How to decode a Pontiac Safari VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Pontiac Safari VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. It provides specific information about where the vehicle was made, the manufacturer, and the type of vehicle it is. For the Pontiac Safari, the WMI 1G2 indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This identifier is specific to passenger cars, as portrayed in the VIN structure. Such identification is crucial for various purposes, including registration, insurance, and vehicle recalls.
List of WMI Codes for a Pontiac Safari
WMI: 1G2
- Model Years Covered: 1988
- Example VIN: 1G2BL81Y9JA204542
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Pontiac Safari 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 Pontiac Safari:
| Known VDS for a Pontiac Safari |
|---|
| BL81Y |
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 Pontiac Safari 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 Pontiac Safari VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 Pontiac Safari |
11th Character in the Pontiac Safari VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Pontiac Safari Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Lakewood Heights | Georgia | United States | Lakewood Assembly | 1G2BL81Y9JA204542 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Pontiac Safari
The final 6 characters in a Pontiac Safari’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 Pontiac Safari’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Pontiac Safari is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Pontiac Safari, where it meets the windshield, to locate the VIN plate visible from outside the vehicle.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb on your Pontiac Safari for a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed, which should display the VIN.
- For older Pontiac Safari models, check under the hood for a stamped metal plate attached to the engine block, as the VIN could be located there.
- Examine the rear wheel well directly above the tire. In some cases, the VIN can be found stamped in this area on a Pontiac Safari.
- Review your Pontiac Safari’s insurance card or policy, as these documents typically list the VIN among the vehicle details.
What info can a Pontiac Safari VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating it as the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The data possibly indicates a Passenger Car with a Wagon body style, offering insights into the vehicle’s size, purpose, and storage capacity.
- Engine Specifications: The vehicle apparently boasts a V-Shaped engine configuration, with an impressive displacement of 5 liters (5000 CC or 305.1187204736 CI), and it is powered by an 8-cylinder engine, potentially suggesting a powerful performance capability.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle may have been manufactured in Lakewood Heights, Georgia, United States, by Lakewood assembly, potentially hinting at the build quality and availability of parts.
- Model and Series: The model possibly identified as Safari and the series as Export Only - Parisienne, suggesting unique features or editions tailored for certain markets.
- Safety Features: The presence of a Manual seat belt type might indicate the vehicle’s safety features, reflecting the safety technology available at the time of manufacture.
- Engine Manufacturer: With the engine made by BOCL, this detail might suggest the engine’s reliability, performance characteristics, and maintenance requirements based on the reputation and specialties of the manufacturer.
Don’t have your Pontiac Safari’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Pontiac Safari
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.1187204736 |
| Displacement (L) | 5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | BOCL |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Model | Safari |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Plant City | Lakewood Heights |
| Plant Company Name | Lakewood assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Georgia |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Export Only - Parisienne |
| Trim | Safari Wagon |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G2BL81Y*JA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G2BL81Y9JA204542 |
Decode a Pontiac VIN
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today