The 10th digit in your VIN is the model year code
The 10th position in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains a single letter or number that represents the year the vehicle 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 both 2010 and 1980, while "Y" represents both 2000 and 1980. To know which decade your vehicle belongs to, you need to cross-reference the 10th digit with the 1st digit, which identifies the country of manufacture.
Manufacturers use this standardized system because it allows them to encode production year information in a way that's consistent across all vehicles sold in North America. The 10th digit is one of the most useful pieces of information in a VIN when you're trying to verify a vehicle's age, check recall history, or understand which generation of a model you're looking at.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th digit cycles through letters A–Y and numbers 0–9 on a 30-year repeating schedule, so you must check the 1st digit to determine the correct decade.
- Model year codes run from January through December of the calendar year, not from the vehicle's actual assembly date.
- A vehicle with a 10th digit of "M" built in 2021 is not the same model year as one with "M" built in 1991, even though they share the same code.
- The 10th digit is particularly useful when cross-referencing recalls, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database filters results by model year.
- You can verify the 10th digit against your vehicle's title or registration documents to confirm the manufacturer's stated model year.
How the 10th digit model year code works
The 10th digit uses a fixed sequence that repeats every 30 years. The sequence begins with "Y" for 2000 and continues through the alphabet, skipping the letter "I" and "O" to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0. After "Y" comes "A" for 2010, then "B" for 2011, and so on. This pattern means that a vehicle with a 10th digit of "A" could have been built in 1980, 2010, or 2040.
To determine which decade applies to your vehicle, look at the 1st digit of the VIN. This digit identifies the country where the vehicle was built. For North American vehicles, the 1st digit is typically 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Once you know the country and the 10th digit code, you can narrow down the model year to a specific 10-year window. From there, you can confirm the exact year by checking your vehicle's title, registration, or the manufacturer's documentation.
The model year assigned by the manufacturer does not always match the calendar year in which the vehicle was actually built. Manufacturers often begin production of the next model year in the previous calendar year. A vehicle with a 10th digit of "M" might have rolled off the assembly line in September 2021 but carry a 2022 model year designation.
The complete 10th digit model year chart
| 10th Digit | 2000–2009 | 2010–2019 | 2020–2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
| 1 | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
| 2 | 2002 | 2012 | 2022 |
| 3 | 2003 | 2013 | 2023 |
| 4 | 2004 | 2014 | 2024 |
| 5 | 2005 | 2015 | 2025 |
| 6 | 2006 | 2016 | 2026 |
| 7 | 2007 | 2017 | 2027 |
| 8 | 2008 | 2018 | 2028 |
| 9 | 2009 | 2019 | 2029 |
| A | 1980 | 2010 | 2040 |
| B | 1981 | 2011 | 2041 |
| C | 1982 | 2012 | 2042 |
| D | 1983 | 2013 | 2043 |
| E | 1984 | 2014 | 2044 |
| F | 1985 | 2015 | 2045 |
| G | 1986 | 2016 | 2046 |
| H | 1987 | 2017 | 2047 |
| J | 1988 | 2018 | 2048 |
| K | 1989 | 2019 | 2049 |
| L | 1990 | 2020 | 2050 |
| M | 1991 | 2021 | 2051 |
| N | 1992 | 2022 | 2052 |
| P | 1993 | 2023 | 2053 |
| R | 1994 | 2024 | 2054 |
| S | 1995 | 2025 | 2055 |
| T | 1996 | 2026 | 2056 |
| V | 1997 | 2027 | 2057 |
| W | 1998 | 2028 | 2058 |
| X | 1999 | 2029 | 2059 |
Note that the letters I and O are skipped in the sequence to prevent confusion with the numerals 1 and 0. This is why the chart jumps from H to J and from N to P.
Using the 10th digit to check recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains a database of vehicle recalls organized by model year. When you search for recalls on the NHTSA website or through your manufacturer's recall portal, the model year derived from your 10th digit is the filter that determines which recalls explore to your vehicle. A recall issued for 2021 models will not appear in the results for 2011 models, even if both vehicles share the same 10th digit code of "M".
To search for recalls, visit the NHTSA website at safercar.gov, enter your full VIN, and the system will pull up all open recalls for your specific vehicle. The 10th digit ensures that the database returns only the recalls that match your vehicle's actual model year. This is why confirming the correct decade—by checking the 1st digit alongside the 10th—is important before relying on recall search results.
Why the 10th digit matters for vehicle history reports
Vehicle history services like Carfax and AutoCheck use the 10th digit as part of their matching process when they compile a vehicle's history from insurance claims, title transfers, and service records. If the 10th digit in the VIN does not match the model year listed on the title or registration, it can signal a title problem or a VIN mismatch that warrants further investigation.
When you order a vehicle history report, the service cross-references the 10th digit against the title history to confirm that all records belong to the same vehicle. A discrepancy here can indicate odometer fraud, a salvage title that was not properly disclosed, or a vehicle that has been rebuilt after a total loss. Checking the 10th digit yourself before you purchase a used vehicle is a quick way to spot potential red flags.
How to locate the 10th digit on your vehicle
Your VIN appears in several places on your vehicle and in your paperwork. The most common location is on a metal plate mounted on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the vehicle. The VIN also appears on your vehicle's title, registration, insurance documents, and the door jamb on the driver's side.
To find the 10th digit, count from left to right: the 1st digit is the first character, the 2nd digit is the second character, and so on. The 10th digit is the 10th character in the sequence. For example, in the VIN "1HGCV41JXMN109186", the 10th digit is "X", which corresponds to 1999 in the 1980–1999 decade (since the 1st digit is "1", indicating a North American vehicle).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the 10th digit tell me the exact month my vehicle was built?
No. The 10th digit only encodes the model year, not the month or specific date of manufacture. The month and day of production are not part of the standard VIN. Some manufacturers include this information in a separate production date code located elsewhere on the vehicle, such as on the engine block or inside the door jamb, but this varies by manufacturer.
What if my vehicle's 10th digit doesn't match the year on my title?
This can happen if the title was issued in error or if the vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title. Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and bring your title and VIN documentation. They can investigate whether the title year or the VIN is correct. Do not ignore this discrepancy, as it can affect insurance coverage and resale value.
Does the 10th digit change if I move to a different state?
No. The 10th digit is part of the VIN assigned by the manufacturer and never changes. Your vehicle's model year remains the same regardless of where you register it or how many times you move.
How do I know if a 10th digit code refers to the 1980s, 2000s, or 2010s?
Check the 1st digit of the VIN. For North American vehicles, the 1st digit is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. If your vehicle was built in North America and the 10th digit is "M", it is either 1991, 2021, or 2051. Since 2051 has not occurred yet, you can rule that out. Check your title or registration to confirm whether it is 1991 or 2021.
Can I use the 10th digit to determine if a vehicle is a lemon?
The 10th digit alone cannot tell you if a vehicle is a lemon. However, it helps you search for recalls and service bulletins specific to your model year. Once you know the correct model year from the 10th digit, you can search the NHTSA database and manufacturer websites for known issues affecting that year and model.