Free Subaru Impreza VIN Decoder

How to decode a Subaru Impreza VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Subaru Impreza VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or digit sequences assigned to automotive manufacturers, providing essential information about the vehicle, including its country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For the Subaru Impreza, two distinct WMIs have been used over the years. Initially, vehicles produced from 1993 to 2016 and again in 2024 were stamped with JF1, indicating that they were manufactured by Subaru Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. However, for the model years 2017 to 2023, the WMI changed to 4S3, signifying that these Imprezas were manufactured by Subaru of America, Inc., located in Lafayette, Indiana, United States. This transition underscores the global nature of automotive manufacturing and the specific nuances in the production locales of the Subaru Impreza over time.

List of WMI Codes for a Subaru Impreza

WMI: JF1

• Model Years Covered: 1993-2016, 2024
• Example VIN: JF1GF2448PG804026
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

WMI: 4S3

• Model Years Covered: 2017-2023
• Example VIN: 4S3GTAM60H3701349
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Lafayette
• State or Province: Indiana
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru Impreza VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a 2024 Subaru Impreza:

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 Subaru Impreza 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 Subaru Impreza VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Subaru Impreza VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Subaru Impreza Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru Impreza

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

What info can a Subaru Impreza VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it might be from the year 2020, providing insights into the potential age and historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: Details such as the vehicle being a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors are discernible, possibly indicating the body class and size.
• Engine and Performance Specifications: The VIN can explain engine details, possibly highlighting that the vehicle might have a 2.0 L displacement, 152 hp, and operates on gasoline, potentially revealing both performance capabilities and fuel type.
• Safety Features: A VIN can uncover a range of safety features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Curtain Airbags in the 1st and 2nd Rows, and Dynamic Brake Support (DBS), suggesting the vehicle’s emphasis on safety.
• Drive Type and Transmission: It can provide insights into the vehicle’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) functionality and a manual transmission with 5 speeds, showcasing the drivetrain and transmission characteristics.
• Additional Features: The dataset might reveal the availability of advanced features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) being optional, indicating the potential for enhanced driving assist technology.
• Manufacturing Details: Information such as the manufacturing location being Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States is obtainable, possibly affording insights into the vehicle’s origin and production site.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru Impreza