In this article 9 sections
Ford’s 2027 VIN filing with NHTSA defines each position: 1-3 WMI (for example 1FT US truck, 1FM US MPV, 3FT Mexico truck), 4 restraints (plus brakes and GVWR for trucks), 5-7 line, series and body, 8 engine, 9 check digit, 10 model year (V = 2027), 11 plant, 12-17 sequence.
Plant codes in Ford’s 2027 table include F Dearborn, E Kentucky Truck, U Louisville, K Kansas City, G Chicago, D Ohio Assembly, R Hermosillo and W Rouge Electric.
Paste any 17-character VIN into the NextCarReview VIN decoder to see the year, make, model, engine and plant data that NHTSA’s vPIC database holds for it.
Codes come from Ford’s 2027 model-year VIN filing (dated August 6, 2026) retrieved through NHTSA’s vPIC GetParts (type 565) endpoint, and from vPIC’s GetWMIsForManufacturer/ford and DecodeWMI endpoints. NextCarReview does not sell vehicle history reports and does not rank paid report services; see our sourcing policy.
This is general information. Decoded details come from manufacturer submissions to NHTSA; always confirm a specific vehicle with its title, the manufacturer or a dealer.
Ford files a detailed VIN key with NHTSA every model year, and it is the most reliable guide to what a Ford VIN means. This page summarizes the 2027 filing, lists the WMIs NHTSA’s vPIC database returns for Ford, and shows which plants build which models. To decode a specific Ford, Lincoln or Ford Pro vehicle, paste the VIN into our free VIN decoder.
What Does Each Position in a Ford VIN Mean?
| Position | Ford’s 2027 description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | World Manufacturer Identifier | Ford company, country and vehicle type |
| 4 | Restraint system (cars); restraint, brake system and GVWR class (trucks, MPVs, buses) | Ford publishes a code grid by GVWR class |
| 5-7 | Make, line, series and body type | See each model’s attachment |
| 8 | Engine type: displacement, cylinders, fuel type and manufacturer | E.g., J = 5.2L V8 on the Mustang GTD |
| 9 | Check digit (0-9 or X) | Per 49 CFR 565.15 |
| 10 | Vehicle model year | V = 2027, T = 2026 |
| 11 | Vehicle assembly plant | See plant table |
| 12-17 | Sequential vehicle identifier | Cars 100001-699999; trucks A00001-J99999 (Ford), L00001-L99999 (Lincoln) |
Ford’s filing gives one complete example. The 2027 Mustang GTD’s VIN pattern is 2FA6P9?J?VH2: WMI 2FA (Ford Motor Company of Canada, passenger car), restraint category 6, line/series/body P9L-P9P depending on edition, engine J (5.2-liter V8), model year V (2027), plant H (Multimatic, Ontario) and a sequence starting at 200001 (Ford 2027 filing).
Which WMI Codes Does Ford Use?
Ford’s own 2027 WMI attachment lists these codes:
| WMI | Manufacturer (Ford filing) | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|
| 1FA | Ford Motor Company, USA | Passenger car |
| 2FA | Ford Motor Company, Canada, Ltd. | Passenger car |
| 1FB | Ford Motor Company, USA | Bus |
| 1FM | Ford Motor Company, USA | Multipurpose passenger vehicle |
| 1FT | Ford Motor Company, USA | Truck (completed vehicle) |
| 2FM / 2LM | Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. | Multipurpose passenger vehicle |
| 3FM | Ford Motor Company, Mexico | Multipurpose passenger vehicle |
| 3FT | Ford Motor Company, Mexico | Truck (completed vehicle) |
| 5LM | Ford Motor Company, USA | Multipurpose passenger vehicle |
| NM0 | Ford Motor Company, Europe | Truck (completed vehicle) |
| 1FC / 1F6 | Ford Motor Company, USA / Detroit Chassis LLC | Basic (stripped) chassis |
| 1FD / 5LD | Ford Motor Company, USA | Incomplete vehicle / incomplete vehicle – limousine |
NHTSA’s vPIC GetWMIsForManufacturer endpoint returns a longer, historical list for "ford", 78 entries in October 2026, which also includes unrelated companies whose names contain "ford" (such as trailer makers) (vPIC). For Ford Motor Company entries, vPIC’s DecodeWMI shows makes such as Ford (1FA, 1FM, 1FT, 2FA, 3FA, 3FT), Lincoln (1LN, 2LM, 3LN, 5LM) and the retired Mercury brand (1ME, 2ME, 4M2), plus older codes shared with partners such as 4F2 (Mazda) and 4N2 (Nissan).
