How to decode a Saturn LS VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Saturn LS VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The WMI for a certain range of Saturn LS models, produced between 2000 and 2002, begins with ‘1G8’, denoting vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, these cars were assembled in Warren, Michigan, indicating both the geographical origin and the manufacturer’s identity. This code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in tracking the vehicle’s history, recalls, and other significant information. The Saturn LS models bearing this WMI signify their classification as passenger cars, embodying a blend of American automotive engineering and design during the specified production years.

List of WMI Codes for a Saturn LS

WMI: 1G8

Model Years Covered: 2000-2002
Example VIN: 1G8JR52F6YY662178
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 Saturn LS 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 Saturn LS:

Known VDS for a Saturn LS
JR52F	JS52F	JS54F

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 Saturn LS 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 Saturn LS VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002 Saturn LS
1	2001 Saturn LS
Y	2000 Saturn LS

11th Character in the Saturn LS VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Saturn LS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
Y	Wilmington	Delaware	United States	Wilmington Assembly	1G8JR52F6YY662178

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Saturn LS

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

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How to find a Saturn LS’s VIN?

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

Examine the driver’s side dashboard of your Saturn LS, where the VIN is commonly placed and can often be seen through the windshield.
Look at the driver’s side door jamb of your Saturn LS, where the VIN might be found on a sticker or label when the door is open.
Check under the hood of your Saturn LS; the VIN could be stamped onto a plate attached to the chassis or on the engine block.
Review your Saturn LS vehicle registration documents or insurance paperwork, as the VIN is always recorded there for identification purposes.
Inspect the rear wheel well directly above the tire; sometimes, the VIN is placed in this less common location on vehicles including the Saturn LS.
Look in the trunk under the spare tire, as the VIN might also be found here on a label or directly stamped onto the body of the Saturn LS.

What info can a Saturn LS VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, pointing to considerable details about its technology and design features, as illustrated by the reported 2001 model year.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, including displacement in liters (2.2L), engine configuration (In-Line), and number of cylinders (4), along with specific engine models (L61) and manufacturers (GM), demonstrates the depth of mechanical insights available.
Fuel Efficiency Attributes: Types of fuel the vehicle uses can be discerned from the VIN, indicating a primary reliance on gasoline, complemented by the vehicle’s fuel delivery system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI).
Safety Features: Safety elements, such as the presence and locations of airbags, including front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, and side airbags, provide a clear view into the vehicle’s safety standards.
Body Class and Size: The VIN decode can offer comprehensive insights into the vehicle’s body class, with this example belonging to the Sedan/Saloon category, highlighting the vehicle’s structure and use case.
Vehicle Manufacture and Assembly: Key manufacturing details, like the plant’s city (Wilmington), country (United States), and specific plant company name (Wilmington assembly), are contained within the VIN, showcasing the geographic origin of the vehicle’s construction.
Transmission and Drivetrain Details: The transmission style, whether automatic or manual, along with intricate engine and drivetrain configurations, such as valve train design being Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), enrich the vehicle’s mechanical profile provided by the VIN.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Saturn LS

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2200.0
Displacement (CI)	134.25223700841
Displacement (L)	2.2
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	170
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L61
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	LS
Model Year	2002
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile
Plant City	Wilmington
Plant Company Name	Wilmington assembly
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Delaware
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Transmission Style	Automatic
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1G8JS54F*2Y
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	1G8JS54F02Y544202