How to decode a Suzuki Sidekick VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Suzuki Sidekick VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique sequence of characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, providing key details about the vehicle’s make and origin. For Suzuki Sidekick vehicles in the United States, the WMIs JS3, 2S3, and JS4 indicate various model years and vehicle types manufactured by Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., located in Brea, California. With JS3 and 2S3 representing Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs) from selected years between 1989 and 1998, and JS4 signifying trucks from 1989 and 1991, these WMIs help delineate specific vehicle categories under the Suzuki Sidekick line. This coding system enables easy identification of vehicle specifics, including the year of manufacture and vehicle type, directly from the VIN. The integration of these WMIs into vehicle identification numbers underlines the structured approach to vehicle classification and identification utilized globally in the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a Suzuki Sidekick

WMI: JS3

Model Years Covered: 1989, 1991-1993, 1995
Example VIN: JS3TA01C5K4120599
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Brea
State or Province: California
Country: United States

WMI: 2S3

Model Years Covered: 1990, 1992-1998
Example VIN: 2S3TA01C0L6401127
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Brea
State or Province: California
Country: United States

WMI: JS4

Model Years Covered: 1989, 1991
Example VIN: JS4TA01V2K4101053
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Truck
City: Brea
State or Province: California
Country: United States

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

Known VDS for a Suzuki Sidekick
TA01C	TD01V	TD02V	TD03V	TA02C	TE02V	TA01V

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 Suzuki Sidekick 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 Suzuki Sidekick VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998 Suzuki Sidekick
V	1997 Suzuki Sidekick
T	1996 Suzuki Sidekick
S	1995 Suzuki Sidekick
R	1994 Suzuki Sidekick
P	1993 Suzuki Sidekick
N	1992 Suzuki Sidekick
M	1991 Suzuki Sidekick
L	1990 Suzuki Sidekick
K	1989 Suzuki Sidekick

11th Character in the Suzuki Sidekick VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Suzuki Sidekick Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Iwata	Shizuoka	Japan		JS3TA01C5K4120599
6	Ingersoll	Ontario	Canada	Cami	2S3TA01C0L6401127

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Suzuki Sidekick

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

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How to find a Suzuki Sidekick’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Suzuki Sidekick. You’ll commonly find the VIN through the windshield on a plate here.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side. The VIN for the Suzuki Sidekick may be located on a sticker or label where the door latches.
Check under the hood. The VIN can often be found on a plaque or sticker on the engine bay’s firewall for the Suzuki Sidekick.
Inspect the vehicle’s frame near the windshield washer container. Sometimes, the VIN is placed in this area for added visibility.
Review your Suzuki Sidekick’s insurance card or policy. The VIN is typically listed on insurance documentation.
Peek into the service and owner’s manual. The VIN is often recorded in the manual for reference.

What info can a Suzuki Sidekick VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1995, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1995 vehicle, it may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and potential usage.
Engine Specifications: The engine is noted to have a displacement of 1.6 liters (1600 CC or 97.63 CI) and features an Overhead Camshaft (OHC) design, functioning with 4 cylinders, which can provide insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
Fuel Type: The vehicle operates on Gasoline, indicating the type of fuel system it uses.
Drive Type: It is equipped with a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive/4x4) system, suggesting enhanced off-road capabilities, which can provide insights into the vehicle’s handling and performance in different terrains.
Plant of Manufacture: The manufacturing details specify that it was assembled in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, by CAMI, pointing out the geographic origin, which can provide insights into the vehicle’s production and origin.
Vehicle Trim: The trim level is described as Canvas Top, providing hints towards its aesthetic features and possibly its convertible nature, which can provide insights into the vehicle’s appearance and potential design features.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Suzuki Sidekick

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Destination Market	U.S., Canada
Displacement (CC)	1600
Displacement (CI)	97.63799055157
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	2
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Model	Sidekick
Model Year	1995
Other Engine Info	OHC
Plant City	Ingersoll
Plant Company Name	CAMI
Plant Country	Canada
Plant State	Ontario
Trim	Canvas Top
Vehicle Descriptor	2S3TA02C*S6
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	2S3TA02C1S6416426