GMC VIN Number Decoder

GMC offers a long lineup of vehicles – trucks, SUVs, crossovers, vans, and even EVs. Each of these vehicles has its unique identity and data that can be accessed using the GMC VIN number. Accurate vehicle specifications, features, production data, and history records can all be accessed with the right tools.

Keep reading to find out everything about the GMC VIN number!

What is a GMC VIN Number?

The GMC Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to each and every GMC during production. The code is generally 17 characters long in today’s trucks, while it may range from 5 to 14 characters in older vehicles.

With the VIN, you can receive precise information about a GMC vehicle, including the specifications, features, color, warranty, and so on. You can even analyze its history right down to the smallest detail with the VIN.

GMC VIN Number Breakdown – How to Read a GMC VIN Number

First things first, you need to note that the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o) are omitted from a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to avoid confusion with the numbers 1, 0, and 9.

For every other character in the VIN, its position determines what it represents. These characters are also grouped into three segments to make decoding easier, they are:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): This includes the first three characters and signifies the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): This section includes the 4th to 9th characters and contains information about the vehicle’s make, engine specs, model, and more.

Vehicle Identifier Section: Here, you will find the 10th to 17th characters, which encode details like the model year, manufacturing plant code, and a serial number unique to each vehicle.

What does each character mean?

1st Character: GMC Country of Origin

The first digit of the VIN indicates where your GMC was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production.

1 = United States
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico

2nd Character: Manufacturer

In GMCs, the second character represents the parent company, General Motors (GM.) You would usually find the letter “G” as the second character of GMC trucks.

3rd Character: Division

Since GM is home to Buick, Cadillac, GMC, and GMC, the third character indicates the make of the vehicle as well as its vehicle type. For example, a “K” is used for GMC SUVs.

4th & 5th Character: Platform and Series

Platform codes remain the same for all GM models, while series codes are unique to the specific brand and model of the vehicle. Some of these codes change yearly and are recycled to represent other series, so it’s best to use a VIN decoder to be sure of the vehicle’s series.

Some examples are:

EC = Sierra
FK = Yukon/Suburban
HG = Savana passenger van

6th Character: Body Type

This character indicates the body style or type of vehicle your GMC is. Here’s a list to help you check yours:

1 = SUV
3 = Truck
G = Van

If you can’t spot your vehicle’s characters here, you can try our VIN decoder for specific results.

7th Character: Safety Restraint System

This character encodes the safety equipment installed at the factory. Here are some common ones:

1 = Seat belts only
2 = Dual front airbags
3 = Driver’s airbag
4 = Front and side airbags
5 = Dual front airbags and side driver’s airbag
6 = Front and side airbags with passenger occupancy sensor
7 = Front and side airbags, including side airbags for rear seats

8th Character: Engine

The eighth character on a VIN tells the engine’s specifications. This helps to know the engine’s size, configuration, and sometimes fuel type. For example,

C = 5.3l Flex-Fuel with Active Fuel Management
G = 8.1l Vortec 8100
P = 5.3l Vortec 5300, aluminum block and heads
T = 5.3l Vortec 5300
Z = 4.3l Vortec V6, throttle body injection (TBI)

It’s a long list, and some of these characters are recycled depending on the model.

9th Character: Check Digit

This digit simply verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

10th Character: Model Year

The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters. Each letter represents a specific year; ‘W,’ for example, signifies a GMC from the 1998 model year.

Here’s a table that can help you easily identify any GMC’s model year:

Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year
A 1980 B 1981 C 1982 D 1983 E 1984 F 1985 G 1986 H 1987 J 1988 K 1989	L 1990 M 1991 N 1992 P 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999	Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009	A 2010 B 2011 C 2012 D 2013 E 2014 F 2015 G 2016 H 2017 J 2018 K 2019	L 2020 M 2021 N 2022 P 2023 R 2024 S 2025 T 2026 V 2027 W 2028 X 2029

11th Character: Assembly Plant

The eleventh character shows the vehicle’s assembly or manufacturing plant, and you would mostly find GMCs assembled in these locations represented with these characters:

R = Arlington Assembly Arlington, Texas
U = Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Hamtramck, Michigan
F = Fairfax II Kansas City, Kansas or Flint Truck Assembly Flint, Michigan
Z = Fort Wayne Assembly Roanoke, Indiana
J = Lansing Delta Township Assembly Delta Township, Michigan
0 = Lansing Grand River Assembly Lansing, Michigan
7 = Lordstown Assembly Lordstown, Ohio
4 = Orion Assembly Orion Township, Michigan
1 = Oshawa Car Assembly Oshawa, Ontario Canada
S = Ramos Arizpe Assembly Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
G = Silao Assembly Silao, Mexico
1 = Wentzville Assembly Wentzville, Missouri

12th to 17th Characters: Serial Number

These characters make up the unique sequential number of the GMC. This distinguishes it uniquely from other GMCs with the same model, trim, etc., manufactured in the same plant.

