Most Toyota Yaris VINs open with JTD (Japan, 2007–2016). Position 11, the plant, shows 7 codes, most often 1 (44%); a 2026 Yaris carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 23 recall campaigns and 696 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Toyota Yaris VIN
Here is a real 2020 Toyota Yaris VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 3MYDLBJV3LY702209 — 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. |
Toyota Yaris VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Toyota Yaris VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is JTD (Japan, 2007–2016), then VNK (France, 2015–2017):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JTD | 2007–2016 | Japan | Passenger Car | |
| VNK | 2015–2017 | France | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Toyota Yaris it is not one number either — assembly moved between 7 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007–2015 | 303 | |
| 5 | 2007–2012 | 209 | |
| 4 | 2007–2011 | 80 | |
| Y | 2017–2020 | 45 | |
| A | 2015–2017 | 19 | |
| D | 2012–2014 | 18 | |
| L | 2011–2012 | 16 |
Counted from 644 dated Toyota Yaris VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Toyota Yaris
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Toyota Yaris has not yet outlived: its 20 years still map one-to-one. All 20 model years of the Toyota Yaris, 2007 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 | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Toyota Yaris VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 41 VINs the Toyota Yaris uses 8 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | J (34%) · B (32%) · K (24%) · D (10%) | 4 distinct |
| 5 — series | T (90%) · L (10%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 3 (90%) · V (10%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Toyota Yaris VIN gets you
Behind a Toyota Yaris VIN: 696 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 23 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 696 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 7 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 20 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Toyota Yaris
A Toyota Yaris VIN normally opens with JTD; 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 Toyota Yaris VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 23 recall campaigns and 696 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Toyota Yaris.
Why does my Yaris VIN start differently from another Yaris?
Because the Toyota Yaris was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Toyota Yaris VINs on record we see 2 of them: JTD (2007–2016), VNK (2015–2017). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my Yaris by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Yaris carries T, a 2025 Yaris carries S, a 2024 Yaris carries R.
Where was my Yaris built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 691 dated Toyota Yaris VINs it reads 1 44%, 5 30%, 4 12%, Y 7% and 3 rarer codes.
What does position 4 mean on a Toyota Yaris VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 41 Toyota Yaris VINs here, J is the most common character in position 4, on 34% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Toyota Yaris check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JTD. 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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