NHTSA VIN Decoder API — vPIC Endpoints & a Free Decoder
Want the NHTSA VIN decoder API? NHTSA publishes the free vPIC (Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing) API for programmatic VIN decoding. This page summarizes the key endpoints and what they return — and gives you an instant in-browser decoder if you'd rather just decode a VIN now.
Free · instant · no signup · 17-character VIN
The vPIC API in brief
NHTSA's vPIC API is a free, public, no-API-key service for decoding VINs against the manufacturer data carmakers file with the US government. The core endpoints are DecodeVin (full variable list for a VIN), DecodeVinValues (the same data flattened into a single object), and DecodeVinExtended. You append /vehicles/DecodeVin/{VIN}?format=json&modelyear={year} to the vPIC base URL, and passing the model year improves accuracy because some VDS characters are year-dependent.
Responses are available in JSON, XML and CSV. The API also exposes companion endpoints like GetWMIsForManufacturer and GetMakesForVehicleType. Because it is free and unauthenticated, it is rate-limited and best used with reasonable request volumes and caching; it returns the manufacturer-reported specifications, not title, accident or odometer history.
What the API can't give you
The vPIC API decodes specifications only. It does not return salvage or title brands, accident records, odometer history, theft records or open recalls — those come from NMVTIS, state DMVs and other databases. Our decoder builds on NHTSA's specification data and pairs it with an optional full history report keyed to the same VIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NHTSA VIN decoder API free?
Yes. NHTSA's vPIC API is free and requires no API key. It is rate-limited, so use reasonable request volumes and cache results. It returns manufacturer-reported specifications only.
What is the difference between DecodeVin and DecodeVinValues?
DecodeVin returns the decoded data as a list of variable/value rows; DecodeVinValues returns the same information flattened into a single object with one property per variable, which is easier to consume in code.
Does the vPIC API return vehicle history?
No. It decodes specifications from the VIN. Title brands, accidents, odometer and theft history come from NMVTIS and state databases — not from the vPIC API.
Related VIN Decoders
More brand- and format-specific decoders in the same family.
Want the Full Story Behind This VIN?
A decode shows the factory specs. A history report adds accidents, title brands, odometer fraud, theft records and open recalls — sourced from NMVTIS and every state DMV.
Run a Free VIN CheckNMVTIS-sourced · DPPA compliant
Always check the VIN before you buy
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Decode Another VIN
Paste any 17-character VIN to see the full position breakdown — manufacturer, model year, plant and engine.
Related VIN Checks
More tools to verify any vehicle's history