Most Subaru XT VINs open with JF1 (Japan, 1986–1989) or JF2 (Japan, 1986–1987). Position 11, the plant, shows 4 codes, most often B (43%); a 1991 XT carries M in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 5 recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Subaru XT VIN
Every Subaru XT 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 XT VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Subaru XT VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is JF1 (Japan, 1986–1989), then JF2 (Japan, 1986–1987):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF1 | 1986–1989 | Japan | Passenger Car | |
| JF2 | 1986–1987 | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Subaru XT it is not one number either — assembly moved between 4 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1986–1989 | 3 | |
| D | 1987–1988 | 2 | |
| F | 1986–1986 | 1 | |
| H | 1988–1988 | 1 |
Counted from 7 dated Subaru XT VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Subaru XT
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Subaru XT has not yet outlived: its 7 years still map one-to-one. All 7 model years of the Subaru XT, 1985 to 1991, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | M | — |
| 1990 | L | — |
| 1989 | K | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
| 1986 | G | — |
| 1985 | F | — |
What a decoded Subaru XT VIN gets you
Behind a Subaru XT VIN: 7 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 5 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 7 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 23 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 7 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Subaru XT
Four places on a Subaru XT 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 XT VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 5 recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Subaru XT.
Why does my XT VIN start differently from another XT?
Because the Subaru XT was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Subaru XT VINs on record we see 2 of them: JF1 (1986–1989), JF2 (1986–1987). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my XT by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 1991 XT carries M, a 1990 XT carries L, a 1989 XT carries K.
Where was my XT built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 7 dated Subaru XT VINs it reads B 43%, D 29%, F 14%, H 14%.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Subaru XT 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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