Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?

Here is the VIN # as stamped on the little steel plate beneath the windshield on my truck:

1FTDW2X18VNC*****

Now, if you punch that number into the CarFax database or if say, your dealer tries to bring your truck up on his computer, it won't work because that VIN # is invalid.

According to my Haynes Repair Manual, the 8th digit should be the "Engine Code Designator" and should be one of the following:

2.... = 4.2L V6
W.... = 4.6L (Romeo) V8
6.... = 4.6L (Windsor) V8
L.... = 5.4L V8

If you count it out on the plate affixed to my vehicle, the 8th digit of my VIN is a 1, so that can't be right.

Now, the bar code label affixed to the front of my Owners Manual (and my Title, Registration, Insurance card, etc...) all list the number differently... here are the two numbers one on top of the other so you
can see the difference:

1FTDW2X18VNC***** ...... on the truck
1FTDX18W2VNC***** ...... on everything else.

Notice that the "W2" combination changes position from before the "X18" combination to after the "X18" combination.

I called Ford Customer Service two days ago, the Gentleman on the phone was very polite and attemted to be helpful... he said I was indeed correct that the VIN affixed to my vehicle was invalid, he also said he had never heard of anything like this before. I was put on hold while he checked with the "research department" (whatever that is) but was eventually told that because I had purchased the vehicle "used" from a private individual that Ford could not assume any liability for this error, that they suspected some type of fraud was committed. He referred me to my local dealer and said he would look further into the matter and call back the following day, though he never did.

There is absolutely no evidence of tampering on the VIN plate, the rivets are intact and the Ford "watermark" background is present. I purchased the vehicle from the original owner and all of the DMV records are complete and accurate as is the report from CarFax... I have no reason to suspect anything other than somebody at Ford making a simple mistake!

I'm concerned that this could pose some potential problems in the future, say for instance, if my vehicle is ever stolen, or if I attempt to sell the vehicle, or possibly even if I just get pulled over by the police
for a minor traffic infraction.

I intend to follow up on this and will keep you posted but in the meantime, if anyone has ever had a problem like this or if you have any advice or comments on this, please let me know.

Sorry for the long post.
Thanks in advance,
T

(also posted under "General Discussion")

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'97 F-150 4X4
4.6, automatic
3 door extended cab
short bed
Teal on Black
B&M ShiftPlus+ installed
Fog lights W/O headlights
tedoca@erols.com