How to decode an Oldsmobile Bravada VIN

Characters 1-3 of an Oldsmobile Bravada VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally for identification purposes. These codes, which form the first three digits of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), reveal vital information including the vehicle’s manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, the Oldsmobile Bravada, produced by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States, is assigned the WMI code 1GH. This indicates that it is a multipurpose passenger vehicle manufactured in the US by General Motors. The code is applicable to Bravada models spanning from 1992 to 1994, and from 1996 to 2004, providing a quick reference to identify the make and type of the vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for an Oldsmobile Bravada

WMI: 1GH

Model Years Covered: 1992-1994, 1996-2004
Example VIN: 1GHDT13Z5N2703463
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of an Oldsmobile Bravada 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 an Oldsmobile Bravada:

Known VDS for an Oldsmobile Bravada
DT13Z	DT13W	DT13S	DS13S

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 an Oldsmobile Bravada 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 Oldsmobile Bravada VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
3	2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
2	2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
1	2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
Y	2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
X	1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
W	1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
V	1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
T	1996 Oldsmobile Bravada
R	1994 Oldsmobile Bravada
P	1993 Oldsmobile Bravada
N	1992 Oldsmobile Bravada

11th Character in the Oldsmobile Bravada VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Oldsmobile Bravada Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
2	Moraine	Ohio	United States	Na-Truck Platform	1GHDT13Z5N2703463

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of an Oldsmobile Bravada

The final 6 characters in an Oldsmobile Bravada’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find an Oldsmobile Bravada’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Oldsmobile Bravada is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Oldsmobile Bravada. A small plate here often displays the VIN visible from outside the vehicle.
On the driver’s side door post (where the door latches when it is closed), for the Oldsmobile Bravada, you might find a sticker or a plate with the VIN.
Check under the hood of the Oldsmobile Bravada; the VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or affixed on a plate in the engine compartment.
Examine the rear wheel well directly above the tire; the Oldsmobile Bravada might have its VIN etched or stickered in this less common location.
Peer into the trunk area of your Oldsmobile Bravada. The VIN could be located on the inside of the trunk lid or in the well area where the spare tire is stored.

What info can an Oldsmobile Bravada VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2004, providing insights into the age and the generational design specifics at the time of manufacture.
Body Class and Vehicle Type: Information encoded in the VIN clarifies that this is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), designed to serve multiple purposes, from personal transport to moderate cargo hauling.
Engine Details: The VIN specifies an in-line engine configuration with a displacement of 4.2 liters, 4200.0 CC, or 256.3 CI, powered by gasoline. This provides insights into the vehicle’s power capability and fuel type preference.
Drive Type: According to the VIN, the drive type is 4WD (4-Wheel Drive/4x4), indicating enhanced off-road and adverse condition handling capabilities compared to two-wheel-drive variants.
Brake System Type: The vehicle utilizes a Hydraulic brake system, suggesting a specific mechanism for drivers concerned with vehicle safety and brake performance characteristics.
Fuel Injection Type: This vehicle is equipped with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), offering more efficient fuel use, reduced emissions, and improved performance over older fuel delivery systems.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN uncovers that the vehicle was assembled in Moraine, Ohio, United States, by GM Truck Group, providing a trace of its manufacturing origin which can influence parts availability and serviceability.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for an Oldsmobile Bravada

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	4200.0
Displacement (CI)	256.29972519787
Displacement (L)	4.2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	LL8
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Bravada
Model Year	2002
Plant City	Moraine
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Trim	1/2 Ton
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GHDS13S*22
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GHDS13S122507490