Toyota VIN Decoder
In 1957, Toyota Motor Co. imported its first passenger car (the Toyota Crown) to American shores, thus beginning the Japanese Imports era. Toyota reported 2023 sales to the American market of 2,248,477 vehicles, an increase of 5.5% year-over-year.
Toyota is a global brand with 67 manufacturing plants worldwide. The company markets its products to nearly every country and has a 370,000-strong workforce.
Toyota’s VIN, sometimes called the chassis number, represents where that vehicle was manufactured, the year, and the manufacturing plant’s location. Use the GoodCar VIN Lookup tool and start your discovery on a wealth of information from the Toyota 17-digit VIN code.
Toyota uses the standardized NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) guidelines for cars manufactured in the United States, which assigns a specific VIN before distribution to the public. A Toyota VIN Decoder deciphers the 17-digit code for owners who may be selling or buying a used Toyota, giving them confidence in their decisions. Knowing the structure of an automobile’s VIN can provide invaluable information for insurance, prospective buyers, or after an accident.
Toyota’s VIN carries the same structure as any other vehicle manufactured or imported to the American market. The company’s VIN starts with the numbers 1,4, or 5, indicating the vehicle was assembled in the United States. A Toyota VIN starting with two indicates an assembly location in Canada, and VINs beginning with three are assembled in Mexico. A VIN starting with the letter J means the Toyota was manufactured and assembled in Japan.
Deciphering a Toyota VIN
Toyota uses the standardized outline of a 17-digit alphanumeric code handed down by the NHTSA in 1981. The VIN is divided into three sections, each providing specific information about the vehicle.
- 1
- F
- T
- 8
- W
- B
- A
- T
- B
- 8
- U
- c
- 3
- 8
- 8
- 9
Where Can I Find the VIN on My Toyota?
- On a metal plate located at the lower right corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side.
- The certification label is inside the driver’s side door jam, and in some Toyota models, the VIN may be stamped under the driver’s seat.
- The VIN plate on the firewall inside the engine compartment.
Popular Toyota Models
For the twelfth year in a row, the Camry reigns as the best-selling vehicle in the United States. For any prospective buyer of any age, the Camry is a dependable and stylish sedan. Toyota provides plenty of engine sizes and options to please the most discerning buyer. A strong safety rating contributes to its appeal.
A Toyota 4-Runner is one of the best-looking and reliable SUVs on the market. It has held nearly 60% of its value and has steadily increased in sales since 1984. The average lifespan of a 4-Runner is 225,000 to 250,000 miles and more and Toyota offers the SUV with a wide array of options and styling.
There is no more stylish and well-appointed truck on the market today than the Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma is far and away the best-selling mid-size truck on the market, with nearly 240,000 models sold each year; by comparison, GM sold about 120,000 trucks last year. The Tacoma is offered in Crew Cab and Extended Cab models with several trim levels for each.
Quality VIN lookup tools such as the decoder from GoodCar can provide a wealth of information the manufacturers provide about their vehicles. The GoodCar VIN Decoder tool gives prospective Toyota owners accurate information about the vehicle straight from the manufacturer.
If prospective owners want to find out as much information as possible on a particular vehicle. A history report on your Toyota reveals a timeline of every action on the vehicle from when it was first titled to its current owner. Toyota VIN reports reveal a snapshot of the vehicle’s history and potential defects; they do not provide the entire story, such as an owner changing the oil every three thousand miles.
Toyota VIN Lookup
The data a prospective owner receives from a quality history report impacts your car’s value, safety, and reliability. Reports show who owned the car, from the dealer to a private party, and so on. The sale date or transfer time will show on the report whenever the title changes hands. Also, mileage is recorded each time the vehicle enters a mechanics shop or dealer lane or changes hands.
If there are any title issues, such as salvage, or rebranded title, they will appear on the history report. Salvage titles point to a complete loss of value to the vehicle; insurance companies make this determination, which may be due to significant damage. A branded title points to specific events in the vehicle's history.
GoodCar History reports give a more detailed description of your vehicle as it left the showroom, along with optional equipment, fuel economy, and OEM options. One of the most important aspects of a history report is revealing whether the car is a Lemon. A lemon car means the vehicle has substantial problems that a dealer cannot repair after repeated attempts. As a result, the manufacturer is required to repurchase the car or refund the total.
With a GoodCar Recall Lookup, VIN numbers can be used to access Toyota recall alerts. Type your 17-digit code into the application to see the urgency of any recalls or service bulletins. The GoodCar tool is free to use and provides excellent, actionable information.
Toyota Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Toyota has not escaped the rash of product recalls, which other brands are dealing with. Use the GoodCar VIN Recall alerts to find the most current recall information on a Toyota.
- A voluntary Toyota recall was conducted for the 2022 to 2024 Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus LX600 models involving nearly 280,000 SUVs and trucks. If the vehicle is shifted into a neutral position, certain parts of the transmission may not engage. If this happens, the vehicle will creep forward at a meager speed, increasing the chance of a crash.
- One of the most recent and dangerous recalls in 2023 involved over one million vehicles whose airbags were not deploying correctly or at all. Again, head to the Toyota database and enter your 17-digit code to see if your vehicle is affected. Over 15 Toyota models are affected, including certain 2020-2021 Camry, Rav 4, Sienna, Lexus RX 350, and ER 350. The sensor that detects if someone is in a seat may short circuit.
- Toyota is recalling over 750 thousand 2020-2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrids. An impact to the front bumper causes the cover to come loose or detach. Detached bumpers and other parts become a road hazard to other drivers. The dealer will repair the defect free of charge.
- The largest recall in Toyota's history involved 3.8 million vehicles in 2009. Accelerator pedals could become trapped under floor mats, causing the vehicle to increase its speed dangerously and making it difficult to stop. To fix the issue, Toyota engineers redesigned the floor pedal, replaced the floor mats with a thinner style, and installed a brake override system. A second recall was announced in 2010 with the same problem: 2.3 million vehicles were involved.
Toyota is a global brand selling its vehicles in 170 countries. Toyota has begun its push into electric vehicles and the American market. The company announced a $1.3 billion investment into its flagship Kentucky facility, which will lead its electrification efforts.