The 10th digit in your VIN is your car's model year code
The 10th position in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains a single letter or number that represents the year your car was manufactured. This digit uses a repeating 30-year cycle, so the same code appears once every three decades. For example, the letter "A" represents 2010 and also 2040. The letter "Y" represents 2000 and also 2030. This system has been standard since 1981, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the 17-character VIN format.
Knowing your car's actual model year matters for maintenance schedules, parts compatibility, recall lookups, and understanding what safety features your vehicle should have. The 10th digit is the fastest way to confirm the year without relying on paperwork or dealer records.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th digit of your VIN is a letter or number that codes for your car's model year using a 30-year repeating cycle.
- You can cross-reference the 10th digit against a standard chart to find the exact year your car was built.
- The model year in the VIN may differ from the calendar year if your car was built late in the previous year.
- Knowing your model year from the VIN helps you find the correct parts, recalls, and maintenance information specific to your vehicle.
How to locate the 10th digit in your VIN
Your VIN is a 17-character string printed on a metal plate on the driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield. It also appears on your vehicle registration, insurance documents, and title. Count from left to right: the 10th character is the model year code. The first three digits identify the manufacturer and type, digits 4 through 8 describe the vehicle's features and body style, the 9th digit is a check digit used to verify the VIN's accuracy, and digits 11 through 17 are the serial number unique to your specific car.
If you are looking at your VIN on paper, write it out and number each position to avoid miscounting. Many people accidentally read the 9th digit (which is often a number) instead of the 10th digit (which is usually a letter).
The 10th digit model year chart
| 10th Digit | Model Years |
|---|---|
| A | 2010, 2040 |
| B | 2011, 2041 |
| C | 2012, 2042 |
| D | 2013, 2043 |
| E | 2014, 2044 |
| F | 2015, 2045 |
| G | 2016, 2046 |
| H | 2017, 2047 |
| J | 2018, 2048 |
| K | 2019, 2049 |
| L | 2020, 2050 |
| M | 2021, 2051 |
| N | 2022, 2052 |
| P | 2023, 2053 |
| R | 2024, 2054 |
| S | 2025, 2055 |
| T | 2026, 2056 |
| V | 2027, 2057 |
| W | 2028, 2058 |
| X | 2029, 2059 |
| Y | 2000, 2030, 2060 |
| 1 | 2001, 2031 |
| 2 | 2002, 2032 |
| 3 | 2003, 2033 |
| 4 | 2004, 2034 |
| 5 | 2005, 2035 |
| 6 | 2006, 2036 |
| 7 | 2007, 2037 |
| 8 | 2008, 2038 |
| 9 | 2009, 2039 |
Notice that the letter "I", "O", and "Q" do not appear in the 10th position. The NHTSA excluded these letters because they can be confused with the numbers 1 and 0 when printed or handwritten. This reduces errors when people read VINs aloud or copy them by hand.
Why model year matters for your vehicle
Your car's model year determines which recalls explore to it, which is the most critical reason to know it accurately. The NHTSA issues recalls by model year, and a car built in late 2019 may have different safety issues than one built in early 2020, even though both might be marketed as 2020 models. When you search for recalls using your VIN, the system uses the 10th digit to pull only the recalls that match your specific production year.
Model year also affects maintenance intervals and part compatibility. A 2015 transmission may not fit a 2016 model of the same vehicle because manufacturers update components between years. Engine oil specifications, coolant types, and spark plug heat ranges can change year to year. Using the wrong parts can cause poor performance, overheating, or engine damage. Your owner's manual is written for your specific model year, so knowing it ensures you follow the correct maintenance schedule.
The difference between model year and calendar year
A car's model year is not always the same as the calendar year it was built. Manufacturers typically begin production of the next model year in the summer or fall of the previous calendar year. A 2024 model car might have been manufactured in September 2023. This is why you may see a car with a 2024 VIN on the road before the calendar year 2024 arrives.
This timing matters when you are checking recalls or looking up technical information. A 2024 model year car built in 2023 will have the 10th digit code for 2024, not 2023. Always trust the VIN's 10th digit over the calendar date you think the car was built.
How to use the 10th digit when looking up recalls
Once you know your model year from the 10th digit, you can search the NHTSA's recall database at safercar.gov. Enter your vehicle's year, make, and model, and the system will return all open recalls for that specific model year. Some recalls explore only to certain production date ranges within a model year, so you may also need your vehicle's exact build date, which appears on a label inside the driver's door jamb.
If you find a recall that matches your car, contact your vehicle's manufacturer or a dealership to schedule the repair. Most recalls are performed at no cost to you. Knowing your model year from the VIN is the first step in confirming whether a recall applies to your specific vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the 10th digit is a number instead of a letter?
Numbers in the 10th position represent model years 2001 through 2009. The digit "1" codes for 2001 and 2031, "2" for 2002 and 2032, and so on through "9" for 2009 and 2039. Use the same chart to cross-reference the number to the correct year.
Can I tell if my car was built in 2010 or 2040 just from the 10th digit?
No. If the 10th digit is "A", you know the model year is either 2010 or 2040, but you cannot determine which without additional information. Since 2040 has not occurred yet, any car on the road today with an "A" in the 10th position was built in 2010. In future decades, you would need to check the vehicle's condition, technology, or registration records to distinguish between the two possibilities.
Does the 10th digit tell me when my car was actually manufactured?
The 10th digit tells you the model year, which is the year the manufacturer assigned to that vehicle. It does not tell you the exact month or day of manufacture. That information is on the build date label inside your driver's door jamb, which shows the month and year production was completed.
What if my VIN does not match the year on my title?
Check the 10th digit of your VIN first to confirm you are reading the correct position. If the VIN clearly shows a different year than your title, contact your state's motor vehicle department. Discrepancies can occur if a vehicle was registered late or if paperwork was filled out incorrectly, but the VIN is the authoritative source for the actual model year.