Most Subaru SVX VINs open with JF1 (Japan, 1992–1997). Position 11, the plant, shows 3 codes, most often H (91%); a 1997 SVX carries V in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 0 recall campaigns and 209 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Subaru SVX VIN
Here is a real 1992 Subaru SVX VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JF1CX3530NH101213 — 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. |
Subaru SVX VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Subaru SVX we have on record, from 1992 to 1997, opens with the same three characters, JF1:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF1 | 1992–1997 | Japan | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Subaru SVX it is not one number either — assembly moved between 3 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| H | 1992–1997 | 190 | |
| K | 1994–1994 | 14 | |
| 1 | 1992–1995 | 3 |
Counted from 207 dated Subaru SVX VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Subaru SVX
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Subaru SVX has not yet outlived: its 6 years still map one-to-one. All 6 model years of the Subaru SVX, 1992 to 1997, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | V | — |
| 1996 | T | — |
| 1995 | S | — |
| 1994 | R | — |
| 1993 | P | — |
| 1992 | N | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Subaru SVX VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 3 VINs the Subaru SVX uses 3 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | C (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | X (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 3 (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Subaru SVX VIN gets you
Behind a Subaru SVX VIN: 209 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Owner complaints | 209 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 18 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 6 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Subaru SVX
A Subaru SVX VIN normally opens with JF1; 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 Subaru SVX VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows the recalls and 209 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Subaru SVX.
What year is my SVX by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 1997 SVX carries V, a 1996 SVX carries T, a 1995 SVX carries S.
Where was my SVX built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 209 dated Subaru SVX VINs it reads H 91%, K 7%, 1 1%.
What does position 4 mean on a Subaru SVX VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 3 Subaru SVX VINs here, C 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 Subaru SVX check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JF1. 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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