Decoding the 2012 Cruze VIN

[70AARCUDA]

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-position alpha-numeric coding that is required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulation 565 which identifies specific information about the vehicle (bit-position, from left to right):

..(1-thru-3) = World Make/Manufacturer Identifier--who & where the vehicle was made.
...(4 and 5) = Vehicle Line and Vehicle Series--LS, LT, LTZ, Eco, etc.
.........(6) = Body Type--Sedan, Coupe, Convertible, etc.
.........(7) = Restraint System
.........(8) = Engine Type--1.4LT, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L, etc.
.........(9) = Check Digit
........(10) = Model Year--2011, 2012, 2013, etc.
........(11) = Plant Location--Lordstown, OH.
(12-thru-17) = Sequence/Serial Number--from 100001 and up.

Bit position #8 is important because it identifies the ENGINE TYPE the vehicle was originally equipped with. You will usually be asked for this encoded value whenever service or parts are needed for your vehicle and engine.

Below is an example for a fictious 2012 Cruze LTZ:

Below are links to 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (new) GM Passenger Car Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) documents:

• 2011 VIN: http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard 2011 car.pdf
• 2012 VIN: http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard 2012 car.pdf
• 2013 VIN: http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard 2013 car.pdf
• 2014 VIN: http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard14%20car%2008-13-13%20r1.4.pdf
• 2015 VIN: http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard15%20car%2011-06-13%20r1.0.pdf