Jeep VIN Decoder: Wrangler, Grand Cherokee & Engine Codes

A Jeep VIN decoder reads the 17 characters of the VIN and tells you the model, trim, drive type, engine, model year and assembly plant of that exact Jeep. On a 2022 Wrangler, for example, 1C4HJXDG followed by N in the 10th position and W in the 11th means a four-door Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4x4 with the 3.6L V6, built in 2022 in Toledo, Ohio.

The fastest way to get that answer for a specific vehicle is to paste the VIN into our free VIN decoder, which reads the same government data used in this guide. The rest of this page explains each position so you can check a listing yourself.

Every code here comes from NHTSA's vPIC database, which holds the VIN filings Jeep's parent company (FCA US, now part of Stellantis) submits to the government. We queried it in October 2026 using sample VIN patterns for each model. vPIC sometimes lists engines a model was never sold with, so we include only engines Jeep actually offered.

Jeep VIN number breakdown, position by position

Here is the sample 2022 Wrangler VIN 1C4HJXDG?NW100001 split into its parts (the ? is the check digit):

This layout follows the federal VIN rule in 49 CFR Part 565, which sets the model year in position 10 and the plant in position 11 for every vehicle sold in the US. Our guide on how to read a VIN covers the general rules. This page covers what the characters mean on a Jeep.

Before you decode anything, read the VIN from the vehicle, not the listing. The VIN location guide shows the windshield plate, door jamb and other spots to check.

Positions 1–3: Jeep manufacturer codes

The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). These are the Jeep-related WMIs vPIC returns:

1C4 and 1C6 are shared with Dodge, Chrysler and Ram, so the 5th character is what tells you the vehicle is a Jeep. The older 1J codes are listed by vPIC as Jeep only.

Positions 4–7: model, drive and trim

On recent Jeeps (we checked 2014–2024 models), positions 4 to 7 form a short code that vPIC reads as follows:

• Position 4 is the GVWR class. On our Wrangler sample, changing it from G to H moved the decoded weight class from 4,001–5,000 lb to 5,001–6,000 lb.
• Position 5 is J for Jeep on every recent model we checked.
• Position 6 is the model line, and for most models it also sets 4x2 or 4x4.
• Position 7 is the trim and, on the Wrangler, the number of doors.

Position 6 model codes

Position 7 trim codes (examples)

The 7th character depends on the model line, so the same letter means different trims on different Jeeps:

These are a few of the codes vPIC returned; it lists more letters for some models. If yours is not shown, decode the full VIN.

Position 8: Jeep engine code by VIN

The 8th character is the engine. On recent Jeeps it works the same way as on a Ford or Chevy (see the Ford engine code chart and Chevy engine code chart), and FCA uses one shared engine table across its brands, so the same letter means the same engine on a Wrangler, a Gladiator or a Grand Cherokee.

Jeep engine codes, recent models

For 2015 models, vPIC also returns Jeep's three-letter sales code for each engine. The 3.6L V6 (G) shows as sales code ERB.

Older Jeep engine codes

On older Jeeps the table was different, and some letters were reused for other engines later:

Note the N: on a 2008 Grand Cherokee it is a 4.7L V8, but on a 2022 Wrangler it is a 2.0L turbo four. Always read the engine code together with the model year. Most of these codes were checked only against vPIC's pattern data, not against a physical engine, so decode the full VIN before relying on one.

Positions 10–11: model year and plant

The 10th character is the model year, using the same code on every make: F is 2015, L 2020, N 2022, P 2023 and R 2024. Our VIN year chart lists every code back to 1980.

The 11th character is the plant. These are the plant codes vPIC returned for our Jeep samples:

If a seller says a Wrangler was built somewhere other than Toledo, the 11th character will settle it.

Jeep build sheet and window sticker by VIN

A "build sheet" is the list of options, packages and paint a vehicle left the factory with. The VIN does not contain it. The 17 characters only cover the items federal rules require, such as model, body, engine and restraint type. Packages like a tow group, a lift kit or a premium audio option are not in the VIN.

To see the original equipment, get the window sticker (the Monroney label). Our guide to finding the original window sticker by VIN explains where to look. We did not find a public, documented Stellantis tool we could confirm for every VIN, so we do not list one here.

Paint is also left out of the VIN. Our paint code by VIN guide covers where to find it instead.

How to decode a Jeep VIN step by step

1. Copy the VIN from the vehicle. Use the dashboard plate or the driver door-jamb label and make sure both match the title.
2. Check positions 1–5. You should see 1C4, 1C6, 3C4 or an older 1J code, and on newer models a J in position 5.
3. Read positions 6 and 7 against the tables above to confirm the model and trim. A "Rubicon" listing with a Sport code is worth a question.
4. Read the 8th character for the engine. This matters for a Rubicon 392 (J), a 4xe (6) or an EcoDiesel (M), which sell at a premium.
5. Check the year and plant (positions 10 and 11).
6. Run the full VIN through our free VIN decoder to confirm everything at once. For a history and title check on the same VIN, use our free VIN check.
7. Check recalls. Our recall check by VIN guide explains how to use NHTSA's recall lookup to see open recalls on that exact Jeep.