Buick is a division of General Motors (GM) an American automobile manufacturer. It was one of the first mass produced American automobiles, Buick helped establish General Motors in 1908. Before the establishment of General Motors, GM founder William C. Durant had served as Buick’s general manager and major investor. Interestingly Buick was the first production automobile maker in the world to equip its cars with overhead valve engines, which it did in 1904. Eventually all other manufacturers followed their lead. For much of its existence in the North American market, Buick has been marketed as a premium automobile brand, selling larger luxury vehicles positioned above GM’s mainstream brands.
How to Decode a Buick VIN
The Buick VIN can be found at various locations on the car.
Typically you can find the VIN number in one of the following locations:
- on the driver’s side door jam (sometimes on the passenger’s side)
- under the windshield on the driver’s side
- near the firewall of the vehicle or on the steering column
Buick uses the standard 17 character VINs from 1981 to present.
Position 1
This position of the VIN is used to identify the country or final assembly point of the Buick. Buick vehicles are manufactured in several countries such as United States, Canada, Korea and Germany.
- 1 – USA
- 2 – Canada
- 3 – Mexico
- 4 – USA
- 5 – USA
- K – Korea
- W – Ger
Position 2
- This is the number that is used to identify the Buick manufacturer.
Position 3
This provides information on the brand division. This number makes it possible to point out the exact division of the manufacturer in cases where they have multiple divisions.
The first three positions are also known as the World Make Identifiers (WMI). Some of the examples for your Buick may be as follows:
- BUICK 1G4 GM (USA) GM 1G USA
- BUICK 2G4 GM (CAN) GM 2G Canada
- BUICK 3G4 GM (MEX) GM 3G Mexico
- BUICK 5GA GM (USA) GM 5G USA
- BUICK KL4 GM-DAT (KOR) GM KL Korea
- BUICK LSG Shanghai General Motors Corp Ltd (CHN) GM LS China
- BUICK W04 Adam Opel AG (PL) GM W0 Poland
Position 4 – 5
Position four through five are used to identify the model of your Buick as well as its execution.
- B_ – LeSabre (until 1985)
- B_ – Roadmaster (1991 … 1996)
- B_ – Electra Estate Wagon (1980 … 1989)
- B_ – LeSabre Estate Wagon (1980 … 1989)
- B_ – Roadmaster Estate Wagon (1991 … 1996)
- CU – Avenue General Description Ultra Park then
- CW – Avenue General Description Park then
- G_ – LeSabre (2000 …)
- G1 – LaCrosse 1SV
- G2 – the Regal 1SV
- G3 – the Regal the Sport the Touring
- G4 – the Sport LaCrosse the Touring
- G8 – the Regal (for export )
- G9 – LaCrosse (export)
- GA – LaCrosse Base
- GB – LaCrosse Leather
- GC – LaCrosse Leather AWD
- GD – LaCrosse Premium
- GE – LaCrosse Premium AWD
- GF – LaCrosse Touring
- GK – Regal Leather
- GL – Regal Leather AWD
- GM – Regal Fleet
- GN – Regal I w Premium / eAssist
- GP – Regal Premium I
- GR – Regal Premium I AWD
- GS – Regal Premium II
- GT – Regal Premium II AWD
- GU – Regal GS
- GV – Regal GS AWD
- HP – Le Sabre Custom (1986 … 1999)
- HR – le Sabre Limited (1986 … 1999)
- the P1 – the Verano Base
- PP – the Verano 1SD
- PR – the Verano Convenience 1SG
- PS – the Verano Leather A 1SL
- PT – the Verano Premium 1ST (Turbo)
- PV – the Verano 1SV
- PW – the Verano the Sport the Touring
- WB – the Regal the LS
- WC – Lacrosse (Allure in Canada) the CX
- WF – the Regal the GS
- WG – Cascada 1SV (PL) (code of the WMI = W04)
- WH – Cascada (PL) (the WMI = W04 code)
- WS – Century Custom
Position 6 – Body Variant
Position 6 indicates the body variance of your Cadillac vehicle. These may be as shown below:
- 1 – 2 door compartment
- 2 – 2 door Sedan
- 3 – 2 door Convertible
- 5 – 4 door Sedan
- 6 – 4 door Sedan, Hatchback
- 8 – 5 door wagon/ hatch
- 9 – touring
Position 7 – Security Systems
This number identifies the Security Systems that make up your Buick.
