How do I decode the VIN on a 2004 Outback?

 

For now, it is simple curiousity. I did notice somewhere online that sold touch-up paint for Subarus that they asked for a VIN. This got me thinking about how details like this were coded into the VIN for my future reference.

The only thing you need for touch-up paint is the paint code, which should be on the plate on the driver's front strut tower...

 

Decoding VIN's isn't that hard... Yours is a Legacy, which is built in Indiana, so the VIN will probably start with a 4S. It's a Legacy Wagon 3rd-gen, so your chassis code should be BH... Not sure of the year and trim codes, but the last six indicate the exact number that yours rolled off the line... 047645 means yours was the 47,645th one produced...

this is for the first gen legacies....but should give you an idea....

 

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru_manual_scans/FSM_Scans/VIN_decode.jpg

I was looking to decode the VIN knowing that eventually I would need details like touch-up paint code, engine type info, etc.

 

The fates stepped in and expedited my need for the paint code (which I did pull off the label under the hood)...

 

With 450 miles on this new 2004 car, a deer decides to run right into my front qtr panel. Big ole dent. What bummer. $550 to replace qtr panel. Luckily no other damage. Body work always bugs me. It never seems to be the same as factory. Paint blending, rattles, etc never seem just right. Oh well, that's life.