Most Tesla Model S VINs open with 5YJ (the United States, 2012–2022). Position 11, the plant, reads F; a 2026 Model S carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 39 recall campaigns and 1,139 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Tesla Model S VIN
Here is a real 2026 Tesla Model S VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 5YJSA1E50TF553978 — 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. |
Tesla Model S VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Tesla Model S we have on record, from 2012 to 2022, opens with the same three characters, 5YJ:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5YJ | 2012–2022 | United States | Passenger Car |
Counted from 1,137 dated Tesla Model S VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Tesla Model S
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Tesla Model S has not yet outlived: its 15 years still map one-to-one. All 15 model years of the Tesla Model S, 2012 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 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Tesla Model S VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 188 VINs the Tesla Model S uses 8 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | S (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | A (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 2 (33%) · 5 (21%) · 6 (15%) · 1 (12%) · 4 (12%) · N (3%) | 6 distinct |
What a decoded Tesla Model S VIN gets you
Behind a Tesla Model S VIN: 1,139 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 39 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 1,139 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 110 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 4 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 15 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Tesla Model S
A Tesla Model S VIN normally opens with 5YJ; 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 Tesla Model S VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 39 recall campaigns and 1,139 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Tesla Model S.
What year is my Model S by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Model S carries T, a 2025 Model S carries S, a 2024 Model S carries R.
Where was my Model S built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 1,139 dated Tesla Model S VINs it reads F 100%.
What does position 4 mean on a Tesla Model S VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 188 Tesla Model S VINs here, S 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 Tesla Model S check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with 5YJ. 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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