Free SUBARU VIN Lookup & Decoder

Decoding a VIN is essential before purchasing a Subaru vehicle, providing buyers with key details about the car's manufacture and history. A VIN decoder can reveal the model's specifications, assembly location, and any prior incidents or repairs. This information helps ensure the Subaru you're considering meets your expectations and safety standards, making it a vital step in the purchasing process.

Quick Facts about SUBARU

Founded in:1953

Annual Sales:1,065,000 vehicles

Best Selling Model:Subaru Forester

Market Capitalization:Approximately $15 billion

Largest Market:🇺🇸 United States

Country of Origin:🇯🇵 Japan

Subaru, renowned for its commitment to safety and reliability, has become a beloved brand among drivers who value durability and all-weather capability. Established in Japan, Subaru is particularly known for its use of the boxer engine layout and all-wheel drive, which are standard in most models. The brand's popular models, including the Outback, Forester, and Impreza, are praised for their excellent safety ratings and adventurous spirit, making them ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

How to Decode SUBARU VIN

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code that serves to identify and differentiate vehicles. Below you will see a table with a complete breakdown how to decode VIN numbers.

Position	Code	Description
1	4	Indicates the country where the vehicle was manufactured (1 - United States)
2-3	HG	Identifies the vehicle manufacturer (F - Ford Inc.)
4-8	CM826	Specifies the vehicle's brand, engine size, and type
9	3	Vehicle Security Code
10	2	Indicates the model year of the vehicle
11	A	Denotes the plant where the vehicle was assembled
12-17	005243	Serial number of the vehicle

Why Check a Subaru's VIN?

Recall and Safety Validation

With over 1,065,000 vehicles sold annually, a VIN check can determine if a Subaru was impacted by safety recalls, historically affecting up to 10% of certain models, essential for confirming safety and compliance.

Ownership and Service History

Confirming a Subaru's VIN provides access to detailed service records and ownership history, essential for verifying that the vehicle has been maintained according to manufacturer standards.

Fraud Prevention

A VIN check helps protect against purchasing a stolen or salvaged vehicle misrepresented as in good condition, crucial for ensuring the integrity and value of your investment.

SUBARU VIN Guide

Country of Assembly

The first character in the VIN identifies the country where the vehicle was assembled.

Code	Country
1, 4, 5	United States
2	Canada
3	Mexico
J	Japan

Manufacturer

The second character denotes the manufacturer, including historical designations for some Japanese models.

Code	Manufacturer
S	Subaru
F	Fuji Heavy Industries

Brand Division

The third character describes the division within the brand that manufactured the vehicle.

Code	Division
3, 4	Subaru-Isuzu of America
1, 2, 3, 4, B	Fuji Heavy Industries

Model Line

The fourth character specifies the model line, representing various vehicle models.

Code	Model
A	XT, XT6
B	Legacy, Baja
C	SVX
G	Impreza
S	Forester
W	B9 Tribeca

Body Type

The fifth character in the VIN indicates the body type of the vehicle.

Code	Body Type
E	Legacy Sedan
G	Legacy Wagon, Impreza wagon
D	Impreza sedan
F	Forester
K	Legacy wagon
L	Legacy sedan
P	Outback
X	B9 Tribeca

Engine and Drive System

The sixth character represents the engine specifications and drive system, distinguishing between two-wheel and four-wheel drives.

Code	Engine	Drive
2	1.8 liters	Two wheel drive
3	3.0 liters	Two wheel drive
4	2.2 liters	Four wheel drive
6	2.5 liters	Four wheel drive
8	3.0 liters	Four wheel drive

Steering Wheel Position

The seventh character denotes the position of the steering wheel, catering to both left-hand and right-hand drive markets.

Code	Position
L	Left
R	Right

Safety Equipment

The eighth character identifies the specific safety features installed in the vehicle.

Code	Equipment
2	Automatic seat belts
5	Front airbags
6	Front and side airbags
C	Front, side, and side curtain airbags

Check Digit

The ninth character is a check digit used to validate the VIN.

Model Year

The tenth character cycles between letters and numbers to represent the model year, excluding confusing characters.

