How to decode a 2001 Toyota Prius VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Toyota Prius VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally, serving as the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to identify the vehicle’s maker, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For instance, the 2001 Toyota Prius has a WMI that indicates it was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation, situated in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This specific code not only identifies Toyota as the manufacturer but also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. WMIs are crucial for vehicle identification, facilitating tracking, registration, and recall processes. This system ensures that every vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide, providing essential information through just a few characters.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 Toyota Prius

WMI: JT2

Model Years Covered: 2001-2003
Example VIN: JT2BK12U010005508
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2001 Toyota Prius 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 2001 Toyota Prius:

Known VDS for a 2001 Toyota Prius
BK12U

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 2001 Toyota Prius 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 2001 Toyota Prius VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

11th Character in the 2001 Toyota Prius VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2001 Toyota Prius 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-Motomachi Plant	JT2BK12U010005508

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Toyota Prius

The final 6 characters in a 2001 Toyota Prius’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2001 Toyota Prius’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2001 Toyota Prius is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard of your 2001 Toyota Prius on the driver’s side. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
Check the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Toyota Prius. The VIN might be located on a sticker where the door latches shut.
Look under the hood of your Prius; the VIN may also be stamped onto the engine block or fixed on a plate within the engine compartment.
Inspect the rear wheel well. On some vehicles, including the Toyota Prius, you can sometimes find the VIN above the tire.
Review your Toyota Prius’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is generally listed there.
Check the vehicle title and registration documents, as the VIN will be provided within those official papers.

What info can a 2001 Toyota Prius VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2001, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN information includes a Toyota Prius model, powered by a 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine, showcasing the detailed make, model, and engine details that can be obtained from VINs.
Fuel Type: The vehicle utilizes a combination of gasoline and electric power, indicating the potential for VINs to reveal intricate fuel system designs, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Safety Features: The VIN analysis indicates the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, demonstrating how VINs can offer insights into the vehicle’s safety equipment.
Drive Type and Doors: The VIN indicates a 4x2 drive type and 4 doors, illustrating how VINs can inform about the vehicle’s drive configuration and body style.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN specifies production in Toyota City, Japan, by Toyota Motor Corporation - Motomachi Plant, proving that VINs can trace the geographic origin and manufacturer of the vehicle.
Environmental Considerations: The presence of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) status, supported by secondary electric fuel, underlines the potential of VINs to identify environmentally friendlier vehicle options.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 Toyota Prius

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1500.0
Displacement (CI)	91.53561614209
Displacement (L)	1.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Electrification Level	HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) - Level Unknown
Engine Brake (hp) From	70
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	INZ-FXE + motor
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary	Electric
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	Prius
Model Year	2001
Plant City	Toyota City
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation-Motomachi plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	NHW11L
Vehicle Descriptor	JT2BK12U*10
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JT2BK12U010005508