A Lexus HS VIN opens with JTH (Japan). A 2012 HS carries C in position 10.
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How to read a Lexus HS VIN
Here is a real 2011 Lexus HS VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JTHBB1BAXB2047069 — 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 Lexus HS VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 10 Lexus HS 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JTH | Japan | — | 10 |
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 Lexus HS
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Lexus HS has not yet outlived: its 3 years still map one-to-one. All 3 model years of the Lexus HS, 2010 to 2012, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Lexus HS VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 10 VINs the Lexus HS uses 3 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | B (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | B (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | A (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Lexus HS VIN gets you
What a decoded VIN opens up:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 7 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 34 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 3 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Lexus HS
A Lexus HS VIN normally opens with JTH; 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 Lexus HS VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 7 recall campaigns NHTSA holds on the Lexus HS.
What year is my HS by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2012 HS carries C, a 2011 HS carries B, a 2010 HS carries A.
What does position 4 mean on a Lexus HS VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 10 Lexus HS VINs here, B is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
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