Subaru VIN decoder
Enter a Subaru VIN to see the model, year, engine, factory and open safety recalls. Free, with official NHTSA data.
About Subaru VINs
Subarus built in Japan start with JF1 (cars) or JF2 (SUVs such as the Forester and Crosstrek). The Legacy, Outback and Ascent built in Lafayette, Indiana start with 4S3 or 4S4.
Subaru is part of Subaru Corporation.
Good to know
- Nearly every Subaru sold in the US has all-wheel drive, and the VIN shows the model, body and engine.
- The 8th character is the engine code, for example the 2.5 or the 2.4 turbo.
- Subaru was called Fuji Heavy Industries until 2017, and NHTSA records still use that name for older VINs.
Subaru manufacturer codes (WMI)
The first three characters of a VIN are the World Manufacturer Identifier. NHTSA lists 5 codes for Subaru. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4S3 | Subaru Of America, Inc | United States (USA) | Passenger Car | – |
| 4S4 | Subaru Of America, Inc | United States (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| JF1 | Subaru Corporation | Japan | Passenger Car | Toyota |
| JF2 | Subaru Corporation | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| JF3 | Fuji Heavy Industries U.S.A., Inc. (C/O Subaru Of America) | Japan | Truck | – |
Some codes are shared by several brands of the same group. The full decode shows the brand.
How to read a Subaru 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 Subaru VIN is the model year. Letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used. The codes repeat every 30 years.
Subaru models in the NHTSA database
NHTSA lists 26 model names under Subaru. Decode a VIN to see which one yours is, with its exact trim and engine.
Subaru models with years and recalls
- Subaru Uncharted 2026–2027
- Subaru Trailseeker 2026–2027
All Subaru model names
- Ascent
- B9 Tribeca
- Baja
- Brat
- BRZ
- Crosstrek
- DL
- Forester
- GL
- GL-10
- GLF
- Impreza
- Justy
- Legacy
- Loyale
- Outback
- RX
- Solterra
- Standard
- SVX
- Trailseeker
- Uncharted
- WRX
- XT
- XT6
- XV CrossTrek
Vehicle types NHTSA lists for Subaru
Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), Passenger Car, Truck
Where to find the VIN on a Subaru
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.
Subaru recalls by VIN
Every decoded Subaru 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 Subaru dealer or use Subaru's own recall lookup with the VIN.
Subaru VIN decoder questions
How do I decode a Subaru 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 Subaru 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 Subaru VIN mean?
They are the manufacturer code (WMI): maker, brand and country of manufacture. NHTSA lists 5 codes for Subaru; the table on this page shows them.
Does a Subaru 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.