A vehicle identification number, or VIN, is a special identification number that is specific to each Dodge vehicle (VIN). It is written on the car itself and consists of 17 letters and numbers. To identify and track a certain car, a variety of entities including Dodge, car dealerships, and insurance firms utilize this code. To find out more about the details that are stored in the VIN, such as the make and model of the car, its manufacturing history, and other details, you can use a device known as a VIN decoder. This can aid in your comprehension of your specific Dodge. Fun fact: Dodge is an American car company that was founded in 1900. They make a variety of vehicles like sedans, SUVs, and trucks that are popular in the United States.
Contents
By John Devn
our car expert2 minutes read
Updated 2023-04-03
Excellent
Based on 50 reviews
The position of the VIN, which serves as a unique identifier for a specific car, can be found in various places, such as:
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), also known as WMI, is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a Dodge vehicle. It is typically the first three characters found in a VIN and helps to determine the country of origin, manufacturer, and type of vehicle. Here are some examples of WMI codes for Dodge vehicles:
| WMI code | Company | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1B3, 1B4, 1B6 | CHRYSLER (USA) | USA | 2009-11-19 |
| 1C8 | STEYR (A) FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES | Austria | 2009-11-19 |
| 1D3, 1D4, 1D8 | CHRYSLER (USA) | USA | 2009-11-19 |
| 2B3, 2D4 | CHRYSLER (CAN) | Canada | 2009-11-19 |
| 3B7 | CHRYSLER (MEX) | Mexico | 2011-01-17 |
| 3D4, 3D7 | CHRYSLER (MEX) | Mexico | 2009-11-19 |
| 4D5 | CHRYSLER (USA) | USA | 2009-11-19 |
| SDE, SDG | Rebault VI United Kingsom Ltd. (UK) FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES | United Kingdom | 2009-11-19 |
| WD0 | DAIMLER AG (D) FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES | Germany | Sprinter 2012-09-05 |
| WDX | Daimler AG (D) FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES | Germany | Dodge Trans |
A VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section) is a portion of the VIN that supplies specific details about the vehicle model, body style, engine type, and transmission. It typically comprises of six to seven characters, which can be used to identify the vehicle's original configuration and verify any modifications.
A VIS (Vehicle Identification Section) is another part of the VIN, it also supplies specific information about the vehicle such as model, body style, engine type and transmission. The VIS typically comprises of six to eight characters, which can be used to identify the vehicle's features, factory of production, build sequence and production year.
A tool for looking up a vehicle's VIN can provide various pieces of information, including:
The VIN number "2B6HB11Y9YK104170" belongs to a 2000 Dodge Ram Van 1500 Swb.
Using this breakdown of the VIN, we can determine that this is a 2000 Dodge Ram Van 1500 Swb manufactured in Windsor, Ontario by FCA Canada Inc.
A vehicle history report (VHR) can offer additional details about a car's past, including:
Reliability. RepairPal gives Dodge a 3.5/5.0 reliability rating, ranking it 19th out of 32 car brands. Average annual repair cost is $634 (slightly below the $652 all-model average), but severity is above average: a 15% probability of a major repair versus a 12% industry norm. In contrast, Dodge achieved an above-average ranking in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study — one of its best-ever results in that study — placing behind Jeep but ahead of many mainstream brands. Consumer Reports does not include Dodge in its regular brand reliability rankings due to insufficient survey data on current models. Reliability varies widely by model: the Durango with the 5.7L HEMI is generally regarded as more durable than the base V6 Journey, which is widely considered outdated and below-average for its class. Source: repairpal.com
Resale value. Depreciation varies significantly by model. According to iSeeCars, the last-generation Dodge Charger (ICE V8) depreciates approximately 40.4% over five years, slightly better than the large-car segment average of 44.2%. The Dodge Challenger depreciates around 36.8% over five years per iSeeCars, better than average for its segment. High-performance trims (Hellcat, Scat Pack) may retain value better than base V6 variants due to collector interest, though this is not guaranteed. The new electric Dodge Charger (EV coupe) shows steeper early depreciation. Source: iseecars.com
Theft risk. Dodge Charger and Challenger V8 models are among the most-stolen vehicles in the United States by a wide margin. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat had… Source: iihs.org
Most-reported problems on used Dodges
Notable safety recalls (NHTSA)
Confirm open recalls free by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Sources: NHTSA, plus the reliability and resale data linked above.
There are several reasons why this may be a possibility, including:
NHTSA
SafeCar
NMVTIS