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Ford VIN decoder

Ford Motor Company, based in Dearborn, Michigan, sells one car in the US today, the Mustang, alongside SUVs (Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Expedition and the Mustang Mach-E), the Maverick, Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty pickups, and Transit vans. Lincoln is its luxury brand, and Mercury was a third brand until 2011.

Decode a Ford VIN

Enter all 17 characters to see the build details NHTSA holds and the recalls for that model year.

  • 161 model pages
  • 1,229 recall campaigns
  • 264,805 owner complaints
  • model years 1995–2027
  • 28 WMI codes in vPIC
  • origin: United States

Ford at a glance

NHTSA data
Ford: key facts from NHTSA data
Country of originUnited States
RegionNorth America
NHTSA recall and complaint dataYes, model years 1995–2027
WMI codes in NHTSA vPIC28
Model pages161
Other model names in NHTSA data37
Vehicle recall campaigns1,229
Owner complaints264,805
Complaints reporting a crash12,182 (4.6%)
Complaints reporting a fire6,672 (2.5%)
Complaints reporting an injury8,137 (3.1%)
Complaints reporting a death414 (0.2%)
Data updatedSeptember 25, 2026

About Ford VINs

Ford's own plant list shows where the main North American models come from. The F-150 is built at Dearborn Truck in Michigan and Kansas City Assembly in Claycomo, Missouri. Super Duty pickups and the Expedition come from Kentucky Truck in Louisville, the Explorer from Chicago, the Bronco and Ranger from Michigan Assembly in Wayne, and the Mustang from Flat Rock, Michigan. In Mexico, Hermosillo builds the Bronco Sport and Maverick and Cuautitlan builds the Mach-E. Ford's 2027 VIN filing also lists Oakville, Ontario as a plant.

Every Ford from model year 1981 onward has a 17-character VIN. Ford files a VIN attachment with NHTSA for each model year that explains every position, and NHTSA's vPIC database usually decodes North American Fords in detail, including engine, body or cab style and plant. For Ford's other brands, see Lincoln and Mercury.

NHTSA’s files hold 1,229 vehicle recall campaigns and 264,805 owner complaints for Ford vehicles from model years 1995 to 2027, summarised here on 161 model pages. The F-150 has the most complaints (35,790), followed by the Explorer (31,089) and the Escape (27,343). Of those complaints, 12,182 report a crash, 6,672 a fire, 8,137 at least one injury and 414 at least one death; the figures count complaints, not people.

Ford WMI codes

Source: NHTSA vPIC · 28 codes

The World Manufacturer Identifier is the first three characters of the VIN. NHTSA’s vPIC database decodes 28 WMIs to Ford; this is the complete list, with the manufacturer name, country and vehicle type vPIC records for each.

Ford WMIs in NHTSA vPIC (first 10 of 28)
Ford WMIs in NHTSA vPIC (first 10 of 28)
WMIManufacturer (vPIC)CountryVehicle type
1F1FORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
1F7FORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesPassenger Car
1FAFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesPassenger Car
1FBFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesBus
1FCFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesIncomplete Vehicle
1FDFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesIncomplete Vehicle
1FMFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
1FTFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesTruck
2FAFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.CanadaPassenger Car
2FBFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.United StatesBus
Show the other 18 WMIs
Ford WMIs in NHTSA vPIC, continued (18 more)
Ford WMIs in NHTSA vPIC, continued (18 more)
WMIManufacturer (vPIC)CountryVehicle type
2FCFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.CanadaIncomplete Vehicle
2FDFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.CanadaIncomplete Vehicle
2FMFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.CanadaMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
2FTFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.CanadaTruck
3FAFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoPassenger Car
3FBFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoBus
3FCFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoIncomplete Vehicle
3FDFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoIncomplete Vehicle
3FEFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoIncomplete Vehicle
3FMFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
3FTFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoTruck
5LDFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesIncomplete Vehicle
9BFFORD MOTOR COMPANY BRASIL LTDA.BrazilTruck
JC2MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONJapanTruck
KNJKIA MOTORS (FORD IMPORTS)South KoreaPassenger Car
MAJFORD INDIA LTDIndiaMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
NM0FORD OTOMOTIV SANAYI A.S., TURKEYTurkeyTruck
WF0FORD WERKE AGGermanyPassenger Car

See the WMI code guide for how the codes are assigned.

Ford models in NHTSA data

161 model pages · by complaints

Each model page lists NHTSA’s recall campaigns and owner complaints for that model name, by model year and component. Models are sorted by complaints; the data covers model years 1995–2027.

Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints (30 of 161)
Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints (30 of 161)
ModelModel yearsRecall campaignsComplaints
F-1501995–202715835,790
Explorer1995–202713131,089
Escape2000–20269527,343
Fusion2006–20204622,383
Focus1999–20183622,086
Windstar1995–20053314,108
Edge2004–20244314,009
Taurus1995–20195212,702
Expedition1995–2027769,327
Mustang1995–2026718,195
Ranger1995–2026747,065
F-250 SD1995–2026676,505
F-2501995–2022483,775
Freestyle2002–200723,665
F-350 SD1995–2026773,633
Fiesta2001–2019123,166
Contour1995–2001223,140
F-3501995–2020472,579
Freestar2004–200752,533
Escort1995–200372,233
Crown Victoria1995–2011312,075
Flex2009–2019141,919
Ecosport2005–202261,852
Escape Hybrid2005–202521,739
Bronco Sport2021–2026321,356
Five Hundred2004–200731,278
Fusion Hybrid2010–202021,197
Excursion1997–2010111,146
Bronco1995–2026511,141
E-3501995–2027100921
Show 131 more Ford models
Other Ford models in NHTSA data, by complaints (131)
Other Ford models in NHTSA data, by complaints (131)
ModelModel yearsRecall campaignsComplaints
Maverick Hybrid2022–20261859
Thunderbird1995–20055855
Transit2001–202765781
Explorer Sport1997–20055731
Explorer Sport Trac1997–20107720
E-1501995–202344694
Mustang GT1996–20061694
Mustang Mach-E2021–202622661
F-150 Hybrid2021–20262618
Transit Connect2010–202331569
Econoline1995–202618485
F-550 SD1995–202670465
F-450 SD1995–202683445
E-4501995–202752414
F-Super Duty1995–200810379
C-Max2013–201812366
Aerostar1995–20008341
Maverick2022–202645331
Fusion Energi2012–20202309
F Series1995–20081280
E-2501995–202373266
F-150 Lightning BEV2022–202615238
Truck1995–2003–225
Focus Electric2012–20174181
F-531995–202618173
Probe1995–19992166
Taurus X2008–20091164
Aspire1995–1997–157
C-Max Hybrid2013–20152137
C-Max Energi2013–20171137
CVPI1995–20053133
Escape PHEV2020–20262123
Mustang Convertible1995–2003–123
F-4502003–202014116
Motor Home1995–2003–114
Club Wagon1995–2001299
F-5502007–20202394
Taurus SHO1995–1999294
E-5501995–2006475
E-Series1995–2008874
ZX2 (Escort)1998–2003–66
Escape HEV2005–2007164
F Series (Light)1995–2002–51
Super Duty1995–2010–51
F-650 SD2004–20262944
Explorer Police Interceptor2015–2022442
Pickup1997–2000–39
Supercrew2001136
LCF 450 Series2006–2007–33
F-6501999–20221532
Police Interceptor Sedan2013–2017332
Police Interceptor Utility2012–2017332
Focus SVT2002132
Ranger EV1998–2001228
Mustang Cobra1997–2000125
F-592011–20261515
GT2004–2018815
F-8001995–1998615
F-350 Super Duty2009–2014315
Taurus Police Interceptor2013–2015113
F-7501999–20222112
Explorer Hybrid2020–2027312
B8001995–1998110
Supercab1999–200129
F-600 SD2020–2026117
F-7001995–199867
Aeromax1995–199837
F-750 SD2007–2025166
F-450 Super Duty2009–201433
Louisville1996–199842
LCF2006–200732
F-600199522
7000200012
Explorer Intercept Hybrid2020–202112
Heavy Duty1999–200012
LN80001995–199712
LNT80001995–199712
B7001995–199721
AT9513199811
AT9522199811
F-650 Roush Propane2015–201711
L8501199811
E-Transit2022–20263–
F-550 Super Duty2009–20143–
Odyssey LT20093–
B60019952–
F-650 Incomplete Chassis20242–
FT90019952–
Van20062–
Van Terra2007–20102–
800020001–
A951319981–
E-350 Allstar2005–20071–
E-350 Cutaway2004–20071–
E-350 Starlite2005–20071–
E-350 Van2004–20071–
E-450 Allstar2005–20071–
E-450 Cutaway2004–20071–
E-450 Roush Propane2015–20171–
E-Transit Chassis2024–20251–
Econoline 35020061–
Explorer PHEV2020–20221–
F-350 Cutaway20081–
F-450 Classic Traveler1998–20061–
F-450 Cutaway20081–
F-550 Classic Traveler1998–20061–
F-550 Cutaway20081–
F-750 Roush Propane2015–20171–
F59 Roush Propane2015–20171–
Freestar Conversion2004–20061–
L800019951–
L850019971–
L900019951–
LA900019951–
Limo Coach2001–20051–
LL900019951–
LN700019951–
LS800019951–
LT800019951–
LTA900019951–
LTL900019951–
LTS800019951–
MPV2001–20061–
MPV Bus2001–20051–
Mustang Cobra R20001–
Mustang GTD2025–20261–
Odyssey MPV2009–20111–
Odyssey XL20041–
P80019951–
Terra Transit2000–20061–
USPS Stripped Chassis20011–

– means NHTSA has no records of that kind under the model name.