- 1 – Seat belts
- 2 – Seat belts and dual front airbags
- 3 – Seat belts and driver’s airbag
- 4 – Safety belts. Front and side airbags
- 5 – Seat belts. Front and side driver’s airbag
- 6 – Seat belts. Front and side airbags. Occupancy sensor passenger
- 7 – Seat belts. Front and side airbags. Side airbags for the rear seats
- 9 – Static seat belts (only very old model)
Position 8 – Engine
This position identifies the engine specifications of your Buick. Some of these engine specifications are as shown below:
- 1 – 3.8L V6 (L67)
- 2 – 1.3L L4 (LY8)
- 3 – 3.6L V6 (LFX)
- 4 – 2.2L L4 (LN2)
- 5 – 1.6L L4 (LWC)
- 6 – 2.2L L4 (L42)
- 8 – 1.8L L4 (LV6)
- 9 – 4.6L V8 (L37)
- A – 2.3L L4 (LG0)
- C – 4.0L V8 (L47)
- D – 2.3L L4 (LD2)
- E – 3.4L V6 (LA1)
- E – V8 5.0L (L03)
- F – 2.2L L4 (L61)
- F – 5.0L V8 (LB9)
- G – 5.7L V8 (LS1)
- H – 5.0L V8 (LX5)
- H – 5.0L V8 (LG4)
- J – 3.1L V6 (LG8)
- K – 2.4L L4 (LEA)
- K – 3.8L V6 (L36)
- L – 1.8L L4 (LNK)
- M – 1.4L L4 (L95)
- M – 2.6L V6 (LY9)
- N – 3.2L V6 ( LA3)
- P – 2.0L L4 (LSJ)
- P – 5.7L V8
- R – 2.4L L4 (LUK)
- R – 3.0L V6 (L81)
- S – 5.7L V8 (LS6)
- S – 2.8L V6 (LB8)
- T – 2.4 L4 L (LD9)
- U – 6.0L V8 (LS2)
- V – 2.0L L4 (LHU, Turbo)
- W – 4.3L L6
- X – 2.0L L4 (LTG, Turbo)
- Y – 4.6L V8 (LD8)
Position 9 – Check Sum
- Position nine is known as the check number, and is used to validate the Buick VIN.
Position 10 – Model Year
The tenth position of the VIN identifies the production year your Buick model.
| Year of Issue | Designation | Year of Issue | Designation | Year of Issue | Designation |
|
1971 |
1 |
1991 |
M |
2011 |
B |
|
1972 |
2 |
1992 |
N |
2012 |
C |
|
1973 |
3 |
1993 |
P |
2013 |
D |
|
1974 |
4 |
1994 |
R |
2014 |
E |
|
1975 |
5 |
1995 |
S |
2015 |
F |
|
1976 |
6 |
1996 |
T |
2016 |
G |
|
1977 |
7 |
1997 |
V |
2017 |
H |
|
1978 |
8 |
1998 |
W |
2018 |
J |
|
1979 |
9 |
1999 |
X |
2019 |
K |
|
1980 |
A |
2000 |
Y |
2020 |
L |
|
1981 |
B |
2001 |
1 |
2021 |
M |
|
1982 |
C |
2002 |
2 |
2022 |
N |
|
1983 |
D |
2003 |
3 |
2023 |
P |
|
1984 |
E |
2004 |
4 |
2024 |
R |
|
1985 |
F |
2005 |
5 |
2025 |
S |
|
1986 |
G |
2006 |
6 |
2026 |
T |
|
1987 |
H |
2007 |
7 |
2027 |
V |
|
1988 |
J |
2008 |
8 |
2028 |
W |
|
1989 |
K |
2009 |
9 |
2029 |
X |
|
1990 |
L |
2010 |
A |
2030 |
Y |
Position 11 – Assembly Plant
Position 11 identifies the plant where your Buick was assembled. This number makes it possible to identify the exact plant of assembly for those manufacturers who have a number of plants. Some of Buick plans are as follows:
0 – Lansing – Grand River, MI ( USA)
1 – Oshawa # 2, ON (CAN)
4 – Orion, MI (USA)
5 – Bowling Green, KY (USA)
7 – Lordstown, OH (USA)
9 – Oshawa # 1, ON (CAN)
A – Arlington, TX (USA)
C – Changwon (KOREA)
F – Fairfax, KS (USA)
G – Gliwice (POLAND)
L – Elizabeth (AUS)
L – San Luis Potosi (MEX )
S – Ramoz Arizpe (the MEX)
U – The Detroit, MI (USA)
X – not for sale (USA)
Position 12-17 – Serial Number
This sequence of six numbers are known as the Buick’s serial number. The serial number identifies the exact car that holds the VIN, and it is not standardized. These characters are selected depending on the manufacturer’s preference.
BUICK VIN NUMBER LOCATION
The Buick VIN numbers can be located in a number of places on the vehicle. These area are as follows:
Stamped on the upper left side of the engine near the carburetor.
