Free Dodge VIN Decoder

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

  • 100% free
  • Data from NHTSA
  • Instant results

What our free Dodge VIN decoder shows

One VIN, the key facts about any Dodge. When you enter a Dodge 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 Dodge 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.
  • 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 Dodge for sale, ordering the right parts, comparing a listing to the real vehicle or getting an insurance quote.

How to look up a Dodge 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 Dodge VIN

Every Dodge built since 1981 has a 17-character VIN that follows the same international standard. Here is the VIN of a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT:

2C3 CDXBG 3 J H 232310

CharactersIn this VINWhat it tells you
1–3 · WMI2C3The manufacturer and country. 2C3 is a Stellantis (Chrysler) passenger car built in Canada.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptorCDXBGModel line (here, Charger), trim, body, engine and restraint systems. The 8th character is the engine code.
9 · Check digit3A calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model yearJThe model year: J is 2018.
11 · Plant codeHThe assembly plant. This Charger was built in Brampton, Ontario.
12–17 · Serial number232310The unique production number of that vehicle.

Dodge WMI codes

Dodge is part of Stellantis (formerly Chrysler and FCA), so most Dodge VINs use Chrysler-family codes. These are the ones you will see most often:

WMIBuilt inTypical vehicles
2C3CanadaCharger and Challenger built in Brampton, Ontario
2C4CanadaGrand Caravan built in Windsor, Ontario
1C4United StatesDurango built in Detroit
3C4MexicoJourney
1B3 / 2B3United States / CanadaOlder Dodge cars, mostly before 2011
1D7 / 3D7United States / MexicoDodge Ram trucks, before Ram became its own brand

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Dodge 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 Dodge

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.
  • 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 Dodge models

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

  • Dodge Charger: the four-door muscle sedan. The gas V6/V8 model ended after 2023, replaced by the Charger Daytona.
  • Dodge Challenger: the two-door muscle car, sold until the 2023 model year.
  • Dodge Durango: the three-row SUV built in Detroit.
  • Dodge Grand Caravan: the minivan, sold until the 2020 model year.
  • Dodge Journey: the midsize crossover, sold until the 2020 model year.
  • Dodge Ram 1500 (pre-2010): the full-size pickup before Ram became its own brand. For newer trucks, see the Ram VIN decoder.

Dodge recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 265 recall campaigns for the Dodge 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 Dodge dealer, even if you are not the first owner.

To check a Dodge for recalls, enter its VIN above. If a recall is open, contact a Dodge 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 Dodge, run a full vehicle history check or see a sample report first.

Buying a used Dodge: 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 Scat Pack, SRT and Hellcat models, use the VIN’s engine code to confirm the car is the real version, not a re-badged lower trim.
  • Ask whether a performance model was used on a track or modified.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Dodge VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Dodge 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 Dodge 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.

Can a Dodge VIN tell me if a Charger or Challenger is a real Hellcat?

Yes. The 8th character of the VIN is the engine code. Decode the VIN and check that the engine matches the badges, because some cars are re-badged to look like higher trims.

Which character shows the Dodge model year?

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

Does a Dodge 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.

Why does a Dodge Charger VIN start with 2C3?

The 2 means the car was built in Canada. Charger and Challenger were built at the Brampton, Ontario plant, and the C3 is the Chrysler passenger car code.

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 Dodge. Dodge and the Dodge logo are trademarks of their owner.