What Are Ford’s Plant Codes (Position 11)?
| Code | Plant (Ford 2027 table) | Example 2027 models in Ford’s filing |
|---|---|---|
| B | Oakville: Oakville, Ontario | Super Duty |
| D | Ohio Assembly: Avon Lake, Ohio | Econoline, F-650/F-750 |
| E | Kentucky Truck: Louisville, Kentucky | Expedition, Super Duty |
| F | Dearborn: Dearborn, Michigan | F-150 |
| G | Chicago: Chicago, Illinois | Explorer |
| H | Multimatic: Ontario, Canada | Mustang GTD |
| J | Hangzhou: Hangzhou, China | Lincoln Nautilus |
| K | Kansas City: Claycomo, Missouri | F-150, Transit |
| L | Michigan Assembly: Wayne, Michigan | |
| M | Cuautitlan: Cuautitlan, Mexico | |
| N | Chicago SHO Center: Chicago, Illinois | |
| R | Hermosillo: Hermosillo, Mexico | Bronco Sport, Maverick |
| W | Rouge Electric: Dearborn, Michigan | |
| 0 | Detroit Empowerment Zone: Detroit, Michigan (Detroit Chassis LLC and MSX International) | |
| 5 | Flat Rock Assembly Plant (AAI): Flat Rock, Michigan | |
| U | Louisville Assembly Plant: Louisville, Kentucky |
How Do You Read the Model Year on a Ford?
Ford’s 2027 filing reprints the federal model-year table: V = 2027, T = 2026, S = 2025, R = 2024, and so on, with 1-9 used for 2031-2039 (Ford 2027 filing; 49 CFR 565.15).
| Position 10 code | Model year |
|---|---|
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
| P | 2023 |
| R | 2024 |
| S | 2025 |
| T | 2026 |
| V | 2027 |
| W | 2028 |
| X | 2029 |
| Y | 2030 |
How Does the Check Digit Work?
Position 9 is calculated from the other 16 characters under 49 CFR 565.15(c). Each letter is converted to a number from the regulation’s Table III (A=1, B=2 … H=8, J=1 … R=9, S=2 … Z=9; digits keep their value), each value is multiplied by a position weight (8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 10, 0, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2), the products are added, and the sum is divided by 11. The remainder is the check digit, with a remainder of 10 written as X. The regulation’s own example, 1G4AH59H45G118341, produces a sum of 411 and a remainder of 4, which matches its ninth character (49 CFR 565.15).
A VIN whose check digit fails the calculation was mistyped or is not genuine. Our decoder runs this test automatically, which catches most typing errors before you rely on any other result.
Where Is the VIN on a Ford?
Federal rules fix the main location. Under 49 CFR 565.13(f), the VIN on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, low-speed vehicles and trucks of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) GVWR or less must be inside the passenger compartment and readable through the glazing by an observer standing outside next to the left windshield pillar, with characters at least 4 mm tall. Section 565.13(e) requires the VIN to be marked clearly and indelibly on a part not designed to be removed except for repair, or on a plate or label permanently affixed to such a part (49 CFR 565.13).
In practice that means the plate at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side. The same 17 characters also appear on the title, registration and insurance card. Before buying a used Ford, compare the dashboard VIN with the door-jamb label and the paperwork; all should match exactly. A mismatch, or a plate that looks loose or altered, is a reason to stop and ask questions.
How Can You Use a Ford VIN Before Buying?
- Decode it with our VIN decoder and confirm year, engine (position 8) and plant against the listing.
- Check the GVWR class on trucks: position 4 encodes it, which matters for towing and registration.
- Check recalls at NHTSA with the full VIN.
- Review history following our accident history guide.
Need the title history?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode a Ford VIN?
Ford’s 2027 model-year VIN filing with NHTSA lays it out: positions 1-3 are the WMI, position 4 is the restraint system (and for trucks, MPVs and buses also brake system and GVWR class), positions 5-7 are make, line, series and body type, position 8 is engine type, 9 is the check digit, 10 is the model year (V = 2027), 11 is the assembly plant and 12-17 are the sequence number.
What do Ford VINs starting with 1FT, 1FM and 1FA mean?
In Ford’s 2027 WMI list, 1FT is Ford Motor Company USA truck (completed vehicle), 1FM is multipurpose passenger vehicle and 1FA is passenger car. 2F_ and 2LM codes are Ford Motor Company of Canada, and 3F_ codes are Ford Motor Company, Mexico.
What is the Ford plant code in a VIN?
Position 11. Ford’s 2027 assembly plant table includes, for example, F Dearborn, E Kentucky Truck, U Louisville Assembly, K Kansas City (Claycomo), G Chicago, D Ohio Assembly (Avon Lake), L Michigan Assembly (Wayne), R Hermosillo, M Cuautitlan, B Oakville and W Rouge Electric.
Which Ford plant built my F-150?
Check position 11 of its VIN. Ford’s 2027 F-150 page lists two assembly plants, Dearborn, Michigan (plant code F) and Kansas City, Claycomo, Missouri (plant code K). Earlier F-150s may show other codes; a VIN decoder reads the plant from Ford’s filing for that model year.
Do Lincoln VINs follow the same system?
Yes. Lincoln is part of Ford Motor Company, and Ford’s 2027 filing lists its Lincoln models under the WMI 5LM; Ford reserves sequence numbers L00001-L99999 for Lincoln trucks and MPVs.
⚠️ Professional Notice:
Codes reflect Ford’s 2027 model-year VIN filing and NHTSA vPIC data retrieved in October 2026; earlier model years can use different plant and engine codes.
NextCarReview.com is not affiliated with NHTSA, NMVTIS, NICB or any vehicle history company and receives no compensation from them.
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Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com
