Description and Operation
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The official VIN for registration purposes is stamped on the right-hand side of the cowl top within the engine compartment.
The vehicle identification number is also located on the VIN plate which is positioned within the engine compartment on the front body crossmember.
The visible VIN (label) is fastened to the instrument panel. It is positioned close to the windshield glass on the left-hand side of the vehicle and is visible from the outside.
Vehicle Identification Number
1
-
VIN Position 1, 2 and 3 — World manufacturer identifier
2
-
VIN Position 5 — Manufacturer designation
3
-
VIN Position 6 and 7 — Line, series, body type
4
-
VIN Position 9 — Check digit
5
-
VIN Position 10 — Vehicle model year
6
-
VIN Position 12 to 17 — Production sequence number
7
-
VIN Position 11 — Assembly plant
8
-
VIN Position 8 — Engine type
9
-
VIN Position 4 — Restraint system type
VIN Positions 1, 2 and 3 — World Manufacturer Identifier
| Codes | Manufacturer |
|---|
| 1ZW |
Ford Motor Company, USA |
| SFA |
Ford Motor Company Limited, United Kingdom |
| WF0 |
Ford Werke A.G. Germany (European vehicles) |
| WF1 |
Ford Werke A.G. Germany (Federal vehicles) |
| UN1 |
Henry Ford and Son Limited, Ireland |
| XLL |
NV Netherland Ford, Netherlands |
| VS6 |
Ford Espana SA Spain |
| TW2 |
Ford Lusitana |
| 9BF |
Ford Brazil |
VIN Position 4 — Restraint System Type
| VIN Code | Description |
|---|
| F |
Active belts (all positions) and air bags (driver and passenger) |
| H |
Active belts (all positions) and front and side air bags (driver and passenger) |
VIN Position 5 — Manufacturer Designation
| Code | Vehicle | |
|---|
| T |
Passenger car |
All passenger cars imported from outside North America or non - Ford built passenger cars marketed by Ford in North America |
VIN Position 6 and 7 — Line, Series, Body Type
| VIN Code | Line | Series | Additional Optional Exterior Nameplates | Body Type | Body Code |
|---|
| 60 |
Cougar |
14 |
– |
3-door |
BC |
| 61 |
Cougar |
V6 |
– |
3-door |
BC |
| 62 |
Cougar |
V6 High output |
– |
3-door |
BC |
VIN Position 8 — Engine Type
| VIN Code | Displacement Liters | Displacement CID | Cylinders | Fuel | Manufacturer |
|---|
| T |
2.0 |
122 |
4 |
Gasoline |
Ford |
| L |
2.5 |
153 |
6 |
Gasoline |
Ford |
| G |
2.5 |
– |
6 |
Gasoline |
Ford |
VIN Position 9 — Check Digit
VIN Position 10 — Vehicle Model Year
| VIN Code | Year |
|---|
| W |
1998 |
| X |
1999 |
| Y |
2000 |
| 1 |
2001 |
| 2 |
2002 |
| 3 |
2003 |
| 4 |
2004 |
| 5 |
2005 |
VIN Position 11 — Assembly Plant
| VIN Code | Plant Location |
|---|
| A |
Atlanta: Hapeville, Georgia |
| B |
Oakville: Oakville, Ontario |
| D |
Ohio: Avon Lake, Ohio |
| F |
Dearborn: Dearborn, Michigan |
| G |
Chicago: Chicago, Illinois |
| H |
Lorain: Lorain, Ohio |
| J |
IMMSA: Monterrey, Mexico |
| K |
Kansas City: Claycomo, Missouri |
| N |
Norfolk: Norfolk, Virginia |
| P |
Twin Cities: St. Paul, Minnesota |
| R |
Hermosillo: Hermosillo, Mexico |
| T |
Edison: Edison, New Jersey |
| U |
Louisville: Louisville, Kentucky |
| W |
Wayne: Wayne, Michigan |
| X |
St. Thomas: Talbotville, Ontario |
| Y |
Wixom: Wixom, Michigan |
| Z |
St Louis: Hazlewood, Missouri |
| 5 |
AAI: Flat Rock, Michigan |
| 6 |
Mazda - Kia: Kyrung Ki - Do, Korea |
VIN Position 12 through 17 — Production Sequence Number
| Sequence Number |
|---|
| 100,001 through 599,999 - Ford Division vehicles |
| 600,001 through 999,999 - Lincoln and Mercury Division vehicles |
Vehicle Certification (VC) Number
The vehicle certification label contains a 17 character vehicle identification number. This number is used for warranty identification of the vehicle.
Vehicle Certification Label
1
-
National or EC approval number
2
-
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
3
-
Technical permissible maximum mass (GVM)
4
-
Maximum mass of combination (GTM)
5
-
Maximum permissible front axle mass
6
-
Maximum permissible rear axle mass
13
-
Transaxle find drive ratio
Vehicle Certification Label Description
| Item | Description |
|---|
| Item 1: National or EC approval numbers |
A unique code required by legislation in certain territories |
| Item 2: Vehicle identification number |
Vehicle identification number location |
| Item 3: Gross vehicle mass |
Indicates maximum legal laden mass for territories where this is required |
| Item 4: Gross train mass |
Indicates maximum combined of vehicle and trailer or caravan |
| Item 5: Permitted front axle mass |
Maximum permissible load on the front axle of the vehicle |
| Item 6: Permitted rear axle mass |
Maximum permissible load on the rear axle of the vehicle |
| Item 7 and 8: Version and variant |
Provision for local codes required by certain territories |
Item 9: Type
| Code | Series | Body Type | Body Code |
|---|
| D |
20 |
3-door |
BC |
| G |
30 |
3-door |
BC |
| H |
50 (ST200) |
3-door |
BC |
Item 10: Emission Code
| Code | Exhaust Emission Level |
|---|
| 1 |
96 EEC car requirements (stage II) |
| 2 |
2000 EEC |
| 3 |
D3 emission level |
| 4 |
D4/E4 emission level |
Item 11: Body Colour Codes
| Code | Color |
|---|
| AA |
Rio red |
| BA |
Laser red tint |
| CA |
Dark tourmaline |
| DA |
White |
| EA |
Ebony |
| FA |
Silver frost |
| GA |
Ash gold |
| HA |
Sierra brown |
| JA |
Bright amber metallic |
| KA |
Medium toreador |
| LA |
Medium melina blue |
| MA |
Spruce green |
| NA |
Citrus gold |
| PA |
Light sapphire blue |
| SA |
Light blue metallic |
Item 12: Interior Trim
| Code | Trim | Color |
|---|
| A |
Leather |
Midnight black |
Item 13: Transaxle Final Drive Ratio
| Axle Ratio | Transmission |
|---|
| 3.93 |
CD4E |
| 3.77 |
CD4E |
| 3.82 |
MTX75 |
Item 14: Transaxle Code
| Code | Type |
|---|
| Q |
5 Speed Manual (MTX75) |
| 6 |
4 Speed CD4E Automatic |
Item 15: Engine
| Code | Engine |
|---|
| B |
Zetec 2.0L DOHC EFI |
| L |
Duratec |
| S |
2.5L DOHC V6 |
| T |
2.5L V6 200 PS |
Item 16: Hand of Drive
| Code | Hand of drive |
|---|
| 1 or A |
Left-hand drive |
| 2 or B |
Right-hand drive |
