Tesla VIN Decoder: 4 Common WMI Codes
Decode any Tesla VIN free: the first three characters (5YJ, 7SA, 7G2, SFZ) identify the assigned manufacturer and vehicle type, position 10 encodes the model year and position 11 commonly identifies the assembly plant. Then check that vehicle's recalls and history separately.
Run the exact 17-character VIN, compare the physical vehicle, and keep each history category separate.
A Tesla VIN check can identify the Tesla model, model year, body, electric propulsion, drive, and safety attributes returned by NHTSA. It does not reveal present battery health, usable range, charging history, software purchases, driver-assistance entitlement, Supercharger status, repair quality, or complete ownership history.
Buying a used Tesla? Enter its VIN.
Confirm the Tesla identity free. For a purchase decision, the optional history report can show returned title, mileage and auction records; coverage varies by VIN.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
No subscription. No charge to check the VIN. Report contents vary by vehicle; applicable tax is shown at checkout.
See what the paid report includes →Tesla WMI codes (VIN positions 1–3)
The first three VIN characters identify the assigned manufacturer and vehicle type. These common World Manufacturer Identifier patterns were checked against NHTSA vPIC data, but a prefix alone does not prove final assembly country; confirm the complete VIN’s returned plant fields and vehicle-specific records.
| WMI | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| 5YJ | Tesla passenger cars built in the USA; NHTSA vPIC registers this code to Tesla, Inc. |
| 7SA | Tesla SUVs (multipurpose passenger vehicles) built in the USA; vPIC added this code in November 2021 |
| 7G2 | Tesla trucks built in the USA — the code NHTSA registered in October 2022, used for the Cybertruck |
| SFZ | Early Tesla passenger-car code carrying the United Kingdom's S prefix, associated with the original Roadster |
Where to find the VIN on a Tesla
Teslas carry the VIN on a plate at the base of the windshield on the driver's side and on the certification label on the driver's door pillar. It also appears in the Tesla app for vehicles linked to your account, and on the title, registration, and insurance card.
Check Tesla warranty coverage by VIN
Open the Tesla app, scroll to the bottom of the home screen, and tap 'Specs & Warranty' then 'Warranty' to see your vehicle's coverage; tesla.com/support/vehicle-warranty documents the terms. Tesla's Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles, and the Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty runs 8 years with 100,000–150,000 miles depending on model.
In December 2023, Tesla recalled 2,031,220 vehicles — 2012–2023 Model S, 2016–2023 Model X, 2017–2023 Model 3, and 2020–2023 Model Y — over Autosteer driver-engagement controls (NHTSA recall 23V-838), remedying them with a free over-the-air software update.
What to verify on a Tesla
- Confirm model, body, drive, and restraint identity against the vehicle and title.
- Get an independent battery-condition assessment; VIN decoding cannot measure degradation.
- Verify paid software, connectivity, charging, warranty, and account-transfer claims directly in current documentation.
- Check the exact VIN for open recalls and service campaigns through Tesla and NHTSA.
Which Tesla model year to avoid
Every Tesla model with several years on record, ranked year against year on NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns. The comparison is within one model only — a year is called out when it stands clear of that model’s other years.
Tesla recalls and reported problems by model year
Each page below reports the NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints on record for one Tesla model year. Model-year data narrows where to look; only a VIN lookup tells you whether a specific vehicle still has open recall work.
Tesla VIN and buyer checklist
- Match VINs on the display/vehicle, labels, title, and sales documents.
- Verify drive configuration, charging hardware, and installed physical equipment.
- Document battery condition, software entitlements, warranty, charging, and repair history.
- Inspect structural repairs and check title, damage, mileage, theft, and recalls.
What a Tesla VIN check cannot prove
- A VIN alone does not prove accident, title-brand, theft, lien, ownership, service, or complete mileage history.
- Decoded equipment can be incomplete or broad; confirm trim, options, and installed hardware on the vehicle and its documents.
- A “no open recalls” result is time-specific and is not a mechanical inspection or a promise that every past recall was completed correctly.
Sources reviewed
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- NHTSA VIN DecoderU.S. government VIN identity and manufacturer-submitted vehicle data.
- NHTSA vPICNHTSA vehicle-product information and decoding resources.
- NHTSA RecallsVIN-specific open safety recall lookup and recall campaign details.
- Tesla official websiteTesla manufacturer resource
- 49 CFR Part 565 - Vehicle Identification Number requirementseCFR, U.S. Government Publishing Office
Tesla VIN check questions
What can a Tesla VIN tell me?
A valid 17-character Tesla VIN can identify the vehicle and may return manufacturer-submitted attributes such as model year, model, body class, engine, drive type, or restraint details. Returned fields vary, so compare them with the vehicle and title instead of treating every blank as a defect.
Can a VIN check confirm the exact Tesla trim and options?
Not always. NHTSA decoding can return useful factory identity data, but exact packages, optional equipment, and later modifications may require the original window sticker, build record, dealer documentation, or a physical inspection.
Does a Tesla VIN check include recall information?
VIN identity and recall status are separate checks. Use NHTSA’s recall lookup and Tesla’s official owner or recall resources, because recall status can change and some newly announced campaigns may not appear immediately.
What should I verify for this Tesla?
Match VINs on the display/vehicle, labels, title, and sales documents. Verify drive configuration, charging hardware, and installed physical equipment. Document battery condition, software entitlements, warranty, charging, and repair history. Inspect structural repairs and check title, damage, mileage, theft, and recalls.
How do I check if my Tesla has open recalls by VIN?
Use Tesla's own VIN recall search at service.tesla.com/vin-recall-search or NHTSA's lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Tesla's December 2023 Autopilot recall (NHTSA 23V-838) covered over 2 million vehicles and was fixed through a free over-the-air software update.
What does a Tesla VIN starting with 5YJ mean?
NHTSA registers 5YJ to Tesla, Inc. for passenger cars; US-built examples use it. Tesla SUVs have used 7SA, trucks 7G2, and the original Roadster an SFZ prefix. Confirm a particular Tesla's assembly plant from its complete VIN rather than its first three characters alone. This is a common registered or decoded pattern, not standalone proof of final assembly; confirm the specific vehicle’s complete NHTSA plant fields and manufacturer records.