Free Scion VIN Decoder
Scion VIN Decoder & Lookup Tool
A Scion VIN decoder translates the 17-character VIN into the vehicle's factory identity — year, model, trim, engine, transmission, drivetrain, body style, and assembly plant — using the official NHTSA vPIC database. CarWhere's Scion decoder is free with no account, and pairs every decode with verified buyer transaction prices for the same Scion, so you see both what the vehicle is and what people actually paid for it.
Reviewed by the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Last updated 2026-06-11
Try a sample: JTLZE4FE1FJ071234Sample 2015 Scion tC format — Japan-built.
Enter a VIN to Decode
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About Scion
Scion was Toyota's youth brand (2003-2016); its models were rebadged into the Toyota lineup. Scion VINs decode through NHTSA like any Toyota, and the FR-S famously carries a Subaru (JF1) VIN — a quirk a decoder makes obvious instantly.
What a Scion VIN Tells You
Every Scion VIN encodes 13 distinct vehicle attributes. Our decoder surfaces the ones that matter most for identifying, valuing, and researching a specific Scion:
Year
Model year — encoded in character 10 of the VIN
Model & Trim
Specific Scion model line and trim level
Engine
Displacement, cylinder count, and fuel type
Transmission
Automatic, manual, CVT, or DCT — and gear count
Drive Type
AWD, FWD, RWD, or 4WD configuration
Body Style
Sedan, SUV, truck, hatchback, coupe, convertible
Plant
Where this specific Scion was assembled
Country
Country of origin — derived from the WMI prefix
How a Scion VIN Is Structured
All modern Scion VINs follow ISO 3779 — the international 17-character VIN standard adopted in 1981. The 17 characters break into four fixed sections:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
For Scion, the WMI is typically JTL, JTK, JF1. Most Scions carry Japan-built Toyota WMIs (JTL, JTK); the FR-S was built by Subaru and carries a JF1 VIN.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Encodes the Scion model line, body style, restraint system, and engine. Position 8 specifically identifies the engine — the most ambiguous character because the same digit can mean different engines on different Scion models.
Check Digit
A mathematical checksum derived from the other 16 characters. If a Scion VIN doesn't pass the check-digit test, it's either a typo or a forgery.
Model Year
A single character encoding the model year. Examples on a Scion: L = 2020, M = 2021, N = 2022, P = 2023, R = 2024, S = 2025, T = 2026.
Plant Code
Identifies the specific Scion assembly plant. Scion operates plants in Takaoka, Japan, Iwata, Japan, Ota, Japan (FR-S at Subaru).
Sequential Production Number
The unique six-character serial number for that specific Scion unit. Two Scion vehicles with the same year, model, trim, and plant will differ only in this final segment.
Popular Scion Models
The most common Scion models by U.S. sales volume. Click any model to see verified buyer transactions and current pricing on CarWhere.
Where Scion Vehicles Are Built
The 11th character of a Scion VIN identifies the assembly plant. Scion operates the following facilities that supply U.S.-market vehicles:
- •Takaoka, Japan
- •Iwata, Japan
- •Ota, Japan (FR-S at Subaru)
How to Decode a Scion VIN
Find the VIN on your Scion
Locate the 17-character VIN on the lower driver's-side corner of the windshield, the driver's door jamb, your registration, or your insurance card.
Enter the VIN
Type or paste the 17-character VIN into the decoder above. We strip spaces and dashes automatically and convert lowercase letters to uppercase. The tool rejects VINs containing I, O, or Q.
Decode instantly
Click "Decode VIN." Our server queries the NHTSA vPIC database and returns the full vehicle specification in under a second.
See what buyers paid for the same Scion
If we have verified buyer transactions for the decoded year/make/model, we surface the average selling price, average discount off MSRP, and total verified deal count — and link you to the full Scion model page.
Scion VIN year chart (10th character)
The 10th character of every Scion VIN encodes the model year under the federal VIN standard. Letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are never used; the cycle repeats every 30 years (so "A" means 2010 on modern vehicles, 1980 on classics).
Sources and limitations
CarWhere's Scion VIN decoder uses NHTSA vPIC, the U.S. government VIN-decoding platform built from manufacturer-submitted vehicle data (model years 1981 and newer). Recall status for a specific VIN can be confirmed at the official NHTSA recall lookup. Decode results may be limited for non-US-market vehicles, gray-market imports, or VIN patterns with incomplete manufacturer submissions. A VIN decode does not show accident, title, lien, mileage, or theft history.
Scion VIN Decoder FAQ
What does a Scion VIN decoder tell you?
A Scion VIN decoder reveals the model year, model name, trim level, engine type and displacement, transmission, drive type, body style, and assembly plant of any Scion vehicle. It uses NHTSA vPIC, the public VIN-decoding platform built from manufacturer-submitted data (model year 1981-forward); decode fields vary by model year and manufacturer submission. It does not show accident or ownership history.
What does a Scion VIN start with?
Scion VINs typically start with JTL, JTK, JF1. Most Scions carry Japan-built Toyota WMIs (JTL, JTK); the FR-S was built by Subaru and carries a JF1 VIN.
Where is the VIN on a Scion?
The easiest place to find the VIN on a Scion is the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side dashboard, visible from outside the vehicle. It's also printed on the driver's door jamb sticker, the vehicle title, the registration card, and the insurance card. On older models the VIN may be stamped on the engine block or firewall.
How many characters is a Scion VIN?
Every Scion VIN is exactly 17 characters — a mix of letters and numbers. Like all modern VINs, Scion VINs never contain the letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with the digits 1, 0, and 9. A Scion VIN with fewer or more than 17 characters is either a partial reference or an error.
Is the Scion VIN decoder really free?
Yes. CarWhere's Scion VIN decoder is completely free with no signup, account, or credit card required. We use the NHTSA vPIC API — the official U.S. government VIN database that every U.S.-market Scion is filed against. We additionally cross-reference the decoded year, make, and model against verified buyer transactions in our deal database.
Where are Scion vehicles built?
Scion operates assembly plants in Takaoka, Japan, Iwata, Japan, Ota, Japan (FR-S at Subaru). The 11th character of a Scion VIN identifies the specific plant of manufacture, while the first three characters (the World Manufacturer Identifier) identify the country.
Can I check Scion recalls by VIN?
Yes — once you decode a Scion VIN here, you can cross-reference open recalls at the official NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Scion also operates an owner portal where logged-in owners can view recall status and schedule free repairs at any authorized Scion dealer.
Does a Scion VIN reveal accident history?
No. A VIN decode reveals factory specifications only — make, model, trim, engine, plant. To check accident history, salvage titles, or odometer rollback on a Scion, you need a vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck, both of which use the VIN as the lookup key but pull from insurance and DMV records.
VIN Decoders for Other Makes
Decoded a Scion VIN? Get the full picture for $9.99.
The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers any Scion VIN: full federal decode, open recalls, owner complaints, and service-bulletin history. One-time, no subscription.