Decode Dodge VIN Number - Lookup and History Check

Dodge VIN Decoder

Brothers Horace and John Dodge were integral to one of the most significant industrial friendships and collaborations the world has ever seen. In the early 1900s, the brothers honed their skills at Ford as engine builders; by 1914, the beginning of the Dodge Automotive Empire was on its way.

Dodge is a brand labeled iconic by the majority of automotive enthusiasts.

Prospective Dodge owners can verify the model year, its specifications, models, and where they were manufactured, along with other valuable information, using the GoodCar VIN Decoder application. The Dodge VIN is its fingerprint, and the GoodCar service can uncover a host of records so that any business or individual can make a well-informed decision about a specific vehicle.

A Dodge VIN is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to each passenger car and truck coming off the assembly line. Use the free GoodCar tool to input the 17-digit code. The application will return a wealth of information on a specific Dodge vehicle.

Businesses and prospective purchasers find the VIN information vital to sound business decisions. Users may find weights, dimensions, and capacities essential stats for their business, while performance drivers may want to know engine size, transmission types, and any optional equipment.

In 1981, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) standardized a 17-digit alphanumeric code for passenger cars and trucks to be displayed in two specific locations. Inputting the code into the GoodCar application will come in handy for fleet managers and business people.

In the early days of Dodge VINs, the company stamped vehicles with specific build numbers, usually called chassis or frame numbers. Tin plates were stamped with the serial, chassis, or frame number and placed under the hood or attached to the firewall. From 1954 to 1981, there was no specific way or placement location.

Deciphering a Dodge VIN

Decoding the Dodge VIN has improved in recent years with the combination of characters and letters to give the VIN more clarity

Manufacture Identifier

region

country

manufacturer

Vehicle descriptor section

body

restraint system

engine

checksum digit

model year

manufacturing plant

production sequence number

VIN Digit

Meaning

1^st

The first digit of the Dodge VIN tells the general geographic area or region of the world where a specific vehicle was built.

2^nd

The second position is the Country of Origin.

3^rd

The third position indicates who built the passenger car or truck.

4^th - 8^th

Positions four through eight are the meat of a Dodge VIN, providing most of the vehicle information. This group of characters describes the engine, transmission type, body type (4-door, hatchback, etc.), restraint system, and the GVWR (gross vehicle weight range) for light-duty trucks and MPVs. Positions four and five describe the vehicle line or group and the series.

6^th

In the sixth position is the Dodge body type, such as a four-door or hatchback.

7^th

Position seven is the restraint system.

8^th

In Position eight is the engine size, such as a four, six, or, eight-cylinder.

9^th

The ninth position of the Dodge VIN is the check-sum. Dodge provides this unique character to validate the VIN with a pre-determined algorithm. Quality VIN check services such as GoodCar use the check-sum to authenticate the VIN to a specific vehicle.

10^th

Position ten is the model year. The NHTSA has approved 30 characters for this slot.

11^th

Position eleven is the exact plant where the vehicle came off the assembly line. Dodge is part of the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group, which has 36 manufacturing plants worldwide. The majority of Dodge vehicles are built in the United States.

12^th - 17^th

Positions twelve through seventeen are generally considered the serial or sequence number. However, in recent years, the characters provide more information. The last six usually describe add-ons during the final phase of production, such as sensor-based technologies.

Where Can I Find the VIN on My Dodge?

Since 1981, the NHTSA has mandated the placement of the VIN at two locations. The Dodge VIN will be located in the lower-left corner of the driver’s side dashboard. You can read the VIN by looking through the windshield. The second mandated location is on a sticker or plate on the driver’s side door jam or pillar B about halfway down the post. Open the door to view the VIN along with other information, such as the tire size and the needed air pressure.

Popular Dodge Models

The Dodge Challenger is an iconic model, with its heyday in the 1970s. It was brought back for performance customers. The Challenger's horsepower ranges from 303 to the Hellcat's 807. The next-generation Dodge muscle car is going hybrid and all-electric and will be in showrooms in 2025.

The Dodge Ram Truck is one of the brand's best-selling models, and the company continues to offer all options and accessories to increase sales. Dodge Ram is also going electric in 2024, with eight trim levels and a host of engine choices.

The Dodge Charger is another model the company uses for its performance customers and also the law enforcement market. The Charger is perfect as a police cruiser with its big engines and performance attributes.

Prospective owners can use a quality history search to improve their buying decisions with a vehicle. Knowing how long and what type of reliable service a vehicle will provide for a family is also vitally important. Instantly access a detailed timeline on any Dodge passenger car or truck and know its safety and reliability status.

Title issues such as salvage, rebranded, or junk titles are essential to make sure the buyer is making an informed decision. GoodCar provides over fifty problem title brands that are searched for in state and local law enforcement databases.

Dodge VIN Lookup

Know instantly if the vehicle you are considering has any theft or vandalism issues. Every collision and accident is reported, and any lien records, past or present, are provided on the report. NHT

Business owners and fleet managers know the value of good history reports, which can provide a wealth of valuable information to improve business decisions regarding their cars and trucks. The report includes all vital pricing information, trade-in values, wholesale/retail numbers, and private-party sales.

Reporting services provide detailed information to individuals and businesses that need to make an informed decision about the vehicle’s purchase or long-term use. History reports are pulled from a vast number of state, local, and federal databases.

Odometer fraud has always been one of the fastest-growing and profitable forms of automotive crime. Use the GoodCar service to find differences in reported mileage after a sales transaction. Sales, service, and recall history documents the mileage.

Dodge Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins

Use the GoodCar service to discover if a vehicle has any NHTSA or manufacturer recall notices. The report gives the recall reason and the issue with the vehicle and provides what the customer needs to do with their Dodge.

Notifications are being sent out for a Dodge Recall affecting 284,982 Chargers and Chrysler 300 models for side-curtain inflators that could rupture unexpectedly. It is possible that sharp metal fragments could enter the passenger compartment. It is strongly advised to take your car to a dealership where they will inspect and repair the problem free of charge.
On January 1, 2024, Dodge recalled more than 600,000 Ram Trucks because Cummins, which builds for Dodge, illegally bypassed emissions testing requirements. Dodge and Cummins must pay a $1,675 billion fine. Cummins is required to replace the faulty software on all affected Ram Truck models.
A recall affected nearly 341,000 Ram trucks because an electrical connector can overheat and cause a fire. The company is advising its owners to park the vehicle until they can get it to a Dodge dealership. Dodge is reporting six fires from the connector but no major injuries.