How to decode a 2003 Volvo XC90 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Volvo XC90 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or number code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides insight into where the vehicle was made and what type of vehicle it is. Specifically, for the 2003 Volvo XC90, the WMI is “YV1”, indicating that it was manufactured by Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden and is classified as a passenger car. This part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is critical in identifying the vehicle’s origin, brand, and basic characteristics without needing to see the vehicle itself. The WMI is essential for regulatory compliance, vehicle tracking, and for providing vital information during recalls or when conducting vehicle history reports. It serves as a global standard ensuring consistency and identification accuracy across the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Volvo XC90

WMI: YV1

Model Years Covered: 2003-2005
Example VIN: YV1CM91H131020678
Manufacturer Name: Volvo Car Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City:
State or Province:
Country: Sweden

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Volvo XC90 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 2003 Volvo XC90:

Known VDS for a 2003 Volvo XC90
CM91H	CM59H	CZ59H	CZ91H	CN59H

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 2003 Volvo XC90 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 2003 Volvo XC90 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Volvo XC90 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Volvo XC90 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Torslanda		Sweden		YV1CM91H131020678

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Volvo XC90

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Volvo XC90’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volvo XC90’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Volvo XC90’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Volvo XC90 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volvo XC90, typically near where the dashboard meets the windshield, which is visible from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area; your VIN should be located on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Check your Volvo XC90’s vehicle registration documents, as the VIN is commonly listed in these official papers.
Examine your insurance card or insurance policy documents, as the VIN for your Volvo XC90 will be printed there for reference.
View the engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine of your vehicle. For the Volvo XC90, it may be located on the front of the engine block.
Inspect the frame of your Volvo XC90, beneath the vehicle; sometimes the VIN can be found stamped onto the chassis.

What info can a 2003 Volvo XC90 VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN may indicate the vehicle’s model year, such as 2003, and could be associated with a specific make like XC90, suggesting the type and brand of the vehicle.
Body Type and Size: The VIN can provide insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use, specifying it as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 5 doors, indicating its passenger capacity.
Drive Type and Transmission: It can possibly specify the vehicle’s drive type as AWD/All-Wheel Drive and its transmission style as Automatic, giving a potential idea of its performance and handling characteristics.
Engine Specifications: Detailed information such as the engine model B5254T2, along with additional features like Variable Valve Timing and a specific Engine Management System (EMS), Bosch Motronic ME 7.01, may be decoded, providing a potential deeper understanding of the vehicle’s power and technology.
Safety Features: The VIN could suggest the presence of specific safety features such as Front Air Bag locations in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and the inclusion of Pretensioners, potentially highlighting the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN can reveal potential manufacturing information, indicating it was possibly produced in Torslanda, Sweden, which could be relevant for those concerned with manufacturing origin for quality, performance, or historical reasons.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Classification such as Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) could potentially help in understanding the vehicle’s size and weight.

Don’t have your 2003 Volvo XC90’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Volvo XC90

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Doors	5
Drive Type	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Engine Model	B5254T2
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	XC90
Model Year	2003
Other Engine Info	w/o EGR, w/o Air Pump, OBDII, Variable Valve Timing Intake and Exhaust, under floor Catalyst, Bosch Motronic ME 7.01 - EMS, RuLo, & ORVR
Other Restraint System Info	Dual Airbags (SRS)
Plant City	Torslanda
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Sweden
Pretensioner	Yes
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	YV1CZ59H*31
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	YV1CZ59H031002820