- What you'll get from Nissan Xterra VIN check?
- Nissan Xterra Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Xterra VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Xterra
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Xterra VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan Xterra VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan Xterra VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan Xterra VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan Xterra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Xterra
- How to find a Nissan Xterra's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Xterra
What you’ll get from Nissan Xterra VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2015, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN indicates that the manufacturer of the Nissan Xterra is Nissan North America, Inc, providing insight into the origin of the vehicle.
- Plant City: The VIN reveals the city where the Nissan Xterra was produced, such as Canton, offering details about the manufacturing location of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN indicates that the Nissan Xterra is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), commonly known as an SUV, helping to understand the primary use and function of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN provides information about the body class of the Nissan Xterra, which is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Nissan Xterra Vehicle History Risk Factors
Nissan’s reliability record is mixed — the Frontier and older Maxima have strong reputations, while the CVT-heavy lineup of the 2010s has generated one of the highest rates of powertrain complaints in the segment. A Bumper VIN check on a used Nissan should focus on the following:
CVT transmission failures across multiple models (2012–2018 Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Versa). Nissan’s Jatco CVT transmissions in this generation have among the highest owner-reported failure rates of any modern powertrain component. Failures typically manifest as shuddering, overheating, and sudden loss of drive between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan extended the warranty on these transmissions multiple times due to failure rates. A service record showing CVT replacement or fluid service is important context — but a replacement doesn’t guarantee the replacement unit will outlast the original.
Timing chain stretch on 2.5L QR25DE engine (2002–2012 Altima, Sentra, Rogue). Nissan’s QR25DE engine had documented timing chain and tensioner stretch issues that could cause engine damage if the chain jumped. Look for service records referencing timing chain noise or replacement.
Rust on Frontier and older Xterra. Nissan issued a frame rust recall for Frontiers from 2005–2016 in certain states after discovering frames that could rust completely through. Verify recall compliance on any Frontier from this era — this is a structural safety issue, not cosmetic rust.
Flood damage on Rogues and Altimas. Nissan’s compact SUVs and sedans appear frequently in flood damage reports from hurricane-affected regions. Electrical system issues from water intrusion are particularly problematic on the CVT-heavy Nissan lineup.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Nissan Xterra VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Xterra VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a Nissan Xterra, like any other vehicle, begins with a World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) which consists of the first three characters. The WMI is crucial as it reveals the manufacturer’s identity and the country of origin. For the Nissan Xterra, the WMI is 5N1, indicating that Nissan North America, Inc. manufactured the vehicle. This portion of the VIN is standardized across the industry, allowing anyone to immediately recognize the maker of the vehicle and providing a level of transparency and traceability. It’s an essential tool for tracking the vehicle’s history, ensuring its authenticity, and obtaining accurate information about its production.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Xterra
WMI: 5N1
- Model Years Covered: 2000-2015
- Example VIN: 5N1ED28T0YC516918
- 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 Nissan Xterra VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Nissan’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system type, engine variant, and series level across its Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Frontier, and Titan lineups. On the Rogue and Altima — Nissan’s two highest-volume models — the VDS distinguishes between CVT-equipped and traditional automatic variants, and between the 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder engines offered in different trim levels and model years. This is particularly relevant for used buyers because Nissan’s CVT transmission has a well-documented reliability gap compared to traditional automatics, and confirming which transmission a specific VIN has can significantly affect the risk profile of a used purchase.
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 Nissan Xterra 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 Nissan Xterra VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 2015 Nissan Xterra |
| E | 2014 Nissan Xterra |
| D | 2013 Nissan Xterra |
| C | 2012 Nissan Xterra |
| B | 2011 Nissan Xterra |
| A | 2010 Nissan Xterra |
| 9 | 2009 Nissan Xterra |
| 8 | 2008 Nissan Xterra |
| 7 | 2007 Nissan Xterra |
| 6 | 2006 Nissan Xterra |
| 5 | 2005 Nissan Xterra |
| 4 | 2004 Nissan Xterra |
| 3 | 2003 Nissan Xterra |
| 2 | 2002 Nissan Xterra |
| 1 | 2001 Nissan Xterra |
| Y | 2000 Nissan Xterra |
11th Character in the Nissan Xterra VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan Xterra 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 | 5N1ED28T0YC516918 |
| L | Aguascalientes City | Aguascalientes | Mexico | Aguascalientes Plant | 5N1AN08U78L511756 |
| N | Canton | Mississippi | United States | Canton Plant | 5N1AN0NW0CN800061 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Xterra
The final 6 characters in a Nissan Xterra’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?
How to find a Nissan Xterra’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan Xterra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of the Nissan Xterra; the VIN is usually visible from the outside.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on your Nissan Xterra for a VIN sticker.
- Inspect under the hood of your Nissan Xterra; a VIN plate is often found on the engine block or on the firewall.
- Examine the rear wheel well above the tire on your Nissan Xterra; sometimes the VIN can be located in this area.
- Check your insurance card or policy, as the VIN of your Nissan Xterra will be listed there.
- Review the vehicle title or registration documents for your Nissan Xterra where the VIN will also be provided.
Don’t have your Nissan Xterra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Xterra
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 4000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 244.0949763789 |
| Displacement (L) | 4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Xterra |
| Model Year | 2014 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | 2nd row outboard 2-point manual belts, 2nd row outboard 3-point manual belts, 2nd row center 3-point manual belts |
| Plant City | Canton |
| Plant Company Name | Canton plant |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Mississippi |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | SUV |
| Series2 | Wagon body style |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 5N1AN0NW*EN |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 5N1AN0NW0EN800273 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Nissan Xterra for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Nissan Xterra?
On most Nissan vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Nissan Xterra's history for free?
Enter the Nissan Xterra’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Nissan Xterra VIN numbers start with?
Nissan Xterra VIN's start with 5N1 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Nissan Xterra.
Decode a Nissan VIN
Look up a Nissan Xterra by license plate:
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