How to decode a 2002 Toyota Prius VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Toyota Prius VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally, forming the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The WMI for the 2002 Toyota Prius indicates that Toyota Motor Corporation manufactured this vehicle, highlighting its origin from Toyota City in the Aichi Prefecture of Japan. This specific WMI confirms the vehicle is a Passenger Car, aligning with the eco-friendly and innovative characteristics of the Prius model from the years 2001 to 2003. The details encoded within the WMI not only authenticate the vehicle’s manufacturer but also provide a geographical and categorical identity, ensuring traceability and conformity to international standards.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Toyota Prius

WMI: JT2

Model Years Covered: 2001-2003
Example VIN: JT2BK18U020048982
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 2002 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 2002 Toyota Prius:

Known VDS for a 2002 Toyota Prius
BK18U	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 2002 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 2002 Toyota Prius VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Toyota Prius VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 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	JT2BK18U020048982

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Toyota Prius

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Toyota Prius’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Toyota Prius’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Toyota Prius’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Toyota Prius is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2002 Toyota Prius. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Toyota Prius. The VIN is often located on a sticker where the door latches.
Peek under the hood of your Prius; the VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or affixed to the firewall or radiator support.
Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, as they should list the VIN of your Prius.
Inspect the rear wheel well directly above the tire; in some vehicles, the VIN can be found in this unlikely but possible location.

What info can a 2002 Toyota Prius VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may contain basic Prius model information, such as engine details like a 1.5L displacement and an in-line engine configuration, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and powertrain.
Body Class and Size: A VIN can specify the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, giving an indication of the vehicle’s size and style.
Drive Type and Electrification Level: Details such as the vehicle being a 4x2 drive and a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) with an unspecified level of electrification can be gleaned, suggesting both performance capabilities and potential fuel efficiency aspects.
Safety Features: The presence of front and side airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) highlights standard safety features that can be inferred from the VIN.
Fuel Type: The VIN specifies primary and secondary fuel types as Gasoline and Electric, respectively, providing comprehensive data on the vehicle’s power and potential environmental impact.
Manufacturing Details: Information about the manufacturing, including the plant location in Toyota City, Japan, and the company name Toyota Motor Corporation - Motomachi Plant, gives insight into the origin and quality standards of the vehicle.

Don’t have your 2002 Toyota Prius’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 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	2002
Plant City	Toyota City
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation-Motomachi plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	NCP12L
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Vehicle Descriptor	JT2BK18U*20
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JT2BK18U020048982