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Published October 16, 2026

Decoding the Model Year and Build Details From a Nissan VIN

Read the model year, assembly plant, and build details from any Nissan VIN — position 10 year codes, position 11 plant codes, and what they mean.

The 10th character of a Nissan VIN encodes the model year (T = 2026, S = 2025, R = 2024, P = 2023, N = 2022, M = 2021, L = 2020), and the 11th character encodes the assembly plant (C = Smyrna, Tennessee; N = Canton, Mississippi on recent US-built models). Together with the WMI, these two characters tell you when and where your Nissan was built, information that matters for recalls, parts, and resale.

The model year code (position 10)

The 10th VIN character is the model year, and it follows a standard 30-year cycle, letters and numbers that repeat, so the same code can mean two different years three decades apart:

Code Model year Code Model year
L 2020 A 2010 / 1980
M 2021 B 2011 / 1981
N 2022 C 2012 / 1982
P 2023 D 2013 / 1983
R 2024 E 2014 / 1984
S 2025 F 2015 / 1985
T 2026 G 2016 / 1986
V 2027 H 2017 / 1987
W 2028 J 2018 / 1988
X 2029 K 2019 / 1989

(The letters I, O, Q, U, and Z and the digit 0 are skipped in the year code.) Because codes repeat every 30 years, a VIN decoder resolves the ambiguity using the full VIN, a car with modern safety equipment and a "G" code is a 2016, not a 1986. Note that "model year" isn't the same as the calendar year the car was built: a 2025-model Rogue could have been assembled in late 2024. The door jamb label's build month and year tells you the actual assembly date.

The assembly plant code (position 11)

Position 11 identifies the factory. Nissan files its plant codes with NHTSA's vPIC system for each model year; common codes on recent Nissans include:

Code Plant
C Smyrna, Tennessee, USA
N Canton, Mississippi, USA
T Oppama, Japan
W Kyushu, Japan
X Shonan, Japan
M Tochigi, Japan
L Aguascalientes, Mexico
Y Aguascalientes 2, Mexico
K CIVAC, Mexico

Plant codes can change by model year and model line, so always decode the full VIN rather than memorizing codes. The WMI (positions 1–3) independently confirms the country: 1 = USA, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan.

Build details in the VDS (positions 4–8)

Positions 4–8, the Vehicle Descriptor Section, encode the model line, body style, engine, and restraint system. On a Nissan, these characters distinguish, for example, a 4-door Altima sedan from a Rogue crossover, a 2.5L 4-cylinder from a turbocharged engine, and the airbag configuration. Because Nissan reuses platforms across models, the VDS is the definitive way to confirm what a car actually is, more reliable than badges, which can be swapped.

Why build details matter when buying used

  • Recalls are plant- and date-specific. NHTSA recalls target vehicles built at certain plants during certain windows. Knowing the plant and build date tells you whether a recall plausibly applies before you even run the VIN.
  • Parts and trim accuracy. The VDS confirms the engine and body style, which matters when a seller advertises a higher trim than the car actually is.
  • Resale and insurance. Some buyers and insurers care about build origin; documented US-built vs. Japan-built provenance is a legitimate data point.
  • Spotting inconsistencies. A door jamb label showing a 2021 build date on a VIN whose 10th character says 2023 is a red flag for label swapping or a paperwork error, either way, investigate before buying.

Nissan VIN FAQ: model year and build

What year is my Nissan if the 10th VIN character is N?

Model year 2022 (on a modern vehicle; N also meant 1992 in the prior cycle). A full VIN decode resolves the cycle automatically.

Where was my Nissan built?

Check position 11 against Nissan's plant codes and positions 1–3 (the WMI) for the country. Common US plants are Smyrna, Tennessee (C) and Canton, Mississippi (N).

Is the model year the same as the year it was built?

Not always. The model year is a marketing and regulatory designation; the door jamb label's build month/year is the actual assembly date. A 2025 model could have been built in late 2024.

Can two Nissans have the same serial number?

The last six digits (positions 12–17) are unique within a plant and model year, so no two Nissans from the same plant and year share a full VIN.

Does the VIN tell me the exact trim?

The VDS narrows it to model line, body style, engine, and restraint system. Our free decoder translates these into the commonly used trim designation.

Conclusion

The 10th and 11th characters of your Nissan's VIN pin down when and where it was built, facts that determine recalls, parts, and value. Decode the full VIN free, verify it against the door-jamb label, and you'll know exactly what you're buying.

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