Assembly Plant and Drive System

The eleventh character indicates the assembly plant and type of transmission used in the vehicle.

Code	Plant	Transmission
6	Subaru of Indiana Automotive (USA)	4×4 manual
7, 8	Subaru of Indiana Automotive (USA)	4×4 automatic
C	Ota City, Gunma, Japan	Two wheel drive automatic
G	Ota City, Gunma, Japan	4×4 manual
H	Ota City, Gunma, Japan	4×4 automatic

Serial Number

Characters twelve through seventeen represent the serial number, unique to each vehicle to ensure distinct identification.

SUBARU VIN Decoder Examples

Here are a few examples of SUBARU VIN numbers, and how decoding them can reveal basic information. You can also uncover a wealth of detailed information, including previous sales photos, odometer reports, salvage status, recalls, and much more in the detailed BADVIN vehicle history reports.

4S3BNAF6XH3024313 — 2017 SUBARU LEGACY (Black, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI DOHC 16V NF4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

JF1GE61688H529432 — 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA (Black, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI SOHC 16V F4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

JF1GJAA65EH019808 — 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA (Blue, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.0L H4 FI SOHC 16V NF4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

4S3BE6565Y7208307 — 2000 SUBARU LEGACY (Tan, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI DOHC 16V F4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

JF1SG636X4H751451 — 2004 SUBARU FORESTER (Silver, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI SOHC 16V F4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

JF1GV7E61CG022015 — 2012 SUBARU WRX IMPREZA WR (Sedan, Dark Gray Metallic, Carbon Black, Manual, Turbocharged Gas Flat 4 2.5L/150, Gasoline, All-wheel Drive)

4S3BD6857X7258937 — 1999 SUBARU LEGACY (Maroon, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI DOHC 16V F4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

4S3BL626466210725 — 2006 SUBARU LEGACY (Silver, Manual, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI SOHC 16V F4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

4S3BL616797226062 — 2009 SUBARU LEGACY (Blue, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.5L H4 FI SOHC 16V NF4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

4S3GKAD66J3617173 — 2018 SUBARU IMPREZA (Gray, Automatic, Gasoline, 2.0L H4 FI SOHC 16V NF4, All-Wheel Drive, 4 Cyl)

Try Your VIN Now

Example: 5J6TF3H59FL001985

Testimonials from our customers

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Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to decode a VIN for a routine service appointment?

While not necessary, decoding a VIN for a routine service appointment can provide the mechanic with precise model information, facilitating accurate service and parts replacement.

What part of the VIN provides information about the engine type in SUBARU vehicles?

In SUBARU vehicles, the part of the VIN that provides information about the engine type is typically one of the middle characters, which varies by manufacturer.

Can VIN decoding help in verifying the warranty status of a SUBARU?

While a VIN decoder can provide the model year that can suggest warranty status, verifying the actual warranty status usually requires direct contact with the manufacturer or dealer.

What implications does a VIN have for importing or exporting SUBARU vehicles?

For importing or exporting SUBARU vehicles, the VIN is crucial for compliance with international regulations, ensuring the vehicle meets safety, emission, and manufacturing standards of the importing country.

How often should I check my vehicle's VIN for updated information?

Regularly checking your vehicle's VIN for updated information, such as recall or service updates, is advisable, especially after announcements of new safety issues.

What can a VIN tell me about the body style of a SUBARU?

The VIN can provide information about the body style of a SUBARU, such as whether it is a sedan, coupe, or SUV, based on specific characters in the VIN sequence.

How can I use a VIN decoder to check for potential recalls of a SUBARU vehicle?

By entering the VIN into a VIN decoder, you can check if there are any recalls specific to that SUBARU vehicle model and year based on its unique history.

What is the significance of the VIN's 9th character?

The 9th character in a VIN is the check digit, which is used to verify the authenticity of the VIN itself through a specific calculation.

How can I find my vehicle's VIN?

You can find your vehicle's VIN on the dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the windshield, and on your vehicle's registration documents.

What does the last six digits of a VIN represent?

The last six digits of a VIN are the vehicle's unique serial number, which identifies the specific unit among others from the same model and production line.