How to decode a 2003 Nissan Sentra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Nissan Sentra VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For instance, Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico uses the WMI “3N1” for the passenger cars it manufactures, including models like the 2003 Nissan Sentra. This code plays a crucial role in identifying where a vehicle was produced and its manufacturer, enhancing vehicle tracking and registration processes. WMIs are standardized globally, ensuring a vehicle’s origins and manufacturer can be recognized anywhere in the world. The specific WMI for Nissan cars manufactured in Mexico reflects a part of the broader system used for vehicle identification and authentication.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Nissan Sentra

WMI: 3N1

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 3N1AB51D03L721667
Manufacturer Name: Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City:
State or Province: C.P.
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Nissan Sentra 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 Sentra:

Known VDS for a 2003 Nissan Sentra
AB51D	AB51A	CB51D	CB51A

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 Sentra 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 Sentra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

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

Known 2003 Nissan Sentra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
L	Aguascalientes City	Aguascalientes	Mexico	Aguascalientes Plant	3N1AB51D03L721667

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Nissan Sentra

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Nissan Sentra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 2003 Nissan Sentra’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Nissan Sentra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Sentra. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the front door; the VIN can usually be found on a label or sticker in the Nissan Sentra’s door jamb area.
Explore under the hood of your Nissan Sentra. The VIN might be stamped on the firewall of the vehicle or on other engine bay components.
Check the trunk area of your Nissan Sentra, as the VIN might also be placed in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid’s underside.
Review your Nissan Sentra’s vehicle registration documents, insurance documents, or the title, where the VIN will be accurately recorded for reference.

What info can a 2003 Nissan Sentra VIN reveal?

Model Year & Make: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a 2003 Nissan Sentra, providing users with essential information about the likely make and year of manufacture.
Engine Specifications: It can specify the engine as a Nissan QG18DE with an in-line configuration, 4 cylinders, and 1.8L (1800cc) displacement, offering detailed insights into the potential powertrain of the vehicle.
Fuel Type & Efficiency: The VIN might suggest that this vehicle runs on Gasoline with a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system, possibly giving an idea about fuel efficiency and performance characteristics.
Safety Features: The VIN could reveal the presence of front and side airbags located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, possibly highlighting the potential safety amenities of the vehicle.
Body Class & Size: It may indicate a Sedan/Saloon body class with 4 doors, providing possible clues on the vehicle’s structure and size, suitable for understanding its potential design and utility.
Drive Type & Weight Rating: The VIN can possibly specify a 4x2 drive type and indicate that it falls within Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Class 1, which is 6,000 lb or less, possibly offering insights into its potential handling characteristics and regulatory classification.
Manufacturing Details: Manufacturing details included in the VIN may suggest that the vehicle was assembled in Aguascalientes City, Mexico, by the Aguascalientes Plant, which could be of interest for those valuing production origin and quality implications.

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

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Nissan Sentra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1800.0
Displacement (CI)	109.84273937051
Displacement (L)	1.8
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	QG18DE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
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	Sentra
Model Year	2003
Plant City	Aguascalientes City
Plant Company Name	Aguascalientes plant
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Aguascalientes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	3N1CB51A*3L
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3N1CB51A33L556616