A Lexus IS VIN opens with JTH (Japan). Position 11, the plant, reads 5; a 2026 IS carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 21 recall campaigns and 47 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Lexus IS VIN
Here is a real 2026 Lexus IS VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JTHGZ1E24T5048370 — 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 IS VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 265 Lexus IS 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 | — | 266 |
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 IS
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Lexus IS has not yet outlived: its 26 years still map one-to-one. All 26 model years of the Lexus IS, 2001 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 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Lexus IS VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 265 VINs the Lexus IS uses 13 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | B (34%) · G (26%) · C (24%) · F (8%) · A (6%) · D (2%) | 6 distinct |
| 5 — series | Z (30%) · F (18%) · E (14%) · K (12%) · A (11%) · 8 (5%) | 6 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 2 (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Lexus IS VIN gets you
Behind a Lexus IS VIN: 47 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 21 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 47 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 22 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 6 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 26 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Lexus IS
A Lexus IS 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 IS VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 21 recall campaigns and 47 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Lexus IS.
What year is my IS by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 IS carries T, a 2025 IS carries S, a 2024 IS carries R.
Where was my IS built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 47 dated Lexus IS VINs it reads 5 98%.
What does position 4 mean on a Lexus IS VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 265 Lexus IS VINs here, B is the most common character in position 4, on 34% of them.
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