Nissan VIN structure
Nissan VINs start with JN (Japan: JN1 passenger, JN8 SUV/van), 1N4 (US sedans, Smyrna TN), 5N1 (US SUVs), 3N1 (Mexico, Aguascalientes/Cuernavaca) and KN3+ for Renault-Samsung built models.
WMI — the first three characters
| WMI | Manufacturer / region |
|---|---|
| JN1 | Nissan Japan (passenger) |
| JN8 | Nissan Japan (SUV/van) |
| 1N4 | Nissan USA (Smyrna, TN) |
| 5N1 | Nissan USA (SUV) |
| 3N1 | Nissan Mexico |
| KNM | Renault Samsung (shared platform) |
Major assembly plants
| Plant | Models built |
|---|---|
| Smyrna, TN (USA) | Altima, Rogue, Leaf |
| Canton, MS (USA) | Titan, Armada, NV |
| Aguascalientes (Mexico) | Sentra, Versa |
| Tochigi/Iwaki (Japan) | GT-R, Z, Skyline |
| Sunderland (UK) | Qashqai, Leaf |
Model year — the 10th character
10th digit = model year; Nissan moved to 17-digit VINs in 1981. See the full VIN year chart.
Options and packages
Nissan trims (S/SV/SL/Platinum) are partially encoded in the VDS; option packages are on the window sticker. Decoders sometimes mismatch drivetrain on AWD variants — verify the rear differential on the lot.
Build sheet channels for Nissan
| Channel | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Owners (official) | Free | US owner portal with factory spec by VIN |
| Nissan dealer | Free–varies | Factory build sheet by VIN on request |
| Window sticker reproduction | ~$10 per label | Original Monroney label by VIN |
Full comparison across all brands: build sheet channels & prices.
Known decode traps
- AWD badges without the hardware: decode and physically check the drivetrain — decoder drivetrain fields occasionally lag on facelift models.
- Mexico-built cars carry 3N1 WMIs that some US-centric databases under-report.
Recalls and this brand
Nissan recall lookups via NHTSA; check the official Nissan portal for the full campaign list.