Ford Explorer: Identification Codes / Description and Operation - Identification Codes

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

VIN Locator

The VIN is a 17-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted to the instrument panel, top upper left of the dash. The VIN is also found on the VC label. If the VIN plate requires replacement, authorized dealers must contact their respective regional office.

World Manufacturer Identifier

The first 3 VIN positions are the WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier).

• 1FM - Ford Motor Company, USA, MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)
• WF0 - Ford Motor Company, USA, MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) (PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle))

Restraint Type

The fourth VIN position is the vehicle restraint and GVW code.

• 5 - 6,001 - 7,000 lb GVW, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side impact inflatable restraints (all positions), driver and front passenger knee bolster
• S - 5,001 - 6,000 lb GVW, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side impact inflatable restraints (all positions), driver and front passenger knee bolster

Vehicle Line, Series and Body Type

Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.

• K7B - Explorer, RWD, Base
• K7D - Explorer, RWD, XLT
• K7F - Explorer, RWD, Limited
• K8A - Explorer, 4WD, Police package
• K8B - Explorer, 4WD, Base
• K8D - Explorer, 4WD, XLT
• K8F - Explorer, 4WD, Limited
• K8G - Explorer, 4WD, ST
• K8H - Explorer, 4WD, Platinum

Engine Type

The eighth VIN position identifies the engine type, displacement and number of cylinders.

• B - 3.3L, DOHC (dual overhead camshaft), TiVCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing),V6
• C - 3.0L, GTDI (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection), V6
• H - 2.3L, I4 (in-line 4-cylinder), TiVCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing), 270HP
• W - 3.3L, TiVCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing), V6, HEV
• Y - 3.0L, Nano, GTDI (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection), V6, PHEV

Check Digit

The ninth VIN position is a government-assigned, computer-generated check digit.

• 0 - 9

Model Year

The tenth VIN position is the model year code.

• M - 2021

Assembly Plant

The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.

• G - Chicago Assembly - Chicago, Illinois
• N - Chicago SHO Center - Chicago, Illinois

Production Sequence Number

The last 6 VIN positions are a numeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number. The serial number can also be found on the engine block, transmission and frame.

• A00001 - F99999

VC Codes

VC Label Locator

The VC label contains the manufacturer name, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement and the VIN. It also includes GVW and tire information. If a vehicle requires replacement of the VC label and is 4 years old or less, an authorized dealer must submit the VIN to their respective regional office. The regional office will submit a web form to the assembly plant for the replacement label. Once the label has been printed, a representative from the regional office will deliver the label to the dealer and witness installation on the vehicle. If a vehicle is more than 4 years old and requires a replacement label, the dealer must submit a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Paint Code

Paint codes may be listed as a 2-part code. The first set of paint code numbers/letters indicate the vehicle primary body color. The second set of letters/numbers (if applicable) indicate a 2-tone or accent body color. All paint codes are a base coat/clear coat finish.

Primary Body Color

• AB - Infinite Blue Metallic(tinted clear coat)
• AZ - Star White/Pristine White
• B3 - Atlas Blue/Artisan Blue
• BN - Silver Spruce
• BU - Medium Brown Metallic
• D1 - Stone Gray
• D4 - Rapid Red (tinted clear coat)/Red Carpet (tri-coat)
• E3 - Arizona Beige (Police package only)
• E4 - Vermillion Red
• HG - Smokestone
• J1 - Kodiak Brown
• JL - Dark Toreador Red Metallic
• JS - Iconic Silver/Silver Radiance
• KR - Norcea Blue Pearl Metallic
• LK - Dark Blue Solid
• LM - Royal Blue Solid
• LN - Light Blue Metallic
• M7 - Carbonized Gray/Asher Gray
• TN - Silver Gray Metallic
• UJ - Sterling Gray Metallic
• UM - Agate Black Metallic
• YG - Medium Titanium
• YZ - Oxford White Solid

Accent Color

• YZ - Oxford White Solid

Wheelbase

The following identifies the vehicle wheelbase:

• 119 - 119  in ( 3,023  mm) wheelbase

Interior Trim Codes

Interior trim codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first digit listed indicates the seat and fabric style. The second digit listed indicates the interior trim color.

