Infiniti VIN Decoder Guide: How to Read Your Vehicle’s DNA
You know that 17-character code stamped on your dashboard? It’s not random—it tells the entire story of your Infiniti, from where it was born to what engine powers it.
TL;DR
Your Infiniti’s VIN is a unique fingerprint that reveals crucial details about your vehicle. The first three characters show where it was made and who built it. Characters 4-8 describe the engine, model, and body style. The 10th character tells you the model year, and the 11th reveals the assembly plant. A free VIN decode can help you verify a car’s specs before buying or order the correct parts for your current Infiniti .
Key Takeaways
- The VIN is always 17 characters for vehicles made after 1981, combining letters and numbers (never I, O, or Q) .
- First three characters (WMI) identify the manufacturer and country of origin—JN1 means built in Japan by Nissan .
- The 10th character reveals the model year—for instance, “R” means 2024, “J” is 2018, and “A” is 2010 .
- The 11th character tells you the assembly plant—”M” means the Tochigi Plant in Japan .
- Free VIN decoders can show you engine specs, body class, drive type, and safety features .
Where to Find Your Infiniti’s VIN
Here’s the thing about VINs—they’re hidden in plain sight. You just need to know where to look.
Dashboard (Most Common)
Stand outside your Infiniti and look through the windshield on the driver’s side. You’ll see a small metal plate at the base of the windshield, right where the dashboard meets the glass .
Driver’s Door Jamb
Open the driver’s door and check the area where the door latches. There’s usually a sticker or plate with the VIN here .
Under the Hood
On gasoline-powered Infinitis, the VIN is often stamped on the front of the engine block .
Official Documents
Your vehicle registration, insurance card, and title all list the VIN—handy if you can’t access the car .
Decoding Your Infiniti VIN: A Character-by-Character Breakdown
Let’s break down what each part of the 17-character code means .
Characters 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
This tells you who built the car and where.
| WMI Code | Manufacturer | Country |
|---|---|---|
| JN1 | Nissan Motor Company | Japan (Passenger Car) |
| JNK | Nissan Motor Company | Japan (Passenger Car) |
| JNR | Nissan Motor Company | Japan (MPV/SUV) |
| JN8 | Nissan Motor Company | Japan (MPV/SUV) |
| 5N1 | Nissan North America | USA (MPV/SUV) |
| 5N3 | Nissan North America | USA (MPV/SUV) |
Quick tip: If your VIN starts with “J,” your Infiniti was built in Japan. If it starts with “5,” it was built in the United States .
Characters 4-8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
This section reveals the specifics about your Infiniti .
4th Character – Engine Code:
- A – VQ35DE (3.5L V6) in models like EX35, M35, FX35
- B – VQ35DE (3.5L V6) in G35, or VK45DE (4.5L V8) in M45
- B – VK50DE (5.0L V8) in FX50
- C – VQ35DE (3.5L V6) in I35 or G35
5th and 6th Characters – Model and Generation:
- V5 – G35 (2002-2006)
- V6 – G35 (2006+)
- S0 – FX35/45 (2003-2007)
- J0 – EX35
- A0 – QX56
7th Character – Body Type:
- 1 – Sedan (4 doors)
- 4 – Coupe (2 doors)
- 5 – Wagon (5 doors)
- 8 – SUV (5 doors)
8th Character – Restraint System (Safety):
- B – Seat belts with 2 front airbags
- E – Seat belts with 2 front, 2 side airbags, and side curtains
- F – Similar to E with additional features
Character 9: Check Digit
This is a security character calculated by a US Department of Transportation formula. It helps verify the VIN is valid and reduces fraud .
Character 10: Model Year
This tells you what year your Infiniti was built.
| Code | Year | Code | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2010 | R | 2024 |
| B | 2011 | M | 2021 |
| C | 2012 | L | 2020 |
| D | 2013 | K | 2019 |
| E | 2014 | J | 2018 |
| F | 2015 | H | 2017 |
| G | 2016 | G | 2016 |
Character 11: Assembly Plant
| Code | Plant Location |
|---|---|
| M | Tochigi Plant, Kaminokawa, Japan |
| N | Canton Plant, Mississippi, USA |
| W | Kyushu Plant, Fukuoka, Japan |
| T | Oppama Plant, Kanagawa, Japan |
| F | Aguascalientes, Mexico |
Characters 12-17: Production Sequence Number
These six digits are unique to your vehicle. No two Infinitis have the same sequence .
What a VIN Decode Reveals About Your Infiniti
When you run your VIN through a decoder, you’ll get detailed information including :
- Engine specifics: Configuration, displacement, number of cylinders
- Body class: Sedan, coupe, SUV, etc.
- Drive type: 2WD or AWD
- Safety features: Airbag locations, TPMS type, seat belt systems
- Fuel type: Gasoline or hybrid
- Production location: Exact plant and city
Example: Decoding a Real Infiniti VIN
Let’s decode this VIN from a 2011 G37 Sedan: JN1CV6AR8BM404712
- JN1 – Nissan Motor Company, passenger car built in Japan
- C – Engine type
- V6 – G37 model line
- A – Body style
- R – Restraint system
- 8 – Check digit
- B – 2011 model year
- M – Tochigi Plant, Japan
- 404712 – Unique production sequence
Why Decode Your VIN?
Checking your Infiniti VIN helps you:
- Order correct parts – No guesswork on engine or trim compatibility
- Verify vehicle history – Check for accidents, title brands, or flood damage
- Check for recalls – See if your vehicle has any open safety issues
- Confirm specs before buying – Make sure the car matches what the seller claims
Common VIN Decoding Questions
Where is the VIN on an Infiniti Q50?
Look through the windshield at the base on the driver’s side. You’ll see a metal plate right where the dash meets the glass .
What if my VIN decoder doesn’t work?
Make sure you’ve entered all 17 characters correctly and that the VIN doesn’t contain the letters I, O, or Q (they’re never used) .
Can I check for recalls with my VIN?
Yes! A VIN lookup will show you all open recalls for your specific vehicle .
Is a VIN the same as a chassis number?
Yes, they’re the same thing. The VIN is sometimes called the chassis number or serial number .
Can I decode a VIN for free?
Yes, there are free VIN decoders that show specifications and safety recalls. Full history reports with accident data usually require a small fee .
Have you decoded your Infiniti’s VIN yet? What interesting details did you discover about your car? Share your findings in the comments below.
Sources and Further Reading:
