position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often Y (97%). Decoding one also brings up 6 recall campaigns and 303 owner complaints from NHTSA.
Got a VIN from another make? The free VIN decoder reads any 17-character VIN, whatever built it.
How to read a Saturn LS VIN
Every Saturn LS VIN follows the same 17-character layout:
| 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. |
What a decoded Saturn LS VIN gets you
Behind a Saturn LS VIN: 303 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 6 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 303 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 22 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
Where to find the VIN on a Saturn LS
Four places on a Saturn LS carry it, and all four must read the same — a mismatch is where fraud shows itself first.
| 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 |
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Saturn LS VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 6 recall campaigns and 303 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Saturn LS.
Where was my LS built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 303 dated Saturn LS VINs it reads Y 97%, Z 3%.
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