The engine is part of the VIN's descriptor section (characters 4 to 8). On most Ford, GM and Stellantis vehicles the 8th character on its own is the engine code; other makers encode the engine together with the model across those positions. The quickest way to read it is to decode the full VIN.
Decode a VIN now with NHTSA data →
Which VIN character is the engine code
| Makers | Engine code |
|---|---|
| Ford, Lincoln | 8th character |
| Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac | 8th character |
| Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram | 8th character |
| Most Japanese, Korean and European makers | Combined with model and body codes in characters 4–8 |
Example: in the VIN 1FTFW1EF6CK900001 (a made-up serial on a real 2012 F-150 pattern), the 8th character is F. NHTSA's vPIC decodes this VIN to a 5.0-liter, 8-cylinder engine.
Decode yours
Paste the VIN into the free VIN decoder. It returns the engine size in liters, cylinder count and, where the maker supplies it, horsepower and fuel type from NHTSA's vPIC database, so you don't need to know which character each maker uses.
Engine code vs engine number
Parts stores ask for the engine code to match filters, belts and gaskets; that comes from the VIN. The engine's own serial number is stamped on the block and matters mainly after an engine replacement or for a classic car's "numbers matching" check.
FAQ
Which digit of the VIN is the engine?
On most Ford, GM and Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) vehicles it is the 8th character. Many other makers spread the engine across positions 4 to 8 together with the model, so no single character identifies it.
Is the engine code the same as the engine serial number?
No. The VIN's engine code says which engine type was fitted. The engine block carries its own serial number, which is what you would check after an engine swap.
Can a VIN tell me if the engine was replaced?
No. The VIN records the engine the vehicle was built with. Compare the engine type under the hood, and any numbers stamped on the block, with what the VIN decodes to.