Subaru VINs start with JF1 or JF2 (Gunma, Japan) or 4S3 or 4S4 (Lafayette, Indiana).
Specs are free. The Subaru's history is the part that costs money — $5.99 of it.
Accident records, title brands, odometer readings, service history and open recalls for this VIN.
Get the full report — $5.99Subaru VIN decoder: reading the code yourself
Subaru builds its US cars in two places — Gunma, Japan and Lafayette, Indiana — and the first character of the VIN tells you which. Positions 4 and 5 carry Subaru's chassis code, the same code enthusiasts use for each generation.
| Position | What Subaru encodes there |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier (table below). |
| 4–5 | Chassis code (table below). |
| 6–8 | Body, trim, restraint and engine codes; the decoder translates them. |
| 9 | Check digit. |
| 10 | Model year (table below). |
| 11 | Assembly plant. |
| 12–17 | Production serial. |
Subaru WMI codes (positions 1–3)
| Code | Meaning | Typical vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| JF1 | Subaru Corporation, Japan, cars | WRX, BRZ, Japanese-built Impreza (also the Toyota 86 and GR86, which Subaru builds) |
| JF2 | Subaru Corporation, Japan, SUVs | Forester, Crosstrek |
| 4S3 | Subaru of Indiana, cars | Legacy, Impreza |
| 4S4 | Subaru of Indiana, SUVs | Outback, Ascent |
Subaru chassis codes (positions 4–5)
| Code | Model | Years |
|---|---|---|
| SK | Forester | 2019 on |
| GT | Impreza · Crosstrek | 2017–2023 · 2018–2023 |
| VA | WRX | 2015–2021 |
| BW | Legacy | 2020 on |
| BT | Outback | 2020 on |
| WM | Ascent | 2019 on |
Each code above was checked against NHTSA's database with a sample VIN. Older generations use other pairs; the decoder resolves them from the full VIN.
Model-year letters (position 10)
Every maker uses the same tenth-character code. 2001–2009 are the digits 1–9; from 2010 the alphabet starts again at A, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z so nothing is mistaken for a digit. The same letters were used for 1980–2000, which is why a VIN's seventh character matters: a letter there means the vehicle is 2010 or newer, a digit means 2009 or older.
| 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 | Y 2030 |
Subaru trouble spots to check in the history report
Years are approximate. Match the engine the decoder returns against the list.
- 2.5-litre EJ engine head gaskets, about 1999–2011 (Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback): external oil and coolant leaks. A head-gasket job on record is common and usually good news.
- FB20 and FB25 oil consumption, about 2011–2015 (Forester, Impreza, XV Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback): piston-ring wear, the subject of a class settlement and extended coverage.
- Lineartronic CVT, about 2010–2015: judder and failures; Subaru extended coverage on many models. A replaced transmission or valve body shows in the records.
- Battery drain, about 2015–2020 (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Ascent, WRX): dead batteries, the subject of a class settlement.
- Takata airbag inflators on a number of older models. The free recall check above lists the campaigns for the model and year; nhtsa.gov/recalls confirms whether this VIN's repair was done.
A VIN-first checklist for buying a used Subaru
- Decode the VIN and note the engine and chassis code — they decide which issues above apply.
- Ask a Subaru dealer whether any CVT or engine coverage extension still applies to the VIN.
- Run the history report for accidents, title brands and the service trail; Subarus spend a lot of time in snow states, so check for rust repairs too.
- Match the dashboard VIN, the door-jamb label and the title.
- Pull the original window sticker to confirm packages the decode doesn't list.
What a Subaru VIN decode can't tell you
Everything above was fixed on the day the vehicle was built, which is exactly why it is reliable and exactly why it is incomplete. A collision, a flood title issued in another state, a rolled-back odometer or a skipped timing-chain service all happen later, so none of them touch the VIN. They live in the vehicle history report: accident and damage records, title brands, the odometer timeline, open recalls, service entries and ownership changes. Decode here for free as often as you like; buy history only for the Subaru you are serious about. Dealers and flippers who check every car can bring that to $1.30 a report.
Guides that go with this decoder
- What to inspect before buying a used car — the lot checklist to print.
- What the 17 digits in a VIN mean — the full position-by-position breakdown.
- Signs of a rolled-back odometer — what a decode can't catch and a report can.
- Is a salvage-title car worth buying? — every brand, and what it does to value.
- Dealer auction VIN checks — the pre-bid routine volume buyers use.
- Other makes: any VIN · Ford · Chevrolet · GMC · Toyota · Honda · Nissan · Hyundai · Kia · Subaru · Mazda · Jeep · Dodge and Ram · Tesla · BMW · Mercedes-Benz · Audi · Volkswagen · Lexus · Land Rover · Porsche · window sticker lookup
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Subaru VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN above. The decoder returns model year, model, trim, body, engine, drivetrain, transmission and assembly plant from the official NHTSA vPIC database. The first three characters tell you where it was built: JF1 and JF2 are Subaru's plants in Gunma, Japan, and 4S3 and 4S4 are Subaru of Indiana in Lafayette.
What do positions 4 and 5 of a Subaru VIN mean?
Subaru's chassis code. SK is the Forester (2019 on), GT the Impreza (2017–2023) and Crosstrek (2018–2023), VA the WRX of 2015–2021, BW the Legacy and BT the Outback (both 2020 on), and WM the Ascent. Enthusiasts and parts catalogues use these codes all the time.
Which plant built my Subaru?
The eleventh character. On 2020 VINs, 3 is Lafayette, Indiana (Outback, Legacy, Ascent, Impreza) and H or 9 is Gunma (Ota), Japan (Forester, Crosstrek, WRX). Subaru's letters vary by model and year, so let the decoder name the plant.
Has this Subaru had its head gaskets done?
A VIN decode can't say, but the history report's service records often can. Head-gasket leaks were common on the 2.5-litre EJ engine of roughly 1999–2011; a replacement on record is normal and usually good news.
Did Subaru extend the CVT warranty?
Yes, on many 2010–2015 models Subaru extended coverage of the Lineartronic CVT. A Subaru dealer can tell you whether a specific VIN still qualifies; the history report shows any transmission replacement.
Does a VIN decode show if a Subaru has been in an accident?
No. A decode returns factory build data only. Accidents, branded titles, odometer readings, service records and open recalls appear in the full vehicle history report, $5.99 for a single VIN.