Decode a Tesla VIN
How to read a Tesla VIN (position by position)
Every Tesla built for North America since 1981 carries a 17-character VIN. The first three characters are the WMI: NHTSA's vPIC lists 4 WMIs used on Tesla vehicles, such as 5YJ, 7G2 and 7SA.
| Position | Part | On a Tesla VIN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of manufacture | 5, 7, S (the United States) |
| 1–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) | 5YJ, 7G2, 7SA, SFZ |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor | Tesla'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 Tesla models |
| 11 | Plant | Tesla plant code (the decoder names the plant) |
| 12–17 | Serial number | Tesla's production sequence |
Tesla WMI codes
Tesla WMIs point to 1 country of manufacture: the United States (5YJ, 7G2, 7SA, SFZ). vPIC registers Tesla WMIs for passenger car, truck and suv / mpv vehicle types.
| WMI | Manufacturer | Country | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5YJ | TESLA, INC. | UNITED STATES (USA) | Passenger Car |
| 7G2 | TESLA, INC. | UNITED STATES (USA) | Truck |
| 7SA | TESLA, INC. | UNITED STATES (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| SFZ | TESLA, INC. | UNITED STATES (USA) | Passenger Car |
The plant code (11th character) is defined by Tesla itself, and vPIC does not publish a list of them; the decoder above shows the plant city and country for any Tesla VIN.
Tesla model year codes
The 10th character gives the model year: a 2025 Tesla Model X carries S, a 2025 Tesla Model Y carries S and a 2025 Tesla Semi carries S. The letters repeat every 30 years.
Full VIN year chart, 1980–2039 →
Where to find the VIN on a Tesla
- 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.
Tesla recalls
NHTSA lists 274 Tesla vehicle recall campaigns across the 2008–2024 model years (counting each campaign once per model year). The 2021 model year has the most, with 38; 2020–2024 models account for 151.
| Model year | Campaigns |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
Tesla models in vPIC
vPIC lists 6 Tesla models for the 2016–2025 model years.
- Cybertruck 2024–2025
- Model 3 2017–2025
- Model S 2016–2025
- Model X 2016–2025
- Model Y 2020–2025
- Semi 2023–2025
FAQ
How do I tell the year of a Tesla by its VIN?
Read the 10th character: on Tesla 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 Tesla 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 Tesla 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 Tesla dealer can look it up from the VIN.