Decode a Ram VIN
How to read a Ram VIN (position by position)
Every Ram built for North America since 1981 carries a 17-character VIN. The first three characters are the WMI: NHTSA's vPIC lists 8 WMIs used on Ram vehicles, such as 1C4, 1C6 and 1C7.
| Position | Part | On a Ram VIN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of manufacture | 1, 3, Z (the United States, Mexico and Italy) |
| 1–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) | 1C4, 1C6, 1C7, 3C4, 3C6, 3C7 and 2 more |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor | Ram'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 Ram models |
| 11 | Plant | Ram plant code (the decoder names the plant) |
| 12–17 | Serial number | Ram's production sequence |
Ram WMI codes
Ram WMIs point to 3 countries of manufacture: the United States (1C4, 1C6, 1C7, ZAC), Mexico (3C4, 3C6, 3C7) and Italy (ZFB). 8 of them are shared with sister brands, so the WMI alone doesn't always tell you the make. vPIC registers Ram WMIs for suv / mpv, truck and incomplete vehicle vehicle types.
| WMI | Manufacturer | Country | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1C4 | FCA US LLC (also Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia) | UNITED STATES (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| 1C6 | FCA US LLC (also Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia) | UNITED STATES (USA) | Truck |
| 1C7 | FCA US LLC (also Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia) | UNITED STATES (USA) | Incomplete Vehicle |
| 3C4 | CHRYSLER DE MEXICO TOLUCA (also Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia) | MEXICO | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| 3C6 | CHRYSLER DE MEXICO TOLUCA (also Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia) | MEXICO | Truck |
| 3C7 | CHRYSLER DE MEXICO TOLUCA (also Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia) | MEXICO | Incomplete Vehicle |
| ZAC | STELLANTIS EUROPE SPA (also Dodge, Jeep, Fiat) | UNITED STATES (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| ZFB | STELLANTIS EUROPE SPA (also Jeep, Fiat) | ITALY | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
The plant code (11th character) is defined by Ram itself, and vPIC does not publish a list of them; the decoder above shows the plant city and country for any Ram VIN.
Ram model year codes
The 10th character gives the model year: a 2025 Ram ProMaster 2500 carries S, a 2025 Ram ProMaster 3500 carries S and a 2022 Ram Promaster City carries N. The letters repeat every 30 years.
Full VIN year chart, 1980–2039 →
Where to find the VIN on a Ram
- On the dashboard, at the base of the windshield on the driver side (read it from outside).
- On the label in the driver-side door jamb.
- On the title, registration and insurance card.
- Often stamped on the engine bay firewall or the frame.
Ram recalls
NHTSA lists 395 Ram vehicle recall campaigns across the 2008–2024 model years (counting each campaign once per model year). The 2019 model year has the most, with 52; 2020–2024 models account for 133.
| Model year | Campaigns |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2016 | 37 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
Ram models in vPIC
vPIC lists 11 Ram models for the 2016–2025 model years. Linked models have year-by-year pages with EPA mpg, owner complaints and recalls.
- 1500 2016–2025
- 2500 2016–2025
- 3500 2016–2025
- 4000 2016–2023
- 4500 2016–2025
- 5500 2016–2025
- Cargo Van 2016
- ProMaster 1500 2016–2025
- ProMaster 2500 2016–2025
- ProMaster 3500 2016–2025
- Promaster City 2016–2022
FAQ
How do I tell the year of a Ram by its VIN?
Read the 10th character: on Ram 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 Ram 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 Ram 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 Ram dealer can look it up from the VIN.