How to decode a 2002 Nissan Xterra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Nissan Xterra VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin, type, and manufacturing year. For instance, a Nissan Xterra produced between 2000 and 2015 bears the WMI code “5N1”, indicating it was manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. The vehicle falls under the multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV) category, reflecting its design and capabilities. Through such WMIs, each vehicle can be traced back to its roots, revealing crucial information about its manufacturing specifics.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Nissan Xterra

WMI: 5N1

Model Years Covered: 2000-2015
Example VIN: 5N1ED28Y02C500320
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 2002 Nissan Xterra 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 2002 Nissan Xterra:

Known VDS for a 2002 Nissan Xterra
ED28Y	MD28Y	MD28T	ED28T	DD28T

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 2002 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 2002 Nissan Xterra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Nissan Xterra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 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	5N1ED28Y02C500320

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Nissan Xterra

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Nissan Xterra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Nissan Xterra’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Nissan Xterra’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Nissan Xterra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2002 Nissan Xterra. The VIN can generally be seen through the windshield on a plaque mounted to the dashboard.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Nissan Xterra. The VIN might be found on a label or sticker in this area.
Inspect the engine block of your 2002 Nissan Xterra, as VINs are sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk or cargo area of your Nissan Xterra; sometimes the VIN is located there.
Review your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, as the VIN for your Nissan Xterra will be listed on all official vehicle paperwork.

What info can a 2002 Nissan Xterra VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the Nissan Xterra.
Body Class and Drive Type: It indicates the vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a 4x2 drive type, giving users details about the vehicle’s intended use and drivetrain.
Engine Type: The VIN decodes detailed engine information, such as it being equipped with a 2.4L In-Line 4-cylinder engine with a dual overhead cam (DOHC) valve train design, manufactured by Nissan.
Fuel Type: The VIN identifies that the vehicle relies on gasoline as its primary fuel source, a critical decision-making factor for potential owners concerned with fuel efficiency and operating costs.
Safety Features: The presence of a 4-Wheel ABS brake system that operates hydraulically is identified, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety mechanisms.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN includes manufacturing specifics, pinpointing the vehicle’s assembly in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States, at the Smyrna Plant, giving a glance at the geographic origin of the vehicle.
Vehicle Weight Class: It falls into the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), which helps in understanding the vehicle’s size category and potential usage in terms of payload and towing capabilities.

Don’t have your 2002 Nissan Xterra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Nissan Xterra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Description	4-Wheel ABS
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	2389
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	155
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	KA24DE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Xterra
Model Year	2002
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name	Smyrna plant
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Series2	Wagon body style
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	5N1DD28T*2C
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5N1DD28T02C542258