A Chevrolet Traverse VIN opens with 1GN (the United States). Position 11, the plant, shows 8 codes, most often J (86%); a 2026 Traverse carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 32 recall campaigns and 5,112 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Chevrolet Traverse VIN
Here is a real 2027 Chevrolet Traverse VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1GBERGKS0VJ146262 — 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 Chevrolet Traverse VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 304 Chevrolet Traverse 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GN | United States | — | 300 | |
| 1GB | United States | — | 4 |
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 Chevrolet Traverse
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Chevrolet Traverse has not yet outlived: its 18 years still map one-to-one. All 18 model years of the Chevrolet Traverse, 2009 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 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Chevrolet Traverse VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 304 VINs the Chevrolet Traverse uses 8 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | E (80%) · K (20%) · L (1%) | 3 distinct |
| 5 — series | V (57%) · R (43%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | W (44%) · S (35%) · D (21%) | 3 distinct |
What a decoded Chevrolet Traverse VIN gets you
Behind a Chevrolet Traverse VIN: 5,112 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 32 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 5,112 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 16 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 18 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Chevrolet Traverse
A Chevrolet Traverse VIN normally opens with 1GN; 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 Chevrolet Traverse VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 32 recall campaigns and 5,112 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Chevrolet Traverse.
What year is my Traverse by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Traverse carries T, a 2025 Traverse carries S, a 2024 Traverse carries R.
Where was my Traverse built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 5,101 dated Chevrolet Traverse VINs it reads J 86%, S 14%, 1 0%, 5 0% and 4 rarer codes.
What does position 4 mean on a Chevrolet Traverse VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 304 Chevrolet Traverse VINs here, E is the most common character in position 4, on 80% of them.
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