Other Ford models in NHTSA data

NHTSA also lists these Ford model names, but with no recall campaign and fewer than 25 complaints each, so they have no page of their own: B Series, Bronco II, C Series, Cab Chassis, Cargo, CF Series, E Series Super Duty, Ecostar, F Series (Heavy), F Series (Medium), F-100, F-530, F-Super Duty Chassis, F47, F460, Focus RS, GT500, L Series, Lariat, LCF 550 Series, LN Series, LTD, LTL Series, Medium Duty, Ranger Electric, Ranger J97, School Bus, SHO (Taurus), Stripped Chassis, Super Duty F, Super Duty F Series, Tempo, Transit T-350 HD, Triton, Utility Van XH, V184, XL.

How to read a Ford VIN

VIN notes

Which WMI codes start a Ford VIN?

Ford's WMI shows where the vehicle was built and what type it is: A for passenger cars, T for trucks, M for MPVs and D for incomplete vehicles in the most common codes. These are verified in NHTSA vPIC:

Common Ford WMIs, as listed by NHTSA vPIC.
Common Ford WMIs, as listed by NHTSA vPIC.
WMIManufacturer (NHTSA vPIC)CountryVehicle type
1FAFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesPassenger car
1FTFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesTruck
1FMFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesMPV
1FDFORD MOTOR COMPANYUnited StatesIncomplete vehicle
2FMFORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.CanadaMPV
3FMFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoMPV
3FTFORD MOTOR COMPANY, MEXICOMexicoTruck
NM0FORD OTOMOTIV SANAYI A.S., TURKEYTurkeyTruck
WF0FORD WERKE AGGermanyPassenger car

What do positions 4 to 8 mean on a Ford VIN?

Ford's 2027 VIN attachment, filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 565, defines the positions this way:

  • Position 4: restraint system category; on trucks, MPVs and buses it also encodes the brake system and GVWR class
  • Positions 5 to 7: make, line, series and body type (on trucks also chassis, cab type and vehicle type)
  • Position 8: engine, including displacement, cylinders, fuel and engine manufacturer
  • Position 9: check digit; position 10: model year, V for 2027
  • Positions 12 to 17: sequence number; Ford division trucks and MPVs use A00001 to J99999, Lincoln uses L00001 to L99999

What does position 11 tell you about a Ford?

Selected assembly plant codes (position 11) from Ford's 2027 VIN attachment, NHTSA Manufacturer Information Database file ORG26817.
Selected assembly plant codes (position 11) from Ford's 2027 VIN attachment, NHTSA Manufacturer Information Database file ORG26817.
Position 11Assembly plant
BOakville, Ontario
DOhio Assembly, Avon Lake, Ohio
EKentucky Truck, Louisville, Kentucky
FDearborn, Michigan
GChicago, Illinois
KKansas City, Claycomo, Missouri
LMichigan Assembly, Wayne, Michigan
MCuautitlan, Mexico
RHermosillo, Mexico
ULouisville Assembly, Louisville, Kentucky
5Flat Rock, Michigan

Ford VIN questions

4 questions

How can I tell which plant built my F-150?

Check position 11. In Ford's plant codes, F is Dearborn, Michigan and K is Kansas City Assembly in Claycomo, Missouri, the two plants Ford lists for the F-150. The decoder shows the plant NHTSA's vPIC returns for your VIN.

What does 1FT mean at the start of a Ford VIN?

1FT is the WMI for trucks built by Ford Motor Company in the United States, such as F-Series pickups. 1FM marks US-built MPVs like the Explorer and 1FA US-built passenger cars.

Can I check Ford recalls by VIN here?

The decoder lists recalls NHTSA has issued for your Ford's make, model and model year, using NHTSA's public data for US-market vehicles. For the open-recall status of one VIN, use NHTSA's VIN search or a Ford dealer. See recalls.

Does a Ford VIN decode show accidents or previous owners?

No. A decode shows factory data such as plant, model year, body and engine. Accident, title and ownership records come from state agencies and licensed history providers, which this site does not connect to.

Related brands

(n) = model pages · (—) = no U.S. data

Brands mentioned in the notes above, then other North American brands, each with its own VIN notes and WMI list.

  • Lincoln (22) United States · 265 recall campaigns
  • Mercury (15) United States · 132 recall campaigns
  • Buick (20) United States · 170 recall campaigns
  • Cadillac (33) United States · 197 recall campaigns
  • Chevrolet (172) United States · 751 recall campaigns
  • Chrysler (37) United States · 208 recall campaigns

All 59 brands »

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files and NHTSA vPIC, updated September 25, 2026.