Most Nissan 370Z VINs open with JN1 (Japan, 2009–2019). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often M (97%); a 2022 370Z carries N in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 2 recall campaigns and 316 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Nissan 370Z VIN
Here is a real 2020 Nissan 370Z VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JN1AZ4EH3LM820816 — 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. |
Nissan 370Z VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Nissan 370Z we have on record, from 2009 to 2019, opens with the same three characters, JN1:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1 | 2009–2019 | Japan | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Nissan 370Z it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | 2009–2019 | 308 | |
| C | 2012–2018 | 3 |
Counted from 313 dated Nissan 370Z VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Nissan 370Z
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Nissan 370Z has not yet outlived: its 14 years still map one-to-one. All 14 model years of the Nissan 370Z, 2009 to 2022, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Nissan 370Z VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 39 VINs the Nissan 370Z uses 4 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | A (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | Z (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | H (92%) · E (8%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Nissan 370Z VIN gets you
Behind a Nissan 370Z VIN: 316 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 2 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 316 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 22 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 14 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Nissan 370Z
A Nissan 370Z VIN normally opens with JN1; 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 Nissan 370Z VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 2 recall campaigns and 316 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Nissan 370Z.
What year is my 370Z by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2022 370Z carries N, a 2021 370Z carries M, a 2020 370Z carries L.
Where was my 370Z built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 316 dated Nissan 370Z VINs it reads M 97%, C 1%.
What does position 4 mean on a Nissan 370Z VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 39 Nissan 370Z VINs here, A is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Nissan 370Z check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JN1. 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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