Lexus VIN decoder
Lexus VIN decoder
Most Lexus models are built in Japan with VINs starting JTH or JTJ. The RX has also been built in Cambridge, Ontario (2T2) and the ES in Georgetown, Kentucky (58A).
Lexus WMI codes
The first three VIN characters. Verified against the NHTSA vPIC database.
| WMI | Manufacturer | Vehicle type | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2T2 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada | SUVs, vans & crossovers | Canada |
| 58A | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. | Cars | United States |
| JTH | Toyota Motor Corporation | Cars | Japan |
| JTJ | Toyota Motor Corporation | SUVs, vans & crossovers | Japan |
What to know about Lexus VINs
- JTH is used for Lexus cars and JTJ for Lexus SUVs built in Japan.
- 58A identifies Lexus ES sedans built in Kentucky, and 2T2 the RX built in Canada.
- Lexus models keep their value well, which makes title washing and odometer fraud more tempting. Check title brands and mileage records.
Lexus models you can decode
- RX
- ES
- NX
- UX
- GX
- LX
- IS
- TX
- LS
- RZ
Any 17-character Lexus VIN from the 1981 model year onwards can be decoded. Check open recalls for free on NHTSA.
How a Lexus VIN is built
All 17-character VINs for vehicles sold in the US follow the same structure.
Example: 5NPD74LF5LH611542
| Position | What it means | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country / region | Where the manufacturer is registered: 1, 4, 5 and 7 = United States, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, K = South Korea, W = Germany. |
| 2–3 | Manufacturer | Positions 1–3 together form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), assigned to one maker and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor | Manufacturer-coded details such as model line, body style, restraint system, engine and gross weight rating. |
| 9 | Check digit | A 0–9 or X calculated from the other 16 characters. It catches typos and many fake VINs. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the model year. The codes repeat every 30 years (see the table below). |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory that built the vehicle. Plant codes are defined by each manufacturer. |
| 12–17 | Serial number | The production sequence number that makes the VIN unique. |
VIN model year chart (10th character)
Codes repeat every 30 years. On cars and light trucks, a letter in position 7 means the later year.
A
1980 · 2010
B
1981 · 2011
C
1982 · 2012
D
1983 · 2013
E
1984 · 2014
F
1985 · 2015
G
1986 · 2016
H
1987 · 2017
J
1988 · 2018
K
1989 · 2019
L
1990 · 2020
M
1991 · 2021
N
1992 · 2022
P
1993 · 2023
R
1994 · 2024
S
1995 · 2025
T
1996 · 2026
V
1997 · 2027
W
1998 · 2028
X
1999 · 2029
Y
2000 · 2030
1
2001 · 2031
2
2002 · 2032
3
2003 · 2033
4
2004 · 2034
5
2005 · 2035
6
2006 · 2036
7
2007 · 2037
8
2008 · 2038
9
2009 · 2039
The letters I, O, Q, U and Z and the number 0 are never used as year codes.
Where to find the VIN on a Lexus
- Lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side, readable from outside the car
- Sticker or plate on the driver’s door jamb (open the door)
- Title, registration card and insurance card
- Engine bay, often on the firewall or the front of the frame on trucks
- Seller’s listing or the dealer’s window sticker
The VIN on the car, the title and the listing must all match. If they do not, do not buy.
VinCode report · $5.99
Before you buy a used Lexus, check its history
Title brands, accidents, total-loss events, odometer readings, owners and service records for the VIN, scored with the VinCode Score.
- Title brand check
- Accidents & damage
- Odometer chart
- Owners & usage
- Service records
- VinCode Score
Why does my Lexus decode with a Toyota manufacturer?
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand, so the manufacturer name in the VIN database is Toyota Motor Corporation or one of its plants.
Where is the VIN on a Lexus RX?
At the lower driver’s side corner of the windshield and on the driver’s door jamb label.
Is the Lexus VIN decoder free?
Yes. Decoding a Lexus VIN is free. A full VinCode report with title brands, accidents, odometer readings and owners costs $5.99.
Does a Lexus VIN show accident history?
No. The VIN only encodes how the vehicle was built. Accident, damage and title history come from records reported for the VIN, which is what the VinCode report shows.