How to decode a 2012 Toyota Corolla VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Toyota Corolla VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 2012 Toyota Corolla, multiple WMIs can be relevant depending on where the vehicle was manufactured. The WMI “2T1” identifies Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Ontario, Canada, as the manufacturing location for models produced between 1990 and 2019, and resuming in 2023. Conversely, the WMI “JTD” refers to Toyota Motor Corporation in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, catering to model years from 2003 to 2007, from 2009 to 2013, and from 2020 to 2024. Lastly, the “5YF” WMI points to Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc., for vehicles from 2011 to 2024, showcasing the global footprint of Toyota’s manufacturing for the Corolla.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Toyota Corolla

WMI: 2T1

Model Years Covered: 1990-2019, 2023
Example VIN: 2T1BU4EE0CC755099
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Cambridge
State or Province: Ontario
Country: Canada WMI: JTD
Model Years Covered: 2003-2007, 2009-2013, 2020-2024
Example VIN: JTDBU4EE0C9169878
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan WMI: 5YF
Model Years Covered: 2011-2024
Example VIN: 5YFBU4EE0CP002818
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City:
State or Province:
Country:

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Toyota Corolla 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 2012 Toyota Corolla:

Known VDS for a 2012 Toyota Corolla
BU4EE

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 2012 Toyota Corolla 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 2012 Toyota Corolla VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Toyota Corolla VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Toyota Corolla Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Toyota City	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation-Takaoka Plant	2T1BU4EE3C0916319
9	Susono	Shizuoka	Japan	Higashi Fuji Plant, Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.	JTDBU4EE0C9169878
C	Cambridge	Ontario	Canada	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, Inc.	2T1BU4EE0CC755099
P	Blue Springs	Mississippi	United States	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc.	5YFBU4EE0CP002818

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Toyota Corolla

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Toyota Corolla’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Toyota Corolla’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Toyota Corolla’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Toyota Corolla is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota Corolla. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield on a small, dedicated plate near the corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side once you open the door of your 2012 Toyota Corolla. The VIN is often on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood of your Toyota Corolla; the VIN may sometimes be found on the front of the engine block.
Inspect the rear wheel well directly above the tire. In some vehicles, the VIN can be found in this hard-to-reach area.
In your Corolla’s trunk, lift the carpet to check for a sticker or plate on the floor or the sides which may contain the VIN.
If your Toyota Corolla has a spare tire, remove it to look for a VIN sticker placed in the well where the spare tire normally rests.

What info can a 2012 Toyota Corolla VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, indicating it could be from a particular year like 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The VIN data may include engine details such as the Toyota 2ZR-FE model with a displacement of 1.8L, inline configuration, and an estimated 132 to 148 horsepower, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and performance.
Safety Features: The VIN can detail safety systems present in the vehicle, including curtain airbags available in all rows and front airbags for the first row (driver and passenger), potentially enhancing the understanding of the vehicle’s safety features.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: Through the VIN, one could understand the type of fuel the vehicle uses, such as gasoline, and its method of fuel delivery, like Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), providing valuable information about the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and fuel system.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can give insights into the vehicle’s body class, for example stating it’s a Sedan/Saloon, with details like four doors and a 4x2 drive type, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Manufacturing Details: It can detail the vehicle’s manufacturing location, pointing to Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, which helps trace the origin of the vehicle, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s history and quality.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): The type of TPMS, whether direct or indirect, used in the vehicle for safety and maintenance can also be revealed, providing insights into the vehicle’s maintenance and safety features.

Don’t have your 2012 Toyota Corolla’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Toyota Corolla

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	1798
Displacement (CI)	109.84273937051
Displacement (L)	1.8
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	132
Engine Brake (hp) To	148
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	2ZR-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Corolla
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Susono
Plant Company Name	Higashi Fuji Plant, Kanto Auto Works, LTD.
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Shizuoka
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	ZRE142L / AZE141L
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JTDBU4EE*C9
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JTDBU4EE0C9169878