How to Tell if a Vehicle Is AWD by VIN: A Practical Guide

Understanding the VIN and drivetrain

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code that identifies a vehicle and encodes basic facts about it. The first three characters identify the manufacturer, the middle section describes the vehicle, and the final portion includes year, plant, and the serial number. While the VIN helps confirm a car's make, model, and configuration, drivetrain details (such as all-wheel drive) are not consistently encoded across all brands. In many cases, AWD information appears in build data or option codes rather than being reliably listed in the VIN itself.

Does the VIN always include AWD information?

No. Drivetrain details are not standardized across all manufacturers. Some brands may include AWD in option/RPO codes within the VIN’s vehicle descriptor section or in the accompanying build data, while others do not encode drivetrain data in the VIN at all. Because of this variability, you shouldn’t rely on the VIN alone to confirm AWD.

Practical steps to verify AWD from the VIN

• Use an official or trusted VIN decoder or the manufacturer’s portal to pull the vehicle’s build data. Look for fields labeled drivetrain, AWD, or all-wheel drive.
• Check the full build sheet or the window sticker (Monroney label) if you have access; it lists all included drivetrain options.
• If you still can’t confirm, contact the dealer or manufacturer with the VIN and ask for the drivetrain specification in the build data.
• Be aware that third-party VIN decoders may show AWD information inconsistently; verify any such result against official sources.

When the VIN isn't enough: other sources

• Review the owner’s manual or service history for mentions of AWD or drive mode systems.
• Check the vehicle’s badges, undercar components (such as differential or transfer case), or the owner’s documentation for AWD indicators.
• Use official portals (dealer or manufacturer) or trusted vehicle history reports to cross-check drivetrain details.

Quick recap

• The VIN helps identify the vehicle, but AWD status is not guaranteed by the VIN alone.
• To verify AWD, pull the build data via an official decoder or build sheet, check the window sticker, or ask the dealer.
• Cross-check with multiple sources when accuracy matters.