Free Subaru Legacy VIN Decoder

How to decode a Subaru Legacy VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Subaru Legacy VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-character sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide information about the vehicle type and country of manufacture. For Subaru Legacies manufactured between 1991 and 1994 with a WMI of JF1, this indicates they were produced by Subaru Corporation in Japan and are classified as passenger cars. Alternatively, Subaru Legacies carrying the WMI 4S3 were produced from 1991 to 2024 by Subaru of America, Inc., in Lafayette, Indiana, USA, also denoting them as passenger vehicles. Additionally, the codes JF2 and 4S4 correspond to Subaru vehicles classified as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs), further indicating their country and city of manufacture, along with demonstrating the versatile model range and global production sites of Subaru vehicles. These WMI codes serve as a key to decoding essential manufacturing details, enhancing transparency and traceability within the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a Subaru Legacy

WMI: JF1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-1994
• Example VIN: JF1BC6326MK606287
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

WMI: 4S3

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
• Example VIN: 4S3BJ6327M9910347
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Lafayette
• State or Province: Indiana
• Country: United States

WMI: JF2

• Model Years Covered: 1990
• Example VIN: JF2BJ65C5LH905658
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

WMI: 4S4

• Model Years Covered: 1990, 1994
• Example VIN: 4S4BJ63C4L6902162
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Lafayette
• State or Province: Indiana
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru Legacy VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a 2024 Subaru Legacy:

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 Subaru Legacy 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 Subaru Legacy VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Subaru Legacy VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Subaru Legacy Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru Legacy

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

What info can a Subaru Legacy VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, possibly indicating a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, which might help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Safety Features: Safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, and Front Air Bag Locations are standard in the first row for both driver and passenger, possibly indicated in the VIN.
• Engine and Performance Details: Details such as engine model, number of cylinders, and horsepower are typically embedded within a VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN may specify the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as gasoline, alongside engine displacement information which affects fuel efficiency, possibly providing valuable details about the vehicle’s fuel economy.
• Advanced Technology Features: Certain technological advancements like Keyless Ignition and Lane Keeping Assistance that are becoming standard in new vehicles can be identified through the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s technology offerings.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN can reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city, state, and country, such as Lafayette, Indiana, United States, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Physical Attributes: It might provide insights into physical characteristics like body class, indicating it’s a Sedan/Saloon, and drive type, such as AWD/All-Wheel Drive, which affects handling and performance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru Legacy