- What you'll get from Subaru Solterra VIN check?
- Subaru Solterra Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Subaru Solterra VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Subaru Solterra
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru Solterra VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Subaru Solterra VIN.
- 10th Character in the Subaru Solterra VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Subaru Solterra VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Subaru Solterra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru Solterra
- How to find a Subaru Solterra's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru Solterra
What you’ll get from Subaru Solterra VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2023, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: A VIN might uncover the vehicle type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle and body class details, indicating it as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
- Drive Type and Electrification Level: It may reveal the drive type as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, and specify the electrification level, indicating that the vehicle is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).
- Engine and Fuel Type: The VIN often encodes engine specifications, such as ‘1YM Motor’ with an 80 kW power output, along with the primary fuel type, which in this case is electric.
- Safety Features and Air Bag Locations: Safety features available for the vehicle, including ABS, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), could be standard across models. It can also provide details on air bag locations, such as the 1st and 2nd rows for curtain air bags, and the 1st row for both front and knee air bags.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN typically reveals details regarding the manufacturing plant, including city (Toyota City), company name (Toyota Motor Corporation-Motomachi plant), country (Japan), and state (Aichi).
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Information on standard advanced driver assistance systems like Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) may be found in the VIN.
Subaru Solterra Vehicle History Risk Factors
Subaru’s reputation for reliability is strong among loyal owners, but the used Subaru market has several specific patterns that a vehicle history check will help surface.
Head gasket failures on 2.5L EJ25 non-turbo engine (1999–2011 Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza). This is the most well-known Subaru issue in the used car market. The non-turbo 2.5L EJ25 engine had a head gasket design that failed at elevated rates, typically between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, causing external coolant leaks and, if ignored, internal coolant-oil mixing. Repair costs are $1,500–$2,500. Service records showing head gasket replacement on older Subarus are a significant data point — it means the repair was done, which is better than not, but the engine’s overall condition should still be evaluated carefully.
CVT reliability on Crosstrek and Impreza (2017–present). Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT has generated more owner complaints in recent model years than the previous automatic transmissions. High-mileage examples warrant inspection of transmission fluid service history.
Oil consumption on 2013–2020 2.0L FB20 and 2.5L FB25 engines. Subaru’s second-generation flat-four engines had a documented oil consumption issue — some owners reporting 1 quart per 1,000 miles — that prompted a class action settlement and extended warranty coverage. A Bumper report won’t show oil consumption directly, but ownership and service records can indicate whether the issue was addressed under warranty.
WRX and STI engine modifications. Turbocharged Subarus — particularly WRX and STI models — are among the most frequently modified vehicles in the used market. Engine swaps, aftermarket turbo upgrades, and ECU tunes are common and void the factory powertrain warranty. VIN-confirmed factory spec verification is the first step in evaluating any used performance Subaru.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Subaru Solterra VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Subaru Solterra VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. It reveals the vehicle’s brand, the country where it was manufactured, and the type of vehicle it is. For example, Subaru uses specific WMIs for its models, such as the Subaru Solterra, marking the start of its VINs to signify its production by Subaru Corporation. The WMI can indicate that the manufacturing took place in Japan and classify the vehicle type, potentially as a passenger car or a multipurpose vehicle. This key information is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory compliance around the world.
List of WMI Codes for a Subaru Solterra
WMI: JTM
- Model Years Covered: 2023-2024
- Example VIN: JTMABABA0PA000417
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Toyota City
- State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru Solterra VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Subaru’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes drivetrain type, engine variant, body style, and series configuration across the Outback, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, and Crosstrek lineups. Virtually all Subaru models share the same symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, so the VDS encoding focuses more heavily on distinguishing engine variants — particularly the 2.0L naturally aspirated four-cylinder, 2.5L naturally aspirated, 2.5L turbocharged (Legacy GT, Forester XT), and the EJ257 turbocharged flat-four used in the WRX and STI. The engine character in the VDS is critical for WRX and STI buyers especially, as VIN-confirmed engine verification protects against the common practice of installing aftermarket engines into base Impreza shells.
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 Solterra 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 Solterra VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Subaru Solterra |
| P | 2023 Subaru Solterra |
11th Character in the Subaru Solterra VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Subaru Solterra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Toyota City | Aichi | Japan | Toyota Motor Corporation-Motomachi Plant | JTMABABA0PA000417 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru Solterra
The final 6 characters in a Subaru Solterra’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 Subaru Solterra’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Subaru Solterra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of the Subaru Solterra; the VIN is often displayed on a small plate visible from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of the Subaru Solterra; you might find the VIN on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
- Check beneath the hood of the Subaru Solterra; the VIN can sometimes be found on a sticker or a plate near the engine bay.
- For detailed records or maintenance history, review the Subaru Solterra’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is typically listed on these documents.
Don’t have your Subaru Solterra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru Solterra
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) | Standard |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electrification Level | BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Model | 1YM Motor |
| Engine Power (kW) | 80 |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Electric |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Solterra |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Other Engine Info | Motor Type & Maximum Output: Front/Rear: 1YM Motor, 80kW |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belt : All seats |
| Parking Assist | Standard |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Toyota City |
| Plant Company Name | Toyota Motor Corporation-Motomachi plant |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Aichi |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | 15 Series |
| Series2 | Wagon Body Style |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JTMABABA*PA |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | JTMABABA0PA000417 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Subaru Solterra for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Subaru Solterra?
On most Subaru vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Subaru Solterra's history for free?
Enter the Subaru Solterra’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Subaru Solterra VIN numbers start with?
Subaru Solterra VIN's start with JTM for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Subaru Solterra.
Decode a Subaru VIN
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