Interior Trim Type

• 7 - Cloth trim A
• 8 - Cloth trim B
• 9 - Police Cloth trim C with vinyl, (Police package)
• C - Leather B heated / cooled with 10-way driver/10-way passenger power seats
• D - Leather C heated / cooled with 10-way driver/10-way passenger power seats
• F - Police Cloth trim D (Police package)
• S - Activex trim with vinyl

Interior Trim Color Codes

• 6 - Ebony Black
• A - Light Sandstone
• H - All Black Ebony
• N - Sandstone
• Y - Light Slate

Tape/Paint Stripe Codes

Tape and paint stripe codes do not apply.

Radio Codes

The following lists available radio codes:

• 7 - Branded plus AM/ FM stereo (China)
• J - Branded plus AM/ FM stereo
• L - Mid AM/ FM stereo, with BVC (Police package)
• R - Unbranded AM/ FM stereo, Ice pack 1
• S - Unbranded AM/ FM stereo, SDARS (Satellite Digital Audio Receiver System), Ice pack 2
• U - Branded plus AM/ FM stereo, SDARS (Satellite Digital Audio Receiver System) without DIV
• V - Branded AM/ FM stereo, Ice pack 5
• W - Branded AM/ FM stereo, SDARS (Satellite Digital Audio Receiver System), Ice pack 6
• X - Branded AM/ FM stereo, Ice pack 7 (China and Myanmar)

Axle Type

The following lists the available axle ratios and associated codes:

• 3A - 3.31 ratio
• 3B - 3.58 ratio
• 3C - 3.73 ratio

Transmission Codes

Available transmissions are as follows:

• B - Mod Hybrid Transaxle (A10R80) - MHT
• T - 10-speed automatic (10R60)
• U - 10-speed automatic (10R80)

Spring Codes

Spring codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first 2 characters identify the RH and LH front springs. The third and fourth characters identify the RH and LH rear springs.

Front Springs

• Base part number - 5310

Rear Springs

• Base part number - 5560

Powertrain Calibration Information

NOTE: Powertrain calibration information is limited to a maximum of 5 characters per line on the VC label. Because of this, calibration identification consisting of more than 5 characters will wrap to the second line on the VC label.

Powertrain calibration information is printed in the lower right corner of the VC label. Only the base calibration information is printed. Revision levels will not appear, however, they can be obtained through a scan tool using the most current software revision.

Model Year

• M - 2021

Vehicle Code

• TW - Ford Explorer

Transmission Code

• 2 - Automatic transmission

Unique Calibration

The Emission/Corporate Average Fuel Economy/CO2 Compliance Department is responsible for assigning these calibration numbers. Unique identifications are assigned to cover similar vehicles to differentiate between tires, drive configurations, final drive ratios and other calibration-significant factors. These 2 characters are chosen by the analyst to provide identifiable information unique to each calibration. For example, using the number 2 to denote a 2- valve engine versus using the number 4 to denote a 4-valve engine provides an easily identifiable difference.

Fleet Coding

• 0 - Certification (U.S. 4K, final sale in export markets)
• 1 - Heavy duty gas engine/Dyno
• 2 - Fast Automobile Manufacturers' Association, U.S.
• 3 - Alternative durability protocol, U.S.
• 4 - Not assigned
• 5 - Not assigned
• 6 - EVAP
• 7 - Mileage accumulation aging endurance durability
• 8 - OBD
• 9 - Not assigned

Certification Region

• 5 - U.S. 50 states
• A - U.S. federal, including altitude, may include Canada and/or Mexico
• B - U.S. California standard, includes U.S. green states
• C - Canada
• D - China
• E - European Community - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and UK (United Kingdom)
• F - EEC (European Extended Community) - E-plus Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Yugoslavia)
• G - GCC (Gulf Cooperative Council) - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE (United Arab Emirates)
• H - Hong Kong
• J - Japan
• K - Korea
• L - Malaysia
• M - Mexico
• N - New Zealand
• P - Australia
• Q - South America (Brazil)
• S - Singapore
• T - Taiwan
• U - South America (unleaded fuel regions)
• V - Vietnam
• X - ROW (Rest Of World)
• Y - Military
• Z - Israel

Revision Level (not printed on label)

• 91-99 - Hardware and certification levels
• 01-04 - Preliminary levels
• 00 - Job 1 production (initial certification)
• 05-09 - Pre-job 1 revisions to calibrations
• 10-89 - Post-job 1 revisions to calibrations
• 0B - Durability test level
• BD - OBD intermediate level (pre-05)