Die-stamped on the upper left side of the engine at the number one cylinder.
Usually stamped directly into the frame or on a tag attached to the frame.
Stamped on a plate attached to the top of the right frame side rail, and located ahead of the front body bracket.
Stamped on the crankcase at the front end of the block just forward of the right cylinder head.
BUICK MODELS
Buick Encore
Buick Verano
Buick Cascada
Buick Enclave
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
Buick Century
Buick LeSabre
Buick Lucerne
Buick Model 21
Buick Model 26
Buick Model 32
Buick Model 33
Buick Model 38
Buick Model 39
Buick Model 41
Buick Park Avenue
Buick Rainier
Buick Reatta
Buick Rendezvous
Buick Riviera
Buick Super Riviera
Buick Roadmaster
Buick Skylark
Buick Terraza
OPTIONS AND FEATURE CODES
|
Option |
Description |
|
5XQ |
LPO, 19″ (48.3 cm) machine-faced aluminum wheels |
| Memory settings | |
|
A51 |
Seats, front bucket |
|
A6C |
Seat adjuster, passenger, 4-way manual, 2-way power vertical |
|
AE2 |
Trunk latch, safety |
|
AEF |
Window, power |
|
AEQ |
Windows, power |
|
AG1 |
Seat adjuster, driver 8-way power |
|
AG2 |
Seat adjuster, front passenger 8-way power |
|
AHR |
Head restraints, 4-way adjustable |
|
AKX |
Windshield, solar absorbing |
|
AL0 |
Air bag, Passenger Sensing System |
|
AP9 |
Cargo net |
|
APG |
Seat adjuster, driver 4-way power lumbar |
|
AQQ |
Remote Keyless Entry |
|
ASV |
Sensor, humidity |
|
ATH |
E-Z Key Passive Entry System |
|
AW7 |
Air bags, dual-stage frontal and side-impact, driver and right-front passenger |
|
AXG |
Window, power |
|
B34 |
Floor mats, carpeted front |
|
B35 |
Floor mats, carpeted rear |
|
B7Y |
Sill plates, front |
|
B85 |
Moldings, body side |
|
BTM |
Keyless start |
|
BTV |
Remote vehicle starter system |
|
C3U |
Moon roof, power |
|
C59 |
Air vents, rear |
|
CAV |
LPO, Cargo tray |
|
CJ2 |
Air conditioning, dual-zone automatic climate control |
|
D70 |
Axle, 2.77 final drive ratio |
|
D7B |
Door handles, body-color |
|
DA5 |
Armrest, rear center |
|
DB3 |
Sunshade, power |
|
DD8 |
Mirror, inside rearview auto-dimming |
|
DH6 |
Visors, driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors |
|
DLF |
Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable |
|
DLG |
Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable |
|
F45 |
Chassis continuously variable real time damping |
|
F46 |
Drivetrain, all-wheel drive |
|
FE9 |
Emissions, Federal requirements |
|
FX3 |
StabiliTrak, stability control system |
|
FXJ |
Axle, 2.64 final drive ratio |
|
G96 |
Differential, electronic limited slip |
|
GNA |
Suspension, front |
|
GNB |
Suspension, front |
|
GNC |
Suspension, rear 4-link |
|
GNE |
Suspension, rear H-arm |
| Audio system, Buick IntelliLink Radio, AM/FM stereo and CD player | |
|
IO6 |
Audio system, Buick IntelliLink Radio with Navigation, AM/FM stereo and CD player |
|
J60 |
Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc |
|
J61 |
Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc |
|
J71 |
Brake, parking |
|
K05 |
Engine block heater |
|
K34 |
Cruise control |
|
KA1 |
Seats, heated driver and front passenger |
|
KB5 |
Electronic Grade Braking |
|
KB7 |
Driver Shift Controls |
|
KD4 |
Power outlet, front auxiliary, 12-volt |
|
KG4 |
Alternator, 150 amps |
|
KI6 |
Power outlet, 120-volt |
|
KPA |
Power outlet, rear auxiliary, 12-volt |
|
KSG |
Cruise control, adaptive, full-speed range |
|
KTI |
Tire Inflator Kit |
|
KU1 |
Seat, ventilated driver |
|
KU3 |
Seat, ventilated passenger |
|
KY2 |
Alternator, 120 amps |
|
LFX |
Engine, 3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 VVT |
|
LUK |
Engine, ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder DI |
|
M7U |
Transmission, 6-speed automatic |
