Most Nissan NV VINs open with 5BZ (the United States, 2013–2019), 1N6 (the United States, 2013–2019) or 3N6 (Mexico, 2013–2014). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often N (95%); a 2026 NV carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 8 recall campaigns and 38 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Nissan NV VIN
Here is a real 2021 Nissan NV VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 5BZAF0AA7MN850579 — 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 NV VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Nissan NV VINs on record carry 3 different prefixes. The main one is 5BZ (the United States, 2013–2019), then 1N6 (the United States, 2013–2019):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5BZ | 2013–2019 | United States | Bus | |
| 1N6 | 2013–2019 | United States | Truck | |
| 3N6 | 2013–2014 | Mexico | Truck |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Nissan NV it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | 2013–2019 | 36 | |
| K | 2013–2014 | 2 |
Counted from 38 dated Nissan NV VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Nissan NV
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Nissan NV has not yet outlived: its 16 years still map one-to-one. All 16 model years of the Nissan NV, 2011 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 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Nissan NV VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 13 VINs the Nissan NV uses 6 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | A (69%) · B (31%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | F (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | Y (54%) · A (31%) · M (15%) | 3 distinct |
What a decoded Nissan NV VIN gets you
Behind a Nissan NV VIN: 38 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 8 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 38 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 25 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 16 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Nissan NV
A Nissan NV VIN normally opens with 1N6; 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 NV VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 8 recall campaigns and 38 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Nissan NV.
Why does my NV VIN start differently from another NV?
Because the Nissan NV was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Nissan NV VINs on record we see 3 of them: 5BZ (2013–2019), 1N6 (2013–2019), 3N6 (2013–2014). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my NV by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 NV carries T, a 2025 NV carries S, a 2024 NV carries R.
Where was my NV built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 38 dated Nissan NV VINs it reads N 95%, K 5%.
What does position 4 mean on a Nissan NV VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 13 Nissan NV VINs here, A is the most common character in position 4, on 69% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Nissan NV check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with 5BZ, 1N6 or 3N6. 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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