NHTSA Database · Connected / Model Years 1981 — Present

Chevrolet VIN Decoder.
Check every recall.

Enter any Chevrolet VIN. Get the full factory build specification and every open NHTSA safety recall, free.

VIN Diagnostic Terminal

Vehicle Identification Number17 CHAR

00 / 17

Data Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recall Registry: Live
Coverage: All Chevrolet Models
Cost: $0.00

Querying vehicle catalog…

Chevrolet VIN Guide

Reading A Chevrolet VIN

Chevrolet's VIN follows the same 17-character ISO standard as every other manufacturer, but the first few characters split out by division and country in a way that's worth knowing before you buy.

World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1–3)

The first character marks GM's general World Manufacturer Identifier (1G for a US-built General Motors vehicle), and the third character narrows it to the Chevrolet division specifically. A VIN starting with 1G1 is a US-built Chevrolet passenger car, 1GC a US-built Chevrolet truck, and 1GN a US-built Chevrolet SUV. Two Silverados from the same model year can carry different WMIs depending on whether they came from Fort Wayne, Indiana or Silao, Mexico — both meet the same Chevrolet build spec.

Code	Meaning
1G1	US-built Chevrolet passenger car (Malibu, Camaro, Corvette)
1GC	US-built Chevrolet truck (Silverado, Colorado)
1GN	US-built Chevrolet SUV (Tahoe, Suburban, Traverse)
2GC / 2GT	Canada-built Chevrolet
3GC / 3GN	Mexico-built Chevrolet (Silao, Guanajuato)

Engine code (position 8)

Position 8 separates Chevrolet's engine families — the difference between a base four-cylinder Equinox and a V8 Silverado, or a naturally aspirated Camaro and a supercharged one. The live decode above always resolves this against the correct model year.

Model year and plant (positions 10–11)

Chevrolet has built vehicles at plants including Fort Wayne, Wentzville, Arlington, Spring Hill, Bowling Green (Corvette) and Silao, Mexico. Position 11 resolves the exact plant for any VIN you decode above.

Coverage

Chevrolet Models You Can Decode

Any Chevrolet sold in the US since 1981 is covered, retail or fleet. Common models people check:

Silverado 1500Silverado HDColoradoEquinoxTahoeSuburbanTraverseMalibuCamaroCorvetteBlazerTraxTrailblazer

Safety

What The Recall Check Catches

Chevrolet's recall history spans a wide range of components over the decades. Rather than listing past campaigns here (which would go stale), the tool above queries NHTSA's live recall registry the moment you decode a VIN, so what you see is always current for that exact year, make and model.

Support

Chevrolet VIN Questions

What does 1GC mean on a Chevrolet VIN?

1GC identifies a US-built Chevrolet truck — used on the Silverado and Colorado. 1G1 marks a US-built Chevrolet passenger car, and 1GN marks a US-built Chevrolet SUV such as the Tahoe or Suburban.

Is this the same as Chevrolet's own VIN decoder?

No. This tool is independent and not affiliated with General Motors or Chevrolet. It reads the same publicly standardized VIN format and pulls factory specifications from NHTSA's public vPIC database, which covers every manufacturer sold in the US.

Does this show Chevrolet recalls?

Yes. After decoding, the tool automatically checks NHTSA's recall database for the vehicle's year, make and model and lists every open safety campaign, including the defect, risk and remedy.

Where do I find the VIN on a Chevrolet?

On the dash at the base of the windshield (visible from outside, driver's side), on the driver-door jamb sticker, and on the title and registration. Silverado and other trucks also stamp the VIN on the frame.

Chevrolet VIN Decoder.Check every recall.