|
M7W |
Transmission, 6-speed automatic |
|
MHH |
Transmission, 6-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive |
|
MWN |
Exhaust, dual-outlet stainless-steel |
|
N37 |
Steering column, tilt and telescopic |
|
NB8 |
Emissions override, California |
|
NB9 |
Emissions override, state-specific |
|
NC7 |
Emissions override, Federal |
|
NCG |
Door locks, child security, rear |
|
NE1 |
Emissions, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state requirements |
|
NJ1 |
Steering, power |
|
NJ2 |
Steering, power |
|
NR0 |
Steering wheel, leather-wrapped |
|
NV7 |
Steering, power, variable effort |
|
NWN |
Exhaust, single-outlet stainless-steel |
|
PCI |
Driver Confidence Package #1 |
|
PCJ |
Driver Confidence Package #2 |
|
PCK |
Luxury Package |
|
PCM |
Comfort and Convenience Package #2 |
|
PCP |
Leather Package |
|
PDD |
Comfort and Convenience Package #1 |
|
PDH |
LPO, Buick Interior Protection Package |
|
PDU |
Experience Buick Package |
| Tires, P245/45R19 all-season, blackwall | |
|
Q7N |
Wheels, 20″ (50.8 cm) machine-faced Silver painted aluminum |
|
Q7W |
Wheels, 19″ (48.3 cm) machine-faced painted aluminum |
|
QCL |
Tire, compact spare, T125/70R17 |
|
QGK |
Tires, P235/50R18 all-season, blackwall |
|
R8G |
OnStar 1 Additional Year of OnStar Safe and Sound Service |
|
R8P |
OnStar 30 Additional Months of OnStar Safe and Sound Service |
|
R8W |
OnStar 2 Additional Years of OnStar Safe and Sound Service |
|
R8Y |
OnStar 1 Additional Year of OnStar Directions and Connections Service |
|
R8Z |
OnStar 2 Additional Years of OnStar Directions and Connections Service |
|
R9Y |
Fleet Free Maintenance Credit |
|
RA9 |
Tires, P225/55R17, all-season blackwall |
|
RAL |
Tires, P245/40R20 all-season, blackwall |
|
RDL |
Wheels, 17″ (43.2 cm) machine-faced Silver painted aluminum |
|
REJ |
Wheels, 19″ (48.3 cm) Silver painted aluminum |
|
REK |
Wheels, 19″ (48.3 cm) chrome aluminum |
|
REP |
Wheels, 18″ (45.7 cm) Sterling Silver painted aluminum |
|
RFG |
OnStar 30 Additional Months of OnStar Directions and Connections Service |
|
RLX |
Ultra Luxury Package |
|
ROV |
OnStar with 4G LTE for Fleet (12GB/12 months) |
|
ROW |
OnStar with 4G LTE for Fleet (24GB/24 months) |
|
RV9 |
Wheel, compact spare, 17″ (43.2 cm) steel |
|
RZI |
LPO, Fog Lamp Kit |
|
SB2 |
LPO, Rear spoiler |
|
SE4 |
LPO, 18″ (45.7 cm) 10-spoke chromed aluminum wheels |
|
SE7 |
LPO, 18″ (45.7 cm) 5 split-spoke machine-faced aluminum wheels |
|
SEJ |
LPO, 20″ (50.8 cm) aluminum wheels |
|
SFE |
LPO, Wheel Lock Kit |
|
T3U |
Fog lamps |
|
T4A |
Headlamps, halogen composite |
|
T4F |
Headlamps, high intensity discharge |
|
T61 |
Daytime Running Lamps |
|
T67 |
Battery, 70AH |
|
T83 |
Headlamp control, automatic on and off |
|
T95 |
Headlamps, articulating |
|
TM7 |
Battery, 60AH |
|
TSP |
Lighting, custom |
|
U2K |
SiriusXM Satellite Radio |
|
U65 |
Audio system feature, premium 7-speaker system |
|
U77 |
Antenna, integral rear |
|
U80 |
Compass display |
|
UD7 |
Rear Parking Assist |
|
UDT |
Audio system feature, 8″ diagonal color infotainment display |
|
UE1 |
OnStar Directions and Connections plan for 6 months |
|
UE4 |
Sensor indicator, following distance |
|
UEU |
Forward Collision Alert |
|
UFG |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert |
|
UFL |
Lane Departure Warning |
|
UG1 |
Universal Home Remote |
|
UGN |
Front Automatic Braking |
|
UHS |
Display, enhanced driver instrument information |
|
UJM |
Tire Pressure Monitor System |
|
UKC |
Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert |
|
UQS |
Audio system feature, Bose Center point Surround Sound premium 11-speaker system |
|
USR |
Audio system feature, USB port |
|
UTJ |
Theft-deterrent system |
|
UV6 |
Head-Up Display |