A Dodge Shadow VIN opens with 3B3 (Mexico). Position 11, the plant, shows 3 codes, most often N (87%); a 1994 Shadow carries R in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 12 recall campaigns and 333 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Dodge Shadow VIN
Here is a real 1994 Dodge Shadow VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1B3AP64KXRN111459 — 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 Dodge Shadow VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 2 Dodge Shadow 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B3 | Mexico | — | 1 | |
| 1B3 | United States | — | 1 |
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 Dodge Shadow
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Dodge Shadow has not yet outlived: its 8 years still map one-to-one. All 8 model years of the Dodge Shadow, 1987 to 1994, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | R | — |
| 1993 | P | — |
| 1992 | N | — |
| 1991 | M | — |
| 1990 | L | — |
| 1989 | K | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Dodge Shadow VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 2 VINs the Dodge Shadow uses 4 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | X (50%) · A (50%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | P (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | K (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Dodge Shadow VIN gets you
Behind a Dodge Shadow VIN: 333 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 12 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 333 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 8 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Dodge Shadow
A Dodge Shadow VIN normally opens with 3B3; 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 Dodge Shadow VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 12 recall campaigns and 333 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Dodge Shadow.
What year is my Shadow by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 1994 Shadow carries R, a 1993 Shadow carries P, a 1992 Shadow carries N.
Where was my Shadow built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 329 dated Dodge Shadow VINs it reads N 87%, T 11%, M 1%.
What does position 4 mean on a Dodge Shadow VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 2 Dodge Shadow VINs here, X is the most common character in position 4, on 50% of them.
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