Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Vehicle Certification (VC) Codes: Notes
The upper portion of the vehicle certification (VC) label contains the manufacturer's name, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement and the VIN. It also includes gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The VC label is located on the left-hand door jamb.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Exterior paint code |
| 2 | Region code |
| 3 | Domestic special order |
| 4 | Wheelbase code |
| 5 | Interior trim code |
| 6 | Tape/paint stripe code |
| 7 | Radio code |
| 8 | Axle code |
| 9 | Transmission code |
| 10 | Spring code |
| 11 | Powertrain calibration information |
Exterior paint codes may be listed as a 2-part code. The first set of characters identify the primary body color. The second set of characters (if applicable) identify the vehicle accent or 2-tone body color. All colors are base coat/clear coat
Exterior Color Codes
- DV - Light Tundra/Titanium Green
- G2 - Redfire
- G9 - Vista Blue
- GW - Orange Crush
- ND - Dune Pearl
- NH - Light Sage
- T7 - Charcoal Beige
- T8 - Tungsten Silver
- UA - Ebony
- YN - Silver Metallic
- YZ - Oxford White
- 103 - 103 inch (2,616 mm) wheelbase
Interior trim codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first character identifies the interior trim type. The second character identifies the interior trim color.
Interior Trim Type
- A - Captain's cloth seats - Ford Escape
- C - Imola leather seats - Ford Escape
- I - Impulse cloth seats - Ford Escape
- M - Herringbone cloth seats - Mercury Mariner
- N - Imola leather sport seats - Ford Escape
- P - Premium leather seats - Mercury Mariner
- S - Premium leather seats with suede inserts - Mercury Mariner
- W - Twill cloth - Ford Escape
Interior Trim Color
- 2 - Medium Dark Flint
- B - Ebony
- H - Medium Pebble
Tape and paint stripe codes do not apply.
- 4 - Lowline AM/FM stereo with cassette, clock and removable bezel
- 5 - Premium AM/FM stereo with compact disc (CD) player
- 6 - AM/FM stereo with clock, cassette and CD player
- 8 - AM/FM stereo with CD changer and clock
- B - AM/FM stereo (modular) with 6-disc CD changer (in-dash)
- N - AM/FM stereo with CD changer and navigation system
- T - Premium AM/FM stereo with CD changer and clock
- X - AM/FM stereo with CD changer (CDX6)
- Z - Electronic AM/FM stereo with CD player and clock
- 96 - 2.93 axle ratio
- 3 - 5-speed manual
- 4 - 4-speed automatic
- H - CVT automatic, power split electronic (Hybrid)
Spring codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first 2 characters identify the RH and LH front springs. The third and fourth characters identify the RH and LH rear springs.
Front Springs
- A - 5M64-5310-AA (coil)
- B - 5L84-5310-BA (coil)
- C - 5L84-5310-CA (coil)
- E - 5L84-5310-EA (coil)
- F - 5L84-5310-FA (coil)
- G - 5L84-5310-GA (coil)
Rear Springs
- A - 5M64-5726-AA (leaf)
- D - 5L84-5726-DA (leaf)
- E - 5L84-5726-EA (leaf)
- F - 5L84-5726-FA (leaf)
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.