How to decode a 1998 Toyota Sienna VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Toyota Sienna VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code identifies the vehicle’s maker, its type, and the location of its manufacturing. For instance, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., uses the WMI code “4T3” for certain models, including the 1998 Toyota Sienna. This specific WMI indicates that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) produced in Georgetown, Kentucky, United States. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI can provide valuable information about its origin and type, assisting in the identification and tracking of automotive production.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Toyota Sienna

WMI: 4T3

Model Years Covered: 1998-2003
Example VIN: 4T3ZF19C4WU070999
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Georgetown
State or Province: Kentucky
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Toyota Sienna 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 1998 Toyota Sienna:

Known VDS for a 1998 Toyota Sienna
ZF19C	GF13C	ZF13C	GF19C

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 1998 Toyota Sienna 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 1998 Toyota Sienna VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Toyota Sienna VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Toyota Sienna Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Georgetown	Kentucky	United States	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.	4T3ZF19C4WU070999

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Toyota Sienna

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Toyota Sienna’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 1998 Toyota Sienna’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Toyota Sienna is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Toyota Sienna, which can be viewed through the windshield.
Examine the door frame or door post on the driver’s side, where the door latches when it is closed, for a label that includes the VIN.
Check under the hood of your Toyota Sienna for a plate or sticker on the engine block that contains the VIN.
Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance cards, or title/ownership documents, as they will all have the VIN recorded for your Sienna.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, the VIN can be found in this unobvious place, stamped on the car body.
For a comprehensive VIN report, visit your local Toyota dealership or a professional mechanic who can locate the VIN in areas that might not be accessible to you.

What info can a 1998 Toyota Sienna VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1998 and providing insights into the vehicle’s age and market value.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It may specify the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle with a Minivan body class, offering insights into its intended use and capacity.
Engine Specifications: Information such as a 3.0 L V-Shaped engine with 6 cylinders and an engine brake horsepower of 194 can provide details about the vehicle’s power and performance characteristics.
Fuel Type: The VIN can indicate the primary fuel type, in this case, Gasoline, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s environmental footprint and potential fuel efficiency.
Plant Location: Manufacturing details like the plant city being Georgetown, in the state of Kentucky, USA, under the company Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., can provide insights into the vehicle’s production origin, which could be crucial for quality assurance and market value.
Series and Trim: Specific identifiers like the series MCL10L and the trim CE can help in identifying the vehicle’s features and market positioning more precisely.
Drive Type and Doors: The VIN might specify the drive type as 4x2 and the vehicle with 5 doors, offering insights into its practical functionalities and accessibility.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Toyota Sienna

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Minivan
Displacement (CC)	3000.0
Displacement (CI)	183.07123228419
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	194
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	1MZ
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Sienna
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Georgetown
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Kentucky
Series	MCL10L
Series2	Wagon body style
Trim	CE
Vehicle Descriptor	4T3GF19C*WU
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	4T3GF19C6WU029863