A Cadillac XLR VIN opens with 1G6 (the United States). Position 11, the plant, reads 5; a 2009 XLR carries 9 in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 5 recall campaigns and 76 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Cadillac XLR VIN
Here is a real 2009 Cadillac XLR VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1G6YV36A695600689 — 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 XLR VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 19 Cadillac XLR 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 | — | 19 |
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 XLR
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Cadillac XLR has not yet outlived: its 7 years still map one-to-one. All 7 model years of the Cadillac XLR, 2003 to 2009, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Cadillac XLR VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 19 VINs the Cadillac XLR uses 5 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | Y (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | V (89%) · X (11%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | A (89%) · D (11%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Cadillac XLR VIN gets you
Behind a Cadillac XLR VIN: 76 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 5 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 76 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 18 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 7 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Cadillac XLR
A Cadillac XLR 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 XLR VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 5 recall campaigns and 76 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Cadillac XLR.
What year is my XLR by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2009 XLR carries 9, a 2008 XLR carries 8, a 2007 XLR carries 7.
Where was my XLR built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 76 dated Cadillac XLR VINs it reads 5 96%.
What does position 4 mean on a Cadillac XLR VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 19 Cadillac XLR VINs here, Y is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
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