Most Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VINs open with JA3 (Japan, 2003–2015). Position 11, the plant, reads U; a 2015 Lancer Evolution carries F in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 14 recall campaigns and 169 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN
Here is a real 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JA32W5FV2FU009614 — 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. |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution we have on record, from 2003 to 2015, opens with the same three characters, JA3:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA3 | 2003–2015 | Japan | Passenger Car |
Counted from 168 dated Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has not yet outlived: its 12 years still map one-to-one. All 12 model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 2003 to 2015, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 13 VINs the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution uses 8 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | A (62%) · 2 (38%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | H (54%) · W (46%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | V (46%) · D (23%) · F (15%) · C (15%) | 4 distinct |
What a decoded Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN gets you
Behind a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN: 169 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 14 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 169 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 19 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 12 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN normally opens with JA3; 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 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 14 recall campaigns and 169 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
What year is my Lancer Evolution by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2015 Lancer Evolution carries F, a 2014 Lancer Evolution carries E, a 2013 Lancer Evolution carries D.
Where was my Lancer Evolution built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 169 dated Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VINs it reads U 99%.
What does position 4 mean on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 13 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VINs here, A is the most common character in position 4, on 62% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JA3. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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