A Cadillac STS VIN opens with 1G6 (the United States). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often 0 (95%); a 2011 STS carries B in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 6 recall campaigns and 342 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Cadillac STS VIN
Here is a real 2010 Cadillac STS VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1G6DU6EA5A0103901 — 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 Cadillac STS VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 16 Cadillac STS 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G6 | United States | — | 16 |
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 Cadillac STS
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Cadillac STS has not yet outlived: its 7 years still map one-to-one. All 7 model years of the Cadillac STS, 2005 to 2011, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Cadillac STS VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 16 VINs the Cadillac STS uses 11 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | D (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | C (38%) · W (19%) · Z (19%) · X (13%) · L (6%) · U (6%) | 6 distinct |
| 8 — engine | A (69%) · D (13%) · V (13%) · 7 (6%) | 4 distinct |
What a decoded Cadillac STS VIN gets you
Behind a Cadillac STS VIN: 342 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 6 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 342 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 19 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 7 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Cadillac STS
A Cadillac STS VIN normally opens with 1G6; 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 Cadillac STS VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 6 recall campaigns and 342 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Cadillac STS.
What year is my STS by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2011 STS carries B, a 2010 STS carries A, a 2009 STS carries 9.
Where was my STS built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 342 dated Cadillac STS VINs it reads 0 95%, U 4%.
What does position 4 mean on a Cadillac STS VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 16 Cadillac STS VINs here, D is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
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