How to decode a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. This code consists of the first three characters in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), where each character can signify the manufacturer’s identity, the vehicle’s type, and its country of production, among other details. For instance, in the case of a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the WMI identifies it as a vehicle produced by Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., indicating that it is a multipurpose passenger vehicle designed and made in the United States, specifically in California. This identifier not only helps track the vehicle’s origin but also assists in recalling important information relevant to regulations, standards, and safety measures adhered to during manufacturing. Hence, WMIs serve as an essential tool in the automotive industry for identifying vehicles accurately and swiftly across the globe.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara

WMI: JS3

Model Years Covered: 1999-2013
Example VIN: JS3TD62V0X4104778
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Brea
State or Province: California
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara 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 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara:

Known VDS for a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
TD62V	TE62V

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 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara 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 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Iwata	Shizuoka	Japan		JS3TD62V0X4104778

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Suzuki Grand Vitara’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Suzuki Grand Vitara; you can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb for a sticker or plate on the Suzuki Grand Vitara that might display the VIN.
Check under the hood of your 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara; the VIN can sometimes be found on the engine block or the firewall.
Inspect the rear wheel well; the VIN can occasionally be found stamped above the tire on your Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Consider looking at the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card, as these will have the VIN listed for your Suzuki Grand Vitara.

What info can a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating its age and market value.
Manufacturing Location: Production specifics such as the plant city, state, and country where the vehicle was manufactured are encoded in the VIN, possibly highlighting the geographic origins of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The make and model of the vehicle are specified, and it is categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a body class that indicates its design and possible uses.
Engine and Performance: Details about the engine, including its displacement in liters, the number of cylinders, and the primary fuel type, are specified, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency.
Drive Type: The VIN specifies the vehicle’s drive type, which can be crucial for potential buyers looking for specific handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Safety Features: While explicit safety features aren’t detailed, the VIN indicates the number of doors and body type, which may factor into the vehicle’s overall safety and structural integrity.
Destination Market: It’s noted that the vehicle is intended for specific markets, which can influence its specifications and standards to meet regulatory requirements of those regions.

Don’t have your 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Destination Market	U.S., Canada
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Model	Grand Vitara
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	Valve #: 4
Plant City	Iwata
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Shizuoka
Trim	Hard Top
Vehicle Descriptor	JS3TD62V*X4
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JS3TD62V0X4104778