Referred to as a Vehicle Identification Number, each Ram vehicle is assigned a unique 17-digit identification code (VIN). This code, consisting of characters and digits, can be found on the actual vehicle. It is used by various businesses, including Ram, car dealerships, and insurance companies, to identify and track a specific vehicle. By utilizing a RAM VIN decoder, you can learn more about the information encoded in the VIN of your Ram, such as the brand and model of the vehicle, its production history, and other details. Doing so will help you better understand your specific Ram. Fun fact: Ram is a brand of trucks and commercial vehicles that was established in 1909 as the Dodge Brothers Company and is now a division of the American car company FCA US LLC.
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By John Devn
our car expert2 minutes read
Updated 2023-04-03
Excellent
Based on 50 reviews
Location of the VIN number
A unique code called the vehicle identification number (VIN) is used to identify a specific car. It can be found in various places, including:
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), also known as WMI, is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. It usually represents the first three characters of the VIN and helps identify the country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For Ram vehicles, the WMI code is "1C" as the first characters of the VIN indicate that the vehicle was manufactured by Chrysler in the United States.
The Vehicle Description Section (VDS) is a section of the VIN that provides specific information about the vehicle model, body design, propulsion system, and transmission. It typically consists of six to seven characters, which can be used to identify the vehicle's original configuration and check for any alterations.
The Vehicle Identification Section (VIS) is another part of the VIN that provides specific information about the vehicle, such as the model, body design, propulsion system, and transmission. The VIS typically consists of six to eight characters, which can be used to identify the vehicle's features, place of assembly, production sequence, and model year.
A VIN decoder tool can provide various information about a vehicle, such as:
The VIN number "3D7UT2HL4BG560451" belongs to a 2011 Ram 2500 (Laramie Longhorn Edition) Pickup truck.
Using this breakdown of the VIN, we can determine that this is a 2011 Ram 2500 (Laramie Longhorn Edition) Pickup truck with Displacement CC: 6700.0. It was manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca.
Alternatively referred to as a VHR, a vehicle history report can provide supplementary information about a vehicle's past, such as:
Reliability. RepairPal rates the Ram 1500 3.5 out of 5.0 (Above Average), ranking it 1st out of 17 full-size trucks, with an average annual repair cost of $691 and an unscheduled shop visit frequency of 0.2 times per year — below the fullsize-truck average of 0.3. The Ram 1500 won the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Initial Quality Study Full-size Light-Duty Pickup class (Ram was #1 overall brand), the only truck-exclusive marque to top the industry ranking. Consumer Reports reliability verdicts vary: the 2024 Ram 1500 scores 'about average' compared to same-year vehicles, and some earlier model years (e.g., 2019–2022) have scored below average in CR surveys. Long-term reliability differs from initial quality — IQS measures problems in the first 90 days of ownership, not multi-year durability. Source: repairpal.com
Resale value. According to iSeeCars analysis of over 3 million vehicles, the Ram 1500 ranks #2 among full-size trucks for best 5-year resale value, retaining 62.2% of its original value (average price $36,093 for a 5-year-old model), which is 0.5% above the full-size truck average of 61.7%. KBB projects a 2025 Ram 1500 Crew Cab will depreciate approximately $24,419 over 5 years, leaving a residual value around $20,701. Heavy-duty models retain value even better: iSeeCars shows the Ram 3500 retaining 82.6% and the Ram 2500 retaining 77.4% after 5 years. Source: iseecars.com
Theft risk. Ram pickup trucks are a notable theft target. According to HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute) analysis of 2022–24 model years, the Ram 1500 crew cab short-wheelbase 4WD has a relative theft claim… Source: iihs.org
Most-reported problems on used Rams
Notable safety recalls (NHTSA)
Confirm open recalls free by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Sources: NHTSA, plus the reliability and resale data linked above.
This could occur for a number of reasons, including:
The following steps can be taken if you discover that the VIN of a vehicle is missing:
NHTSA
SafeCar
NMVTIS