How to decode a 2002 Toyota RAV4 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Toyota RAV4 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned to automakers that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. They are the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location, vehicle type, and model year. For instance, the WMI for a 2002 Toyota RAV4 produced by Toyota Motor North America, Inc. indicates that it is a multipurpose passenger vehicle, confirming its nature as an SUV. This particular vehicle would have a WMI starting with “JTE,” denoting its production by Toyota in the United States. These codes are invaluable in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Toyota RAV4

WMI: JTE

Model Years Covered: 2001-2005
Example VIN: JTEGH20V026000350
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Washington
State or Province: DC
Country: United States WMI: JT3
Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2002
Example VIN: JT3GS10V420002576
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2002 Toyota RAV4 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 RAV4:

Known VDS for a 2002 Toyota RAV4
GH20V	GS10V	HH20V

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 RAV4 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 RAV4 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Toyota RAV4 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Toyota RAV4 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Tahara	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation-Tahara Plant	JTEGH20V020041922
6	Tahara	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation-Tahara Plant	JTEGH20V026000350

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Toyota RAV4

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Toyota RAV4’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2002 Toyota RAV4’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Toyota RAV4 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota RAV4, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2002 Toyota RAV4 where the door hinges meet the frame. A sticker or plate with the VIN should be there.
Under the hood, check the front of the engine block. Your Toyota RAV4’s VIN might be stamped onto the engine itself.
Look inside the driver-side door, where the door latches when it is closed. The VIN may also be found on a sticker or a plate in this area.
Inspect the rear wheel well directly above the tire; sometimes the VIN is placed on the body of the car in this location.
Lastly, check your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance paperwork for the VIN if you cannot locate it on the vehicle itself.

What info can a 2002 Toyota RAV4 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes detailed information, such as a 2.0 Liter engine with an in-line configuration and a horsepower of 148, offering insight into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Body Class and Size: By decoding the VIN, one can learn that the Toyota RAV4 is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 5 doors, indicating its size and utility.
Drive Type: The available drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, suggests the Toyota RAV4 is equipped for robust performance and versatility across various terrains.
Fuel Type: It specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel efficiency.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing, including that the Toyota RAV4 was assembled in Tahara, Aichi, Japan by Toyota Motor Corporation - Tahara Plant.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Information regarding the weight category, such as Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg), offers insights into the vehicle’s load capacity and overall size class.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Toyota RAV4

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Brake (hp) From	148
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	1AZ-FE
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	RAV4
Model Year	2002
Plant City	Tahara
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation-Tahara plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Series	MCU20L/MCU25L/ACU20L/ACU25L
Series2	Wagon body style
Vehicle Descriptor	JTEHH20V*20
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JTEHH20V020135688