Most Subaru DL VINs open with JF1 (Japan, 1988–1989) or JF2 (Japan, 1986–1987). Position 11, the plant, shows 5 codes, most often B (43%); a 1989 DL carries K in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 6 recall campaigns and 7 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 Subaru DL VIN
Every Subaru DL 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. |
Subaru DL VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Subaru DL VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is JF1 (Japan, 1988–1989), then JF2 (Japan, 1986–1987):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF2 | 1986–1987 | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | |
| JF1 | 1988–1989 | Japan | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Subaru DL it is not one number either — assembly moved between 5 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1988–1989 | 3 | |
| D | 1986–1986 | 1 | |
| F | 1987–1987 | 1 | |
| E | 1987–1987 | 1 | |
| C | 1988–1988 | 1 |
Counted from 7 dated Subaru DL VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Subaru DL
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Subaru DL has not yet outlived: its 9 years still map one-to-one. All 9 model years of the Subaru DL, 1981 to 1989, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | K | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
| 1986 | G | — |
| 1985 | F | — |
| 1984 | E | — |
| 1983 | D | — |
| 1982 | C | — |
| 1981 | B | — |
What a decoded Subaru DL VIN gets you
Behind a Subaru DL VIN: 7 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 6 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 7 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 25 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 9 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Subaru DL
Four places on a Subaru DL 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 |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Subaru DL VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 6 recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Subaru DL.
Why does my DL VIN start differently from another DL?
Because the Subaru DL was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Subaru DL VINs on record we see 2 of them: JF2 (1986–1987), JF1 (1988–1989). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my DL by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 1989 DL carries K, a 1988 DL carries J, a 1987 DL carries H.
Where was my DL built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 7 dated Subaru DL VINs it reads B 43%, D 14%, F 14%, E 14% and 1 rarer codes.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Subaru DL check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JF1 or JF2. 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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