Free Ford VIN Decoder

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

  • 100% free
  • Data from NHTSA
  • Instant results

What our free Ford VIN decoder shows

One VIN, the key facts about any Ford. When you enter a Ford 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 Ford 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 F-Series and Ranger, 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 Ford for sale, ordering the right parts, comparing a listing to the real vehicle or getting an insurance quote.

How to look up a Ford 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 Ford VIN

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

1FT FW1E5 7 M F A12345

CharactersIn this VINWhat it tells you
1–3 · WMI1FTThe manufacturer and country. 1FT is a Ford truck built in the United States.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptorFW1E5Series, cab style, body, engine and brake or restraint information.
9 · Check digit7A calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model yearMThe model year: M is 2021.
11 · Plant codeFThe assembly plant.
12–17 · Serial numberA12345The unique production number of that vehicle.

Ford WMI codes

Ford builds most of its US models in North America. These are the codes you will see most often:

WMIBuilt inTypical vehicles
1FAUnited StatesPassenger cars such as Mustang and older Fusion and Focus
1FMUnited StatesSUVs such as Explorer, Expedition and Bronco
1FTUnited StatesPickups and vans such as F-150, Ranger and Transit
1FDUnited StatesSuper Duty chassis cabs and commercial trucks
2FMCanadaSUVs built in Ontario, such as Edge
3FAMexicoPassenger cars such as Fusion
3FMMexicoSUVs such as Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Ford 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 Ford

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 F-Series and Ranger pickups 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 Ford models

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

  • Ford F-150: America’s best-selling pickup line for decades, with gas, hybrid and electric (Lightning) versions.
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty: the heavy-duty pickup used for towing and work.
  • Ford Escape: the compact SUV, sold with gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
  • Ford Explorer: the three-row midsize SUV.
  • Ford Edge: the two-row midsize SUV.
  • Ford Mustang: Ford’s sports car, sold as a coupe and convertible.
  • Ford Ranger: the midsize pickup, back in the US since the 2019 model year.
  • Ford Bronco: the off-road SUV, back since the 2021 model year.
  • Ford Expedition: the full-size SUV.
  • Ford Fusion: the midsize sedan, discontinued after the 2020 model year.

Ford recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 816 recall campaigns for the Ford 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 Ford dealer, even if you are not the first owner.

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

Buying a used Ford: 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 F-Series and Super Duty trucks, ask whether the truck was used for towing, plowing or fleet work.
  • Check the frame and bed for heavy rust on older pickups.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Ford VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Ford 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 Ford 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.

What does 1FT mean at the start of a Ford VIN?

1FT is the World Manufacturer Identifier for Ford trucks built in the United States, such as the F-150. 1FA is used for Ford cars and 1FM for Ford SUVs.

Which character shows the Ford model year?

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

Does a Ford 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.

Can a Ford VIN show the F-150 cab and bed?

Often, yes. Ford encodes the series and cab style in the vehicle descriptor section, so the decoder can usually tell a Regular Cab from a SuperCrew. Bed length is not always encoded.

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