Free Mazda VIN Decoder

Decode any Mazda 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 Mazda.

  • 100% free
  • Data from NHTSA
  • Instant results

What our free Mazda VIN decoder shows

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

How to look up a Mazda 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 Mazda VIN

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

JM3 KFBCM X L 1 123456

CharactersIn this VINWhat it tells you
1–3 · WMIJM3The manufacturer and country. JM3 is a Mazda SUV built in Japan.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptorKFBCMModel line (here, CX-5), body, engine and restraint systems.
9 · Check digitXA calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model yearLThe model year: L is 2020.
11 · Plant code1The assembly plant.
12–17 · Serial number123456The unique production number of that vehicle.

Mazda WMI codes

Mazda builds vehicles in Japan, Mexico and Alabama. These are the codes you will see most often:

WMIBuilt inTypical vehicles
JM1JapanCars such as Mazda3, Mazda6 and MX-5 Miata
JM3JapanSUVs such as CX-5, CX-9 and CX-30
3MZMexicoMazda3 built in Mexico
3MVMexicoCX-30 built in Mexico
7MMUnited StatesCX-50 built in Alabama
1YVUnited StatesOlder Mazda6 built in Michigan

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Mazda 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 Mazda

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 Mazda models

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

  • Mazda CX-5: the compact SUV and Mazda’s best seller.
  • Mazda Mazda3: the compact car, sold as a sedan and hatchback.
  • Mazda Mazda6: the midsize sedan, sold in the US until the 2021 model year.
  • Mazda CX-9: the three-row SUV, replaced by the CX-90 after the 2023 model year.
  • Mazda CX-30: the subcompact SUV.
  • Mazda CX-50: the compact SUV built in Huntsville, Alabama.
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata: the two-seat roadster.

Mazda recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 82 recall campaigns for the Mazda 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 Mazda dealer, even if you are not the first owner.

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

Buying a used Mazda: 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.
  • Check service records for regular oil changes.
  • On older models, check the underbody and wheel arches for rust.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Mazda VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Mazda 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 Mazda 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 some Mazda VINs start with 7MM or 3MZ?

Mazda builds some US models outside Japan. 7MM is a CX-50 built in Alabama and 3MZ a Mazda3 built in Mexico. Japanese-built Mazdas start with JM.

Which character shows the Mazda model year?

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

Does a Mazda 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 Mazda VIN show if it has AWD?

Usually, yes. The drivetrain is encoded in the vehicle descriptor section, so the decoder can tell a front-wheel-drive CX-5 from an AWD one.

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