Free Chevrolet VIN Decoder

Decode any Chevrolet VIN in seconds. See the model, engine, cab style, drivetrain, assembly plant and model year, plus open recalls from NHTSA, before you buy, sell or service your Chevy.

  • 100% free
  • Data from NHTSA
  • Instant results

What our free Chevrolet VIN decoder shows

One VIN, the key facts about any Chevrolet. When you enter a Chevrolet VIN, the decoder reads the codes built into those 17 characters and matches them to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In a few seconds you see:

  • Model and trim: which Chevrolet model it is, and the trim when it is encoded.
  • Model year: taken from the 10th character of the VIN.
  • Engine and powertrain: engine size, fuel type and transmission when available.
  • Body style: sedan, coupe, SUV, minivan, van or pickup.
  • Truck details: on Silverado and Colorado, the series and cab style are often encoded too.
  • Assembly plant: the factory that built the vehicle.
  • Open safety recalls: any recall on record with NHTSA for that exact VIN.

This helps when you are checking a used Chevrolet for sale, ordering the right parts, comparing a listing to the real vehicle or getting an insurance quote.

How to look up a Chevrolet VIN

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the vehicle or its paperwork (see where to find it below).
  2. Type it into the box at the top of this page. Letters are not case-sensitive.
  3. Select Decode VIN.
  4. Compare the results with the seller’s listing: model, year, engine and drivetrain should all match.

A valid VIN never contains the letters I, O or Q, because they look too much like 1 and 0. If the decoder rejects a VIN, check for those letters first.

How to read a Chevrolet VIN

Every Chevrolet built since 1981 has a 17-character VIN that follows the same international standard. Here is an example:

1GC UYDED 0 M Z 123456

CharactersIn this VINWhat it tells you
1–3 · WMI1GCThe manufacturer and country. 1GC is a Chevrolet truck built in the United States.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptorUYDEDSeries, cab style, body, engine and restraint systems.
9 · Check digit0A calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model yearMThe model year: M is 2021.
11 · Plant codeZThe assembly plant.
12–17 · Serial number123456The unique production number of that vehicle.

Chevrolet WMI codes

Chevrolet is part of General Motors and builds vehicles in the US, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. These are the codes you will see most often:

WMIBuilt inTypical vehicles
1G1United StatesPassenger cars such as Malibu, Camaro and Corvette
1GCUnited StatesPickups and vans such as Silverado and Express
1GNUnited StatesSUVs such as Tahoe, Suburban and Traverse
2GNCanadaSUVs built in Ontario, such as Equinox
3GCMexicoPickups built in Mexico, such as Silverado
3GNMexicoSUVs built in Mexico, such as Equinox and Blazer
KL7South KoreaSmall SUVs such as Trax and Trailblazer

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Chevrolet model year codes

The 10th character shows the model year. The letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used for the year.

CodeYearCodeYearCodeYear
G2016K2019P2023
H2017L2020R2024
J2018M2021S2025
N2022T2026

Where to find the VIN on a Chevrolet

Where to find the VIN on a vehicle: on the dashboard by the windshield and on the label inside the driver’s door jamb
The VIN is usually on the dashboard (seen through the windshield) and on the label inside the driver’s door.
  • Dashboard: on the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side. Look through the windshield from outside the vehicle.
  • Driver’s door jamb: on the label on the door pillar, visible when the door is open.
  • Frame (trucks): on Silverado and Colorado the VIN is also stamped on the frame.
  • Documents: the title, registration and insurance card all list the VIN.

Make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the title. If they are different, do not buy until you know why: it can be a sign of a stolen or rebuilt vehicle.

Popular Chevrolet models

Pick a model to decode its VIN and see recalls by model year:

  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500: the full-size pickup and Chevy’s best-selling vehicle.
  • Chevrolet Equinox: the compact SUV.
  • Chevrolet Malibu: the midsize sedan, whose production ended in 2024.
  • Chevrolet Tahoe: the full-size SUV.
  • Chevrolet Traverse: the three-row midsize SUV.
  • Chevrolet Colorado: the midsize pickup.
  • Chevrolet Camaro: the sports car, discontinued after the 2024 model year.
  • Chevrolet Cruze: the compact car, sold in the US until the 2019 model year.
  • Chevrolet Suburban: the extra-long full-size SUV.
  • Chevrolet Trax: the small SUV built in South Korea.

Chevrolet recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 355 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet models on this page. Recalls are issued for specific VINs, so two vehicles of the same model and year can have different results. The repair for a safety recall is free at any Chevrolet dealer, even if you are not the first owner. Because Chevrolet shares many parts with GMC and Cadillac, a recall on a Silverado or Tahoe often also applies to the matching GMC or Cadillac model.

To check a Chevrolet for recalls, enter its VIN above. If a recall is open, contact a Chevrolet dealer to book the repair, and ask the seller of a used vehicle for proof that past recalls were completed.

Free VIN decoder vs full vehicle history report

The decoder tells you what the vehicle is. A history report tells you what happened to it.

InformationFree decoderFull history report
Model, year, engine, plantYesYes
Open safety recallsYesYes
Title brands (salvage, flood, rebuilt)NoYes
Odometer readingsNoYes
Accident and damage recordsNoYes
Sales and ownership historyNoYes

If you are about to buy a used Chevrolet, run a full vehicle history check or see a sample report first.

Buying a used Chevrolet: what to check

  • The VIN on the dashboard, door jamb and title all match.
  • No open safety recalls, or proof that they were repaired.
  • No salvage, flood or rebuilt title brand.
  • Odometer readings that go up steadily over the years.
  • On pickups, ask whether the truck was used for towing, plowing or fleet work.
  • On V8 trucks and SUVs, ask for oil change and engine service records.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Chevrolet VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Chevrolet VIN?

Type the 17-character VIN into the box at the top of this page and select Decode VIN. We read the manufacturer, model, engine and year codes and match them to NHTSA data.

Is the Chevrolet VIN decoder free?

Yes. Decoding the specs and checking for open recalls is free and does not require an account. A full vehicle history report is a separate paid option.

Why do Chevrolet VINs start with 1G, 2G, 3G or KL?

The first character shows the country where the vehicle was built. 1 means the United States, 2 Canada, 3 Mexico and K South Korea. The letter G stands for General Motors.

Which character shows the Chevrolet model year?

The 10th character. L stands for 2020, P for 2023 and S for 2025.

Does a Chevrolet VIN show recalls?

Yes. Safety recalls are issued by VIN, so checking the exact VIN tells you whether a recall applies to that vehicle and whether it is still open.

Is a Chevy Silverado VIN decoded the same way as a GMC Sierra VIN?

Yes. Both are General Motors trucks and use the same VIN structure. Only the WMI differs: 1GC for a Chevrolet truck and 1GT for a GMC truck.

VIN decoder for other makes

Choose another brand to decode its VIN and see recalls by model.

Source: NHTSA public data, updated October 8, 2026. HistoryByVIN is not affiliated with Chevrolet. Chevrolet and the Chevrolet logo are trademarks of their owner.