Lexus VIN decoder
Enter a Lexus VIN to see the model, year, engine, factory and open safety recalls. Free, with official NHTSA data.
About Lexus VINs
Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand. Japanese-built Lexus cars start with JTH and SUVs with JTJ. The RX built in Cambridge, Canada starts with 2T2, and the ES built in Georgetown, Kentucky starts with 58A.
Lexus is part of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Good to know
- The decode shows the hybrid system on models such as the RX 450h and ES 300h.
- Toyota's and Lexus's recall lookups show whether recall work was done on a VIN.
- Positions 4 to 8 code the model, body and engine, as on Toyotas.
Lexus manufacturer codes (WMI)
The first three characters of a VIN are the World Manufacturer Identifier. NHTSA lists 8 codes for Lexus. The first character shows the region where the vehicle was built (1, 4, 5 USA; 2 Canada; 3 Mexico; J Japan; K Korea; W Germany; Z Italy).
| Code | Manufacturer | Country | Vehicle type | Also used by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2T2 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada | Canada | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| 58A | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. | United States (USA) | Passenger Car | – |
| 5TD | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. | United States (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Toyota |
| JT6 | Toyota Motor Corporation | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| JT8 | Toyota Motor Corporation | Japan | Passenger Car | – |
| JTE | Toyota Motor Corporation | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Toyota, Subaru |
| JTH | Toyota Motor Corporation | Japan | Passenger Car | – |
| JTJ | Toyota Motor Corporation | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
Some codes are shared by several brands of the same group. The full decode shows the brand.
How to read a Lexus VIN
| Position | Meaning | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Manufacturer code (WMI) | Maker, brand and country, as in the table above. |
| 4-8 | Vehicle descriptor | Model, body, engine and safety equipment. Each maker sets its own layout here. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that catches typing errors and fake VINs. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the year (see the table below). |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory code, set by the maker. |
| 12-17 | Serial number | The production number of that vehicle. |
Model year codes
The 10th character of a Lexus VIN is the model year. Letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used. The codes repeat every 30 years.
Lexus models in the NHTSA database
NHTSA lists 18 model names under Lexus. Decode a VIN to see which one yours is, with its exact trim and engine.
Lexus models with years and recalls
- Lexus TZ 2027
All Lexus model names
- CT
- ES
- GS
- GX
- HS
- IS
- LC
- LFA
- LS
- LX
- NX
- RC
- RX
- RZ
- SC
- TX
- TZ
- UX
Vehicle types NHTSA lists for Lexus
Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), Passenger Car
Where to find the VIN on a Lexus
Windshield
At the bottom of the windshield on the driver side, readable from outside.
Driver door frame
On the label on the door pillar, with tire pressures and weights.
Papers
On the title, registration and insurance card.
Lexus recalls by VIN
Every decoded Lexus VIN on VinGear shows the safety recalls NHTSA lists for that model and year. To know whether the repair was already done on your vehicle, ask a Lexus dealer or use Lexus's own recall lookup with the VIN.
Lexus VIN decoder questions
How do I decode a Lexus VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN in the box at the top of this page and press Decode VIN. You get the model, year, engine, factory and safety recalls from NHTSA, free.
Is this Lexus VIN decoder free?
Yes. Decoding and recall checks are free with no sign-up. The data comes from NHTSA, the US vehicle safety agency.
What do the first three characters of a Lexus VIN mean?
They are the manufacturer code (WMI): maker, brand and country of manufacture. NHTSA lists 8 codes for Lexus; the table on this page shows them.
Does a Lexus VIN show options or the owner?
No. The VIN codes the model, body, engine and factory, not options or colour. It never shows the owner, and VinGear does not look up owners.