A Buick Enclave VIN opens with 5GA (the United States). Position 11, the plant, shows 3 codes, most often J (99%); a 2026 Enclave carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 29 recall campaigns and 2,292 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Buick Enclave VIN
Here is a real 2026 Buick Enclave VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 5GAERAKS0TJ270524 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Where Buick Enclave VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 154 Buick Enclave VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5GA | United States | — | 154 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the Buick Enclave
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Buick Enclave has not yet outlived: its 20 years still map one-to-one. All 20 model years of the Buick Enclave, 2007 to 2026, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T | — |
| 2025 | S | — |
| 2024 | R | — |
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Buick Enclave VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 154 VINs the Buick Enclave uses 9 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | E (56%) · K (42%) · L (3%) | 3 distinct |
| 5 — series | V (60%) · R (40%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | D (45%) · W (38%) · S (16%) · 7 (1%) | 4 distinct |
What a decoded Buick Enclave VIN gets you
Behind a Buick Enclave VIN: 2,292 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 29 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 2,292 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 14 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 20 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Buick Enclave
A Buick Enclave VIN normally opens with 5GA; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Buick Enclave VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 29 recall campaigns and 2,292 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Buick Enclave.
What year is my Enclave by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Enclave carries T, a 2025 Enclave carries S, a 2024 Enclave carries R.
Where was my Enclave built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 2,291 dated Buick Enclave VINs it reads J 99%, 1 1%, B 0%.
What does position 4 mean on a Buick Enclave VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 154 Buick Enclave VINs here, E is the most common character in position 4, on 56% of them.
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