Get a GMC VIN Number Search

Where is the VIN Number on a GMC?

The VIN is a must-have if you’re buying or selling a vehicle or maybe even just doing research on a GMC. But where is the VIN found? It’s easy to spot – it’s located in a few different places, both on the vehicle and in official documents.

Here’s where to find the GMC VIN:

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield
On the driver’s side door jamb
On the engine block
On the vehicle’s firewall
In the left-hand inner wheel arch
On the steering wheel/steering column
On the radiator support bracket
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy

Simply check these spots, and you should be able to spot the VIN number without any trouble.

What Information Can I Get from a GMC VIN Lookup?

You can view information ranging from vehicle specifications to standard and optional features, build sheets, and past history records.

Here’s a glimpse of GMC specifications you can access when you decode the VIN with a VIN decoder:

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions

Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type
Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain

Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions
Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type

Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain
Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Not just that, a GMC VIN number lookup also tracks vehicle history records from when the vehicle first left the factory. Some records you can view include:

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand

Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage
Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History

Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand
Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage

Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History
Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

The details you get will depend on the provider you use, but with the right tools, you can get a complete picture of the vehicle’s life from the day it rolled off the assembly line.

View Sample GMC Window Sticker

How to Decode a GMC VIN Number?

If you have the GMC VIN handy, you can decode it with our VIN decoder instantly with just a few steps:

Enter the GMC VIN in the form above. Our tool can decode standard VINs (17 characters) and classic VINs (5 – 14 characters). You can also use the license plate number or the year, make, and model of the vehicle if you don’t have the VIN.

Click on ‘Search’ to preview your vehicle’s specifications for free.

Complete the payment process to get a detailed vehicle history report showing vehicle specifications and history records.

Using our GMC VIN decoder, you can also break down all the characters of a VIN to access the specifications and build data, whether for classic or modern vehicles.

Get a Window Sticker Get a GMC History Report

Common Uses of the GMC VIN Number

The VIN is often used for several different purposes depending on who’s using it. Some common uses of the GMC VIN number are:

Vehicle Registration

New car owners are mandated to register their GMC vehicles after purchase as driving without registration is illegal. For vehicle registration at State Bureaus or departments of motor vehicles, the VIN is required. It appears on all forms of ownership records, sales bills, titles, and any other document.

Insurance Purposes

Another common reason you would need the VIN is car insurance. When vehicle owners submit their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), insurance companies perform checks on the vehicles to ensure an appropriate price quote is determined based on the vehicle’s specifications, options, features, MSRP, and history.

Window Stickers

The VIN is very useful in generating window stickers to check any vehicle’s specifications, such as make, model, engine type, and trim. This ensures that potential buyers can verify the exact features and details of the vehicle before making a purchase.

Vehicle History Checks

In the case of most car users, the VIN plays a significant role in checking history records of any vehicle. Car buyers can easily verify theft records, ownership records, sales records, damages, accidents, salvage brands, rebuilt titles, build data, warranty coverage, and others. With a simple GMC VIN check, car buyers, sellers, and dealers are able to spot wrecked cars and make better decisions..

Police Checks

If a vehicle gets reported as stolen, the police can keep track of that vehicle using the VIN. They can even place police markers on those VINs and get alerts at checkpoints.

The police are able to monitor stolen vehicles as soon as they are reported using the VIN. In most cases, they place police markers on these VINs/vehicles to easily spot them at checkpoints.

Safety Recalls

Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are recalled every year. Using the VINs, GMC can determine which vehicle models are related to a recall and can notify owners that recall repair should be performed as soon as possible. Car buyers can also verify if any used vehicle has an outstanding recall using the VIN.

Top GMC Models You Can Lookup With a VIN Decoder

If you’ve got a GMC VIN, you can decode it to learn all about the vehicle’s specifications and features. Here are a few top GMC models you can decode with our VIN check tool:

Acadia	Yukon
Canyon	Jimmy
Envoy	Safari
Savana	Suburban
Terrain	Typhoon

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I look up my vehicle specs using the VIN number?

Yes you can look up the vehicle specifications of any GMC using the VIN number. You just need a VIN decoder to do this and our tool makes this process easy to do. Simply fill out the form on this page and submit it. You will immediately get a full list of your vehicle’s specifications, features, engine specs, safety ratings and features, options, paint color, warranty coverage, and more.

Where is the VIN number on my GMC?

You can find the GMC VIN number on any of these locations:

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield
On the driver’s side door jamb
On the engine block
On the vehicle’s firewall
In the left-hand inner wheel arch
On the steering wheel/steering column
On the radiator support bracket
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy

Can I get a build sheet from a VIN number?

Yes, you can get a GMC build sheet with our build sheet lookup tool. All you need to do is submit a form with the VIN, license plate number, or year, make, and model information, and a copy of the original build sheet will be provided instantly.

Can I look up GMC VIN for free?

You can view your vehicle’s specifications for free. This includes the year, make, model, trim, engine specs, number of doors, etc. For a detailed GMC lookup, you will have to make a payment.