Chrysler VIN Decoder

Decode your Chrysler VIN now! Type the VIN number and discover key details like specs, market value, accident history, ownership, and more. Get instant access to vital information with a Chrysler VIN Decoder.

10% OFF
question-mark Why do we need your phone number?
Why do we need your phone number?
We'll send your vehicle report or sticker link via text for easy access.
Our support team may contact you if we find issues with your report or sticker.
Your data is never shared with third parties.
Get 10% off your purchases by providing your phone number.

What is a Chrysler VIN Decoder?

A Chrysler VIN decoder is a simple tool that reads the VIN Number of your Chrysler and translates it into plain language. Every modern Chrysler has a 17-character VIN, a mix of letters and numbers that follows international rules (ISO 3779/3780) and U.S. safety regulations from NHTSA. 

When you type that code into a Chrysler VIN decoder tool, it pulls out that hidden story: where your Chrysler was built, whether it’s the U.S., Canada or Mexico, plus the model, engine, and year.

Our Instant VIN Reports decoder goes one step further by connecting that VIN to detailed specs and history data. And yes, quietly in the background, it can also handle classic Chrysler VIN numbers with fewer than 17 characters, so your older project car still gets some love.

What is a Chrysler VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

A Chrysler VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-character code of numbers and capital letters that uniquely identifies your vehicle, assigned during manufacturing for models from 1981 onward. 

Checking the VIN is crucial when buying a used car, as it reveals important information about recalls, title issues, theft, and previous ownership, helping you avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle, a car with severe damage, or overpaying for one with a troubled history.

Typical information you can get from a Chrysler VIN includes:

  • Country of origin, manufacturer and type – for example, a VIN starting with “1” is built in the United States, “2” in Canada, “3” in Mexico, and the “C” in the second position is commonly used for Chrysler in decoding tables. 
  • Key vehicle specifications – engine type, body style, restraint system, and related technical features as laid out in Chrysler VIN tables.
  • Model year, assembly plant and serial number – these are encoded in the last part of the VIN and allow you to pinpoint exactly when and where that Chrysler was built.

For older, pre-1981 Chrysler vehicles, the identification numbers can be shorter and follow older manufacturer-specific patterns, but they serve the same basic purpose: to identify the vehicle and connect it with records.

Free vin decoder

How to Read a Chrysler VIN Number?

At first glance, a Chrysler VIN looks like random text. But once you know the pattern, it’s actually quite logical. International standards such as ISO 3779 and explanations from NHTSA split a 17-character VIN into three main parts:

  1. WMI – World Manufacturer Identifier (characters 1st–3rd)
  2. VDS – Vehicle Descriptor Section (characters 4th–9th)
  3. VIS – Vehicle Identifier Section (characters 10th–17th)

Chrysler follows this same system, and its VIN templates show how each position is used for things like brand, engine type, restraint system and assembly plant.

How to Read a Chrysler VIN Number?

WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)

The WMI is made from the first three characters of the Chrysler VIN.

  • The first character shows the country or region where the vehicle was built. For example:
    • 1, 4, or 5 = United States
    • 2 = Canada
    • 3 = Mexico
  • The second character identifies the manufacturer
  • The third character indicates the vehicle type or division (e.g., passenger car, multipurpose vehicle, truck).

For Chrysler, typical WMIs used in decoding tools include combinations such as 1C3, 2C3 and 3C3, which represent Chrysler passenger cars built in the United States, Canada and Mexico. So if your VIN begins with 1C3, you’re looking at a Chrysler-family vehicle built in the U.S.

VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section)

Characters 4 to 9 form the Vehicle Descriptor Section. This section is used to describe the vehicle itself: 

  • Positions 4th–8th usually encode things like model line, body style, restraint system (airbags, belts), engine type, and sometimes transmission or drive type.
  • Position 9th is the check digit, a character calculated from the rest of the VIN to catch typing errors or fake VIN numbers.

VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section)

Characters 10th to 17th make up the Vehicle Identifier Section. Under the VIN standards and insurer explanations: 

  • The 10th character encodes the model year using a standard year code.
  • The 11th character identifies the assembly plant.
  • Characters 12th–17th are the production sequence number, unique to that specific vehicle.

When you use a Chrysler VIN number lookup, the decoder reads this VIS part to tell you instantly, for example, that your minivan was built in a particular year at a particular plant and rolled off the line as serial number X of that run.

10th Digit Model Year 10th Digit Model Year 10th Digit Model Year 10th Digit Model Year
A1980 M1991 22002 D2013
B1981 N1992 32003 E2014
C1982 P1993 42004 F2015
D1983 R1994 52005 G2016
E1984 S1995 62006 H2017
F1985 T1996 72007 J2018
G1986 V1997 82008 K2019
H1987 W1998 92009 L2020
J1988 X1999 A2010 M2021
K1989 Y2000 B2011 N2022
L1990 12001 C2012 P2023
  • 11th character – assembly plant

    Different letters/numbers indicate Gothenburg, Ghent, U.S. plants, China plants, and so on.

    Characters 12–17 – serial number

    This is the production sequence that makes your Volvo unique, even if another car has the same colour and options.

    When you run your code through Instant VIN Reports’ Volvo VIN decoder search, our system reads the VIS to pin down the year, plant and exact build, then ties that to history data and recall information where available. You get the story; we do the math.

Where to Find the VIN on a Chrysler?

You can find the Chrysler in these common places:

  • Driver’s side dashboard (modern vehicles): Stand outside the car and look through the windshield at the base of the dashboard on the driver’s side.
  • Driver’s door jamb/door pillar: Open the driver’s door and check the vertical pillar or door frame.
  • Under the hood/engine bay: Some vehicles also carry the VIN stamped in the engine bay or on the firewall.
  • On the frame or chassis (especially older or heavy-duty vehicles): Certain older or specialty Chrysler vehicles can have the VIN stamped on the frame rails or chassis.
  • On paperwork: If the physical VIN plate is hard to see, you can also find the VIN on the vehicle title and registration, insurance documents, or dealer or service records 
  • Classic Chrysler cars: The VIN might appear on different body tags or plates, sometimes in the engine compartment or on the door area.
where can i find VIN

What Information Can You Get from a Chrysler VIN Decoder?

With our Chrysler VIN number decoder, we turn the VIN code into a full story about the car’s build and history. Below are the main sections you’ll see for a Chrysler VIN report:

Vehicle Specifications

This is the “who and what” of your Chrysler. A Chrysler VIN number lookup reads the VIN and shows year, make, model, trim, engine type, transmission, drive type, body style, and build location, based on standard VIN rules and manufacturer data.

Recalls Check

Manufacturers sometimes issue safety recalls to fix defects. Using the VIN, systems can show recall campaigns and whether work is still outstanding, based on manufacturer and government recall databases.

Title Brand Records

A Chrysler VIN lookup can reveal the recorded title brands such as salvage, rebuilt, flood, fire, hail, junk, or odometer rollback. These marks often follow the Chrysler for life and can strongly influence safety, resale value, and how easy it is to register the car. If you see heavy branding, you know to take a step back or negotiate very carefully.

Theft Records

Nobody wants to accidentally buy a stolen car. A VIN decoder Chrysler report checks theft databases and shows if that VIN was ever reported stolen and whether it was recovered. Even if the Chrysler was recovered, there could be insurance or title issues attached to its past. Seeing the full theft history helps you avoid legal trouble and protects your investment.

Mileage History

You’ll see a timeline of readings and can spot strange jumps, repeated numbers, or mileage that suddenly drops. For someone who doesn’t deal with cars every day, this is an easy way to tell if a “low-mileage” Chrysler really lived the quiet life the seller describes.

Lien/Loan Check

A lien or active loan can cause legal headaches if you buy the vehicle before the debt is cleared. If a lien is still open, the lender might have rights to the Chrysler, even after you pay the seller. Knowing this ahead of time helps you avoid messy paperwork and nasty surprises at the DMV.

Accident Records

Accidents are not always visible on the paint. A Chrysler VIN decoder report gathers documented crash events linked to that VIN from insurance and official records. You may see the date of the accident, where it was reported, basic notes on what happened, and sometimes if the airbags deployed or the vehicle was towed.

Damage History

Not every major damage event is recorded as a simple “accident.” Floods, hail, fire, or frame damage can show up as separate entries or as part of title brands. Our detailed Chrysler VIN number decoder highlights these recorded damage notes.

Ownership History

The ownership history section tells you how many people have held the title for that Chrysler and for how long. Our full history report can show the available records of the sequence of owners, their states or regions, and the dates when the car changed hands.

Service & Maintenance Records

When available, service records connected to the VIN can show oil changes, inspections, repairs, and other maintenance work. If a Chrysler shows regular service over the years, that often means the owner cared about the car. Gaps in maintenance, or only emergency repairs, may suggest harder use. 

Auction History

Auction entries show what happened when the Chrysler was sold in auctions. A Chrysler VIN decoder report may include auction dates, locations, sale outcomes, condition notes, and the available records up to 10 photos.  Those images often reveal damage, modifications, or missing parts that never appear in regular online listings.

Sales History

Some VIN tools gather data from previous online listings tied to that Chrysler VIN. You may see how many times Chrysler has been advertised, with old photos and descriptions. If the car is being flipped again and again, or if the story keeps changing, that’s a major hint to slow down, ask questions, or walk away.

Why Use a Chrysler VIN Decoder?

A Chrysler may look perfect in photos, but the VIN tells the truth. If you collect or restore Chrysler vehicles, you need more than a casual VIN lookup. Instant VIN Reports combines decoding, history records, auction data, and service notes where available, giving you a fuller picture than many basic decoders.

And for classic Chryslers with pre-1981 VINs that have fewer than 17 characters, our classic VIN tools are designed to handle those older formats too, so your project car is not left out. 

Who Can Benefit from Using a Chrysler VIN Decoder?

Honestly, decoding a Chrysler VIN is useful for almost everyone who touches the car: buyers, sellers, dealers, restorers, and long-time owners. It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about knowing what you have before you spend money or time fixing it.

For Buyers

  • Confirm that the Chrysler’s year, model, and trim match the listing. 
  • Show past accidents or major damage that could affect safety.
  • Reveal title brands like salvage, rebuilt, or flood.
  • Check mileage history for signs of odometer rollback.
  • Highlight open recalls that still need repairs.

For Sellers

  • Provide the correct specs and options to potential buyers.
  • Show that there are no hidden title brands.
  • Demonstrate a clean accident and damage record when that is the case.
  • Display a reasonable, documented mileage history.
  • Help justify your asking price with market value data. 

For Dealers

  • Quickly verify specs and options for multiple Chrysler units on the lot.
  • Screen trade-ins for serious title or damage problems.
  • Avoid stocking vehicles with complex liens or incomplete paperwork.
  • Price inventory more accurately using market value estimates.
  • Provide printed or digital reports to reassure buyers.

How to Use the Free Chrysler VIN Decoder?

To use the free Chrysler VIN decoder from Instant VIN Reports, you only need the VIN and a minute of your time. 

1) Find the VIN

Look at the driver’s side of the dashboard through the windshield, or check the driver’s door frame, registration, title, or insurance papers.

2) Fill in the Form

Go to the Instant VIN Reports Chrysler VIN decoder page, type the full VIN carefully. Then click the “Search VIN” button.

3) Get the Report

Review the preview page with vehicle specifications. From there, you can decide if you want to order the full paid Chrysler vehicle history report that includes accidents, title brands, liens, theft records, and other deeper sections.

Free Chrysler VIN Decoder vs. Paid Chrysler VIN Decoder

Both free and paid Chrysler VIN decoders serve different purposes. The free option offers basic specifications, while the paid report provides detailed insights on accidents, damage, theft records, liens, and more, which are important when buying or negotiating for a vehicle.

Feature Free VIN Decoder History Report (Paid)
VIN decoding for all vehicle types
Year, make, model, trim
Full vehicle specifications / detailed car specs
Market value snapshot
Sales listings (current/online ads)
Sales history (timeline of past listings/sales)
Auction records (when available)
Auction history with photos
Mileage during auction/sales (when available)
Odometer rollback checks
Ownership history
Vehicle usage type (personal, fleet, rental, commercial)
Title brand records (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon, etc.)
Lien & loan records
Accident & damage history
Theft / stolen records
Flood/hail/fire damage checks
Service/repair records
Warranty status & coverage
Recall information

Decode VIN by Other Manufacturers

Frequently Asked Questions about Chrysler VIN Decoder

Where is the Chrysler VIN?

On most modern Chrysler vehicles, the VIN is on a plate at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side and also on a sticker on the driver’s door frame. It also appears on official paperwork such as the registration, title, and insurance documents.

Can the VIN reveal if my Chrysler was part of a fleet or livery?

Yes. A full Chrysler VIN check may show usage types like personal, fleet, taxi, or rental in the ownership and registration sections when this information is reported in state or insurance records.

Do Chrysler export models have different VIN check digits?

All modern Chryslers that follow the 17-character VIN standard use the same check-digit rules defined in federal VIN regulations and international standards, regardless of whether they are sold in the U.S. or exported.

How to decode a Chrysler VIN?

You can decode a Chrysler VIN manually by splitting it into the World Manufacturer Identifier, Vehicle Descriptor Section, and Vehicle Identifier Section, as defined in VIN standards, then matching each position with the manufacturer’s code tables.

But honestly, it’s much easier to enter the VIN into a Chrysler VIN decoder at Instant VIN Reports and let the tool translate it into plain language, then read the history report if needed. 

Can I decode a 13-digit Chrysler VIN?

Yes, but it uses older rules. Vehicles built before the standard 17-character format became mandatory around the 1980s often have shorter VIN numbers. Instant VIN Reports supports classic Chrysler VIN decoding through our tools, so you can still research pre-1981 Chryslers with 13-digit or other shorter VIN numbers.