Decode a Peterbilt VIN
How to read a Peterbilt VIN (position by position)
Every Peterbilt built for North America since 1981 carries a 17-character VIN. The first three characters are the WMI: NHTSA's vPIC lists 7 WMIs used on Peterbilt vehicles, such as 1NP, 1XP and 2NP.
| Position | Part | On a Peterbilt VIN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of manufacture | 1, 2, 3, S (the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom) |
| 1–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) | 1NP, 1XP, 2NP, 2XP, 3BP, 3WP and 1 more |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor | Peterbilt's own codes for model, body, engine and restraints |
| 9 | Check digit | Calculated from the other 16 characters |
| 10 | Model year | G (2016) to S (2025) for current Peterbilt models |
| 11 | Plant | Peterbilt plant code (the decoder names the plant) |
| 12–17 | Serial number | Peterbilt's production sequence |
Peterbilt WMI codes
Peterbilt WMIs point to 4 countries of manufacture: the United States (1NP, 1XP), Canada (2NP, 2XP), Mexico (3BP, 3WP) and the United Kingdom (SBV). 1 of them is shared with sister brands, so the WMI alone doesn't always tell you the make. vPIC registers Peterbilt WMIs for incomplete vehicle and truck vehicle types.
| WMI | Manufacturer | Country | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NP | PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY | UNITED STATES (USA) | Incomplete Vehicle |
| 1XP | PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY | UNITED STATES (USA) | Truck |
| 2NP | PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY | CANADA | Incomplete Vehicle |
| 2XP | PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY | CANADA | Truck |
| 3BP | PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY | MEXICO | Incomplete Vehicle |
| 3WP | PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY | MEXICO | Truck |
| SBV | PACCAR INC. (also Kenworth) | UNITED KINGDOM (UK) | Incomplete Vehicle |
The plant code (11th character) is defined by Peterbilt itself, and vPIC does not publish a list of them; the decoder above shows the plant city and country for any Peterbilt VIN.
Peterbilt model year codes
The 10th character gives the model year: a 2023 Peterbilt 587 carries P, a 2025 Peterbilt 589 carries S and a 2023 Peterbilt Medium Duty COE carries P. The letters repeat every 30 years.
Full VIN year chart, 1980–2039 →
Where to find the VIN on a Peterbilt
- On the VIN plate inside the driver-side door frame or on the door edge.
- Stamped on the frame rail, usually the right-hand rail near the front axle.
- On the title, registration and insurance documents.
- On the Peterbilt cab's information label; some models also show it on the dashboard.
Peterbilt recalls
NHTSA lists 379 Peterbilt vehicle recall campaigns across the 2008–2024 model years (counting each campaign once per model year). The 2015 model year has the most, with 29; 2020–2024 models account for 107.
| Model year | Campaigns |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2008 | 27 |
Peterbilt models in vPIC
vPIC lists 33 Peterbilt models for the 2016–2025 model years.
- 210 2016–2023
- 220 2016–2025
- 320 2016–2023
- 325 2016–2025
- 330 2016–2025
- 335 2016–2025
- 337 2016–2025
- 340 2016–2023
- 348 2016–2025
- 357 2016–2023
- 362 2016–2023
- 363 2016–2023
- 365 2016–2025
- 367 2016–2025
- 378 2016–2023
- 379 2016–2023
- 382 2016–2023
- 384 2016–2023
- 385 2016–2023
- 386 2016–2023
- 387 2016–2023
- 388 2016–2023
- 389 2016–2025
- 520 2017–2025
- 535 2022–2025
- 536 2022–2025
- 537 2023–2025
- 548 2024–2025
- 567 2016–2025
- 579 2016–2025
- 587 2016–2023
- 589 2022–2025
- Medium Duty COE 2016–2023
FAQ
How do I tell the year of a Peterbilt by its VIN?
Read the 10th character: on Peterbilt models from 2016 to 2025 it runs from G to S (L = 2020, R = 2024). The same letters were used 30 years earlier.
What does a Peterbilt VIN tell you?
The maker and country (characters 1–3), model, body and engine (4–8), a check digit (9), the model year (10), the plant (11) and the serial number (12–17). It does not record color, options or accident history.
Can I find a Peterbilt paint code from the VIN?
Usually not: the paint code isn't part of the VIN. It's printed on the vehicle's information label, often in the driver's door jamb, and a Peterbilt dealer can look it up from the VIN.