturing Details: Details such as the manufacturing plant’s location (Smyrna, Tennessee, United States) and the company name (Smyrna Plant) can be derived, offering insight into the production origin of the vehicle.

Don’t have your 2008 Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder

Vehicle Spec	Value
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	5600.0
Displacement (CI)	341.73296693050
Displacement (L)	5.6
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Pathfinder
Model Year	2008
Number of Wheels	4
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name	Smyrna plant
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Series2	Wagon body
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	5N1BR18B*8C
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5N1BR18B08C603725