NHTSA Database · Connected / Model Years 1981 — Present

Nissan VIN Decoder.
Check every recall.

Enter any Nissan 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 Nissan Models
Cost: $0.00

Querying vehicle catalog…

Nissan VIN Guide

Reading A Nissan VIN

Nissan'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 the country of assembly. JN1 and JN8 mark Japan-built Nissans, 1N4 and 1N6 mark US-built cars and trucks from Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi, and 5N1 marks a US-built SUV, also from Smyrna. Mexico-built Nissans (Aguascalientes) carry a 3N1 or 3N6 WMI.

Code	Meaning
JN1 / JN8	Japan-built Nissan (car / SUV)
1N4 / 1N6	US-built Nissan car/truck (Smyrna, TN & Canton, MS)
5N1	US-built Nissan SUV (Smyrna, Tennessee)
3N1 / 3N6	Mexico-built Nissan (Aguascalientes)

Engine and powertrain code (positions 4–8)

This is what confirms whether an Altima or Rogue listing's claimed CVT generation and engine actually match the VIN. The live decode above resolves this correctly against the actual model year.

Model year and plant (positions 10–11)

Nissan's major US plants are Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi, alongside Aguascalientes, Mexico. Position 11 resolves the exact plant for any VIN decoded above.

Coverage

Nissan Models You Can Decode

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

AltimaSentraRoguePathfinderFrontierTitanMuranoKicksAriya

Safety

What The Recall Check Catches

Nissan'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

Nissan VIN Questions

What does 1N4 mean on a Nissan VIN?

1N4 identifies a US-built Nissan passenger car, typically from Smyrna, Tennessee or Canton, Mississippi. JN1 marks a Japan-built Nissan, and 5N1 marks a US-built Nissan SUV.

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

No. This tool is independent and not affiliated with Nissan Motor Co. 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 Nissan 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 Nissan?

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.

Nissan VIN Decoder